HAMWORTHY United gaffer Dan Cann has revealed how Weymouth boss Bobby Wilkinson helped shape his own managerial style.

Cann briefly played under Wilkinson at Hungerford in the 2014/15 season, chalking up eight appearances without scoring.

Wilkinson’s spell at Hungerford was immensely successful with two promotions and Cann admitted his personable style now influences his own approach.

And Cann’s methods appear to be working, with Hamworthy well amongst the Southern League Division One South play-off mix in fourth after winning the Wessex League in 2021/22.

FEATURE: Have Weymouth found their next king in Bobby Wilkinson?

Speaking to Echosport, Cann said: “Playing for Bobby, it was only a brief spell at Hungerford.

“It was a long way for me and I was travelling on my own but Bobby and Tommy (Killick, Poole boss) are similar in that they have a really strong morale.

“If you have good, solid members of your squad who stick together and play together, it can get you a long way, especially when you’re not dealing with as big a budget as there is in the rest of the league.

“What Bobby’s doing at Weymouth, that goes to show (what’s possible) when you’ve got that togetherness and you’ve got a manager like Bobby who everyone wanted to do well for – he was such a top bloke.

“I take things like that from Bobby and what I’ve learned in how I’d want to be managed.”

Cann also explained how maintaining a good relationship with Wilkinson has helped him at Hamworthy.

“That’s why I’ve still got that connection with Bobby, we still get on really well,” he said.

“He’s entrusted me to look after Frankie (Monk).

“I’m still having conversations with Bobby fairly regularly and he’s in a position where he says: ‘I know you, I trust you as a person and I know you want to do right by the lad. I trust that whatever you’re saying to Frankie is going to put him on the right path’.

“I’ve taken that, as much as anything else. It’s still early days for me in management and I’m sure there will be other bits I pick up on.

“Bobby’s been really helpful, lending his ear when I’ve needed it and asked for advice here and there. I’m really thankful for that.”