CHIPPENHAM Park manager Dave Ferris was proud to hear that Ryan Campbell grabbed his first taste of action in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division last weekend.
Winger Campbell was included in Mark Collier’s Chippenham Town squad for Saturday’s trip to Arlesey Town and came off the bench to make a 15-minute cameo in Bedfordshire, his first appearance for the Bluebirds since a Red Insure Cup clash with Paulton Rovers just over two years ago.
“It’s a huge step up from the Western League to the Southern League but there’s no doubting that he has quality,” said Ferris.
“Ryan’s a quiet lad and he hasn’t got a lot of weight, in the true sense of the word, but he picks himself up every time after being kicked all over the place and just gets on with it.
“He’s a model young man in that sense.
“Part of the idea of us is to try and help develop players for Chippenham Town and it’s great that he got called up.
“From a selfish point of view, it would be a little bit of shame for us if Ryan is going to carry on playing for them but we’ll just have to see what happens, which will be Mark’s call.”
Chippenham chief Collier revealed that Campbell is one of five Park players invited to begin training with his team this week.
Striker Mark Robinson, defender Dan Price and midfielders Jordan Coulter and George Nash, who had a previous spell with the Bluebirds and reached the final three of Swindon Town’s first-ever Samsung Win a Pro Contract competition in 2011, were also asked.
Injured Town defender Matt Coupe is due to have another X-ray on his fractured leg next week as he bids to return to training but Bryan Smith faces another few weeks out with his broken nose.
Luke Ballinger and Darren Edwards return to the squad for Saturday’s FA Trophy first qualifying round clash with Frome Town.
Callum Wright played for Hellenic League Wootton Bassett Town this week after being released by Town, along with fellow defender Pete Monks.
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