Highmore happy as Smart stays put (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Highmore happy as Smart stays put

DARREN Smart has committed himself to Calne Town for the rest of the season after turning down a move to Screwfix Premier League side Paulton Rovers.

The defender has become hot property in the last few months after putting in a consistent run of assured performances but has decided to finish the season with Calne.

Larkhall Athletic came in with an approach for Smart yesterday but after turning down moves to Melksham Town and Paulton he will not be moving to Larkhall.

Smart said: "I am happy at Calne and I will definitely be here until the end of the season.

"It is nothing against any of the clubs that came in for me but I just felt it would not be fair on Calne to leave at this point of the season.

"I will look at the situation again in the summer and hopefully I will be able to move on to a bigger club."

Manager Kelvin Highmore said: "Darren is probably the best player I have ever managed and it is great for us he is staying till the end of the season.

"I am resigned to losing him in the summer because the lad deserves to be playing at a higher level. But who knows? He may not like what he sees and come back to us."

Striker Gary Banks has agreed on a move to Bremhill View from Melksham Town and could go into tomorrow's squad for the match at home to Weston St Johns.

Highmore has been looking for a striker for the last couple of weeks and he believes Banks' capture could be an important one.

He said: "I wanted Gary in the summer and it is great to finally land him after trying to sign him for so long. After signing his brother Kevin recently I believe the understanding the two have will be a big boost.

"He is one of those unpredictable strikers who could give us the end product that we showed we were lacking on Wednesday night."

Calne have suffered from inconsistency this season but Highmore believes he is building a team who will be a lot better next season.

He said: "This is my first campaign in sole charge and it has taken a while to start building the team I want. We are now looking at the bigger picture and trying to get players for next season.

"We have already proved this season that on our day we are as good as any team in this league and we just need to prove that next season."

Striker Ben Highmore played for Malmesbury on Wednesday night and Supermarine on Saturday but Kelvin Highmore confirmed he is still a Calne Town player.

Eddie Drury is leaving for Australia on Wednesday and the defender is unavailable for tomorrow's match because he has to go shopping for a rucksack and sleeping bag.