ALAN Connell will spend the first few weeks of the summer weighing up his options after a season of personal frustration at Poole Town.

The ex-Cherries striker, 33, was the club’s marquee signing ahead of the campaign that culminated in the Southern League title and promotion to National South.

But amid the glory, Connell struggled to break into the side with just two starts and 18 substitute appearances in the Premier Division.

His sumptuous volley eight minutes after coming on in Poole’s 3-0 victory over Bideford on Tuesday marked only his second goal in the red and white at the end of a season that has left him with mixed emotions.

Connell told the Daily Echo: “It has been frustrating. The team has been flying and when I have played, I haven't pulled up any trees.

"People would probably have expected that considering my background. I haven't always played in my favoured position and opportunities have been few and far between but I have an enormous amount of respect for Tom (Killick, manager) and the job he has done.

"This is a great club and promotion has been a long time coming so, while it has been a tough season for me personally, I am delighted for the manager and my team-mates.

“I had been used to training full-time being in professional football for most of my life and with the injuries I had at Havant, the past couple of years have been tough.

“Maybe going part-time hasn’t quite worked out the way I had hoped but I have kept myself fit this season and always done my best for the club.”

On his future in the game, Connell added: “We will have to see what the future holds. No decision has been made on my part.

“When you have been a professional footballer for most of your life and you have that transition where you’re getting a bit older, you do have to start thinking about your future.

“I am coaching youngsters at AFC Bournemouth and really enjoying it. Longer term, that’s the way forward for me. I can’t go on forever.

“I need to have a think about what I want to do. I am doing that at the moment and will take a few weeks at the end of the season to consider every option.

“I haven’t spoken to the club yet but will no doubt talk to Tom soon and whatever happens, happens.

“In a weird way, I have still enjoyed the season. It has been great, even if I would have liked to have played a bigger part.”

Poole dominated a tame affair with top scorer Marvin Brooks making the breakthrough on 61 minutes after Tony Lee and Luke Burbidge passed up chances to pull the trigger.

On 70 minutes, Connell ghosted into the box to lash home Luke Roberts’s dinked ball from the right with Burbidge waltzing effortlessly round two defenders to thump home a third eight minutes from time.

Dolphins: Hutchings, Tallack, Lindsay, Walker, Whisken, Granger (Dickson, 62), Burbidge, Devlin (Gleeson, 69), Lee (Connell, 62), Brooks, Roberts. Unused subs: Spetch, Pettefer.