CHARLIE Davis is relishing the opportunity of heading back to one of his former clubs this afternoon when the Terras do battle at Poole Town in the FA Trophy (3pm).
The former AFC Bournemouth youngster was part of the Dolphins’ set-up under boss Tom Killick before making the switch to Dorchester and then Weymouth this summer.
The central midfielder, who lives right by Poole’s Tatnam home, is set to be part of Jason Matthews’ squad looking to overcome the Dolphins on their own patch and in turn book their place in the first round proper of the national competition.
He told Echosport: “I was sort of hoping that we got Poole in the draw to be honest. It’s somewhere that I like going back to.
“Poole Town’s ground is about two roads away from my house. When we got them I thought ‘oh that’s good’ and when I saw it was away I thought it’s a nice lie-in as well!”
And it’s not just the practicality that suits Davis with the Dorset derby, he has fond memories of playing at Poole as both a home and an away player.
“I played there last year for Dorchester and had a really good game there,” he added.
“I never envisaged at 21 that I would have been at all three of the clubs (Weymouth, Dorchester and Poole) to be honest. They are all completely different with completely different ambitions.
“I had a really good time at Poole, it just didn’t work out, I didn’t get the game time that I wanted. I was too young to be honest.
“It was always the same three people that would play in my position and I’d imagine that (today) the same three people will be playing there as well.”
He continued: “I left Poole to get game time and left on good terms but I think everyone knew that I believed I was good enough and I backed myself to be playing in Poole’s team but I wasn’t going to get the opportunities as quickly as I would have liked.
“It’s good to see they are doing so well but it will make it a bit sweeter if we go there and implement our game and do what we are planning to do to get the result that we want.
“The good thing about being so local and knowing so many of their players is the fact that you like to think you are quite savvy as to how they play and what they do.”
And for Davis on a personal level, the clash also has an added edge.
He said: “My best friend (Lewis Lindsay) plays for Poole and, if he plays, then there is certainly going to be no love lost.
“We have been friends since we were about four but I don’t know if he is playing. I doubt if I text him and ask him he is going to tell me!”
