Wimborne Town manager Tim Sills outlines clubs ambition

Wimborne Town’s manager Tim Sills has set out ambitious plans for the Magpies’ future, saying that he wants the Southern League outfit to be “Dorset’s premier non-league club”.

“In the next three-to-five years, we’re aiming to be in the National League South,” he said. “There will need to be things put in place for us to push on to the next level; but we want to make our way through the leagues, and there’s no reason we can’t”.

In order to achieve these goals, Wimborne first need to win promotion from the Southern League Division One South. They currently sit top of the league, with 24 points from 12 games, however second place Frome Town are only two points behind them with two games-in-hand.

Goalkeeping coach Ben Sullivan emphasised the importance of promotion, stating: “We have to get promoted. Ideally win the league. Otherwise it has to be through the playoffs, which is a lottery. We know that, the board knows that, and the players know that.”

Wimborne Town match reporter Graham Dunn has a more cautious outlook on the club’s promotion chances, saying: “Unless we can put away teams like Bemerton and Bideford I think it’ll be tough. There are some other good sides in the league, so I’m not convinced we’ll get promoted.”

Appointed in October of last year, with the club sat in 16th, Sills guided the Magpies to the play-offs last season. Missing out on promotion after defeat in the semi-final to eventual winners, Sholing.

The club then saw a large overhaul of players this summer, something Sills believes was imperative. “Ultimately, it was a squad I inherited when I took the job, so there were always going to be some big changes in that first year. It was about packing the squad with good characters and players that we feel can play at the level above.”

The changes appear to have had the desired effect, with the Magpies seven points better off than they were at this stage last season, and on track for promotion.

Wimborne are next in action this Saturday when they travel to fifth place Cribbs.