Poole Town swoop for goal king Charles (From Thisisdorset)

Poole Town swoop for goal king Charles

6:51pm Tuesday 11th December 2012 in Latest Sport By Neil Perrett

POOLE Town have seen off interest from a host of other clubs to secure the services of prolific striker Michael Charles.

The former Farnborough, Woking and AFC Totton marksman has joined the Dolphins for a nominal fee from Southern League rivals Winchester City.

Charles agreed terms on an 18-month contract when he met Poole boss Tom Killick and vice-chairman Chris Reeves in Winchester earlier today.

The Camberley-based 25-year-old has netted nine times for City this season and is among the leading goalscorers in Division One South & West.

He was also a target for several other clubs with Southern League Premier Division outfit Gosport Borough and Didcot Town believed to have been among them.

Killick told the Daily Echo: “Michael is a proven goalscorer, both at this level and the level above. I think the fact that Gosport were also interested in him speaks volumes.

“To get someone of his quality and with his track record is a real boost for us. I always think that adding to your squad when you are doing well is often the best time because it sends out a message to other teams and shows we really do want to try to push on.

“Michael has been successful everywhere he has been and I am excited about having him. While he is a goalscorer, he is also a hard worker. He is a very good finisher, he gets in good positions and I am hoping he will score goals for us.”

Killick, who also has at his disposal dual-registered Dorchester striker Warren Byerley together with Karim Lamalli and Steve Brown, added: “We look very strong in terms of our attacking options which wasn’t the case earlier in the season.”

Charles penned a 12-month deal with Winchester City in the summer after leaving AFC Totton where he had spent two years, netting 44 goals in 80 appearances. He could be in line to make his debut when Poole visit Abingdon United on Saturday.