FORMER Chippenham loanee Aaron Oakley has set his sights on a return to the Football League following his release by Swindon Town at the end of last season, writes Andy Warren.

The tall defender arrived at Hardenhuish Park on loan during the latter stages of the campaign, looking to gain match fitness following a long-term foot injury. Despite at times looking a little rusty following his long lay-off, he impressed for the Bluebirds.

Oakley enjoyed his time under Mark Collier but the modest youngster is keen to reignite his career with a club playing at a much higher level than the Southern Premier.

“It’s quite quiet at the moment because everyone has shut up shop for a while, although there are a few rumours going around, but I might have to wait for a week or two before things pick up again.

“I really enjoyed my time at Chippenham but my aim is to get sorted with another Football League club, definitely.

"Chippenham were good to me and they helped me get my sharpness back but after being at Swindon all these years I’d like to think I could try and move on to another League club and show them what I’ve got.

“I just want to prove I am worth something.”

The Wootton Bassett-bred defender’s release from the Country Ground was particularly frustrating given his injured foot made it impossible for him to show his full potential under Paolo Di Canio, Kevin MacDonald or Mark Cooper.

He said: “It was really frustrating to be out injured so long and it started when Di Canio was here.

“It never got fixed because I spent time in a boot and I thought it was healed, but a scan showed it wasn’t and I had an operation so spent the best part of a year injured.

“My first year as a pro wasn’t one I look back on too fondly and I guess I was never able to show my full potential.

“I was desperate to show what I had but I never reached that so I’m really disappointed.”

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