MARK Collier believes that only now is he beginning to understand the true potential of Chippenham Town.

Collier, appointed as the Hardenhuish Park outfit’s new boss last week, hit the ground running with a 1-0 Calor League Southern Premier Division home win over third-placed Cambridge on Saturday.

The former Swindon Supermarine chief used Tuesday’s Red Insure Cup exit on penalties at Merthyr Town as an opportunity to run the rule over the remainder of his squad and has also wasted no time in adding new faces.

“I’ve had a fantastic welcome from the directors and the supporters were first-class (on Saturday),” said the Chippenham chief.

“When you’re on the outside, you think ‘yeah, it’s a big club’ but when you get there, you realise just how big it really is and how big a football club it can be.

“I'm happy to be here and hopefully we can bring success. They've been getting 300 people in regularly without winning matches so hopefully we can add a bit more and keep building it up.’’

Teenagers Corey King, from Banbury, and central midfielder Tyron Leigh played in the Merthyr defeat and have joined the Town roster.

Midfielder Phil Baker, formerly with Chippenham Park but more recently at Toolstation League First Division neighbours Calne Town has also been recruited, although former captain Ross Adams' loan spell with the club has ended and he has returned to Basingtstoke Town.

Collier has also made a seven-day approach for Cirencester Town defender Jon Beeden, formerly of Wootton Bassett Town and Swindon Supermarine, while midfielder Darren Jefferies has left the club to join Paulton Rovers.

Swindon Town's full-time Academy goalkeeping coach Steve Hale is working with Chippenham keepers Matt Bulman and Ben John, while Collier expects the deal to bring in midfielder Rob Dean from his former club Supermarine to be completed before Saturday’s league trip to Biggleswade Town (3pm).

THERE WILL BE NO BLUEBIRDS LIVE FROM SATURDAY'S TRIP TO BIGGLESWADE TOWN, BUT IT WILL RETURN FOR TUESDAY'S CLASH WITH TRURO CITY. FOR MORE CHIPPENHAM TOWN NEWS, REACTION & PICTURES SEE THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES