THREE men with close links to Melksham Town are early contenders to fill the vacant managerial position at Calne Town.

After Calne boss Kelvin Highmore's shock resignation to move to the Conigre, a number of names have already been lined up to fill the gap, including Robbie Lardner, Derek Graham and Pete Tripp.

Kelvin Highmore's assistant manager at Calne, Simon Hillier, is currently on his honeymoon in St Lucia but looks likely to stay on as a number two at Bremhill View.

Despite silence on the subject of finance from both sides, it is thought Highmore's decision stemmed from financial restraints at Calne, but that has not stopped considerable early interest.

Former Devizes manager and Melksham Town assistant manager Pete Tripp has described the post as an "ideal" job for him.

Tripp has been out of management since leaving Melksham with brother Nigel earlier this season but is ready to get back involved with football.

He said: "I have thought about it and yes I would be very interested in the job. I would love to sit down and have chat with their chairman.

"I haven't made any moves to do it yet but if the job is advertised I expect I will give him a ring.

"I had a great time at Melksham as assistant to my brother but to be honest it would be good to be my own man again and to do things my own way.

"It would be an ideal chance for me to get back into football. If I did get it I would hope to keep Simon Hillier as assistant because I have known him for a while and he is very important to the set-up down there."

Former Westbury United boss Derek Graham was appointed as assistant