DORCHESTER Town boss Callum Brooks admitted “it was time for a change” after the Magpies replaced popular physio Emma Tonkin with Andy Phillips.

Phillips will take over the treatment table having completed a successful trial period with the Magpies following his move from Yeovil Town.

Brooks stressed that Tonkin had been “fantastic for the club” but conceded he desired to have his “own people” among his backroom staff.

He told Echosport: “I decided it was time for a change. (Emma) has been fantastic for the club.

“I suppose like any manager I want to get my own people around me. Like with anything at the club if I feel we need to make a change to make a step forward, I’m prepared to make a difficult decision.”

On Phillips, Brooks revealed he had been tipped off regarding the former Yeovil sports therapist’s availability.

He said: “We’ve got Andy, one of my contacts up at Yeovil suggested he may be available working in Yeovil’s setup.

“He’s good and he’s fitted into the group nicely which is important. Being a physio is more than just about treating the players.

“You have to be an integral part of the group and Andy came in on a trial basis. He came in at short notice which was very, very good of him.

“The lads have taken to him so I feel we’re in a good place there.”

Speaking to dorchestertownfc.co.uk, Phillips felt he needed to "be in charge" after moving from the Glovers.

He said: "I feel like I’ve fit in quite well. Cal has said that he had a good feeling about me and that I fit in with the team and with all the players too, and I’ve had good feedback from them.

“The move here is an opportunity for me, and while it was a really good experience for me at Yeovil, I really just wanted to be in charge again so I’ve been keeping my ear to the ground and obviously got a heads up about this role.

"Whereas at Yeovil I was working under people and had specific jobs I was doing, here I can do everything that I’ve built up over the years.

“I had a really bad knee injury when I was 22 and haven’t been able to play since, so that’s how I got into dealing with injuries – I have also been running a gym for the past ten years, so I come more from a health and exercise background.

“So far I’ve been enjoying it. We’ve got a few players back from a few little injuries as well and I’m getting to know the players and ones that I’m always hearing from already – players like Blairo who get stuck in, so when you’re someone as committed as he is you know you’re probably going to be seeing them quite regularly.

“I’ve also been looking at doing nutritional plans for them all and recovery, so it’s a bit more in depth where I’ve got the knowledge from personal training but also from working at a professional football club too.

“Football is my passion and I’ve definitely enjoyed the atmosphere around the dressing room and all the staff – people like Del who is one of the people that has been here for years, and you can tell that they are the type of people that nothing at the club would function without."

Dorchester travel to Weston-super-Mare in league action on Saturday (3pm).