Bartlett takes aim against Beaconsfield (Photo Credit: Jon Ashworth / Side of the World)
Dolphins midfielder Dan Bartlett believes his first experience of men’s football can only be a good thing, as the former Southampton and Coventry player goes from strength-to-strength in his debut senior season.
Bartlett, Poole-born, joined the Dolphins this summer after his release from Coventry.
Speaking to All Poole Aren’t We, Bartlett said: “I think it’s been good. It’s been good for me to play men’s football and have a taste of what it is like.
“Obviously, coming down from academy football, I’ve never really had a taste of senior football, so it’s my first real season.
“I’ve started well and done okay. It’s a good level – there are a lot of good players at this level, and good football too.”
Originally spotted by Saints whilst playing for Corfe Mullen United, Bartlett left Southampton to join Coventry’s U23s in 2019.
However, his start to life in Warwickshire was thwarted by a nasty ACL injury.
“It was difficult,” continued Bartlett.
“I had just signed for the club, started really well there, made my debut in professional football, and then I got a bad injury – my ACL – and I was out for 14, 15 months.
“It was really hard to deal with, living away from home, and away from my family, but I think now I’m playing men’s football it’s definitely made me a lot stronger.
“I feel really fit, I feel really strong. Coming into men’s football is exactly what I needed at this stage of my career right now.
“It was hard to deal with, but I’m past that now.”
A county cricketer for Dorset in his youth, Bartlett hails from Broadstone, and has always kept an eye on the Dolphins’ results.
“I’m from Broadstone – I’ve followed Poole throughout my whole life, as a kid watching them and going to a few games, so I’ve always been aware and been a fan.”
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