More clubs could be Killer for Dave (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

More clubs could be Killer for Dave

DEVIZES TOWN: AS another Wiltshire side prepares to join the Western League this season, Dave Kilmurray believes clubs in the county are increasingly facing a losing battle.

The promotion of Bradford Town into Division one has taken the number of Wiltshire sides in the Western League to eight, more than at any time in the league's history.

At first glance it could be thought of as a positive for the county but with the club's selecting from the same pool of players, Kilmurray believes it will become increasingly difficult to survive at that standard.

The Devizes striker said: "It is a problem now because there is only a limited amount of players in the area and more and more clubs are trying to sign them.

"Corsham get first pick because they are top of tree but then sides like Devizes, Melksham and Calne are all fighting against each other for the same players.

"Every season the situation gets worse and that is why I don't think clubs like us can really look any further than just trying to survive in this league."

For the past two seasons Devizes have been fighting against relegation and with their budget cut in half for the new campaign, Kilmurray admits survival has to again be their priority.

He said: "There is just not the money around to allow us to really compete at this level and I think Calne and Melksham have the same problem.

"It is becoming an increasing struggle to get the finances of a club sorted out and the Western League is also becoming more of a commitment to players, which also causes a problem.

"I would say survival is our first target this season and if we can do that we will then have to look to consolidate."

Following budget cuts, last season's boss Mark Godley has left the club and he has been succeeded by midfielder Nathan Sheridan.

Veteran defender Andy Coombes has switched to Corsham Town while Dave Macey and Simon Price have returned to Melksham, leaving Kilmurray philosophical about Devizes' coming campaign.

He said: "The summer has been a bit of a blow for the club but I am sure Nathan has got things in order.

'The budget cuts have resulted in us losing a few players and I fear that we will be facing a very difficult season again.

"Having said that I don't think our rivals Melksham or Calne are much better off and I think we will all be quite close.

"In recent years the league has levelled off in quality. There are the top few sides but then there is a big group of teams who are very similar.

"The way sides came up from division one last season and did well in the premier shows that the standard has dropped."

Kilmurray, 30, who moved to Devizes from Corsham midway though last season, admits he has not had a lot of time to think about football this summer.

He said: 'I have been very busy at work and football hasn't really crossed my mind yet.

"I have a two week suspension coming up early in the season and I am still having problems with my hamstring so I really want to give it a rest.

"Hopefully I can start again in September and by then I will be really up for it and looking forward to the rest of the season."