MARK Collier says there is nothing charitable about the new deals handed out by Chippenham Town after veteran defender Gary Horgan became the 16th and final member of their Southern League title winning squad to sign up for next season.

Manager Collier is adamant that those players who won the Bluebirds promotion to the National League are good enough to make the grade at Level Six, with the decision to retain their services not simply an act of goodwill on his part.

Collier has brought in just three new additions so far – Weymouth trio Dean Evans, Mark Cooper and Jason Matthews – but the Bluebirds boss will not be afraid to ruffle the feathers of his established squad should the chance to bring in further new recruits become available.

“It’s not a case of me just giving those players the chance to play in the league above, it’s because I think they are good enough to do that,” said Collier.

“I’m not doing them a friendly favour because I think they’ve earned the right to have a crack at it.

“If people become available that are better than what we have already got or that can help improve us, then we will certainly look to get them involved, but we are pleased that we’ve been able to tie down got the players we have already.

“I am still talking to a few people but I do expect it to quieten down and there is no panic on our part.

“My experience tells me that there are always players that become available once pre-season has started.

“We need to bring in a forward and I am speaking to another one at the moment. I am sure something else will happen, but it might not be until later in the summer.”

Horgan, 40, will join the Chippenham coaching staff as part of his new terms and Collier is pleased for further strengthen his back-room team, having also brought in goalkeeper Matthews as a player-coach last week.

“Gary brings a lot to the table with his experience. He realises playing 40 games a season is not going to happen for him anymore but he still has a lot to offer,” said Collier.

“He had to give it a lot of thought as he has a young family and I understand he has other commitments. He said to me: ‘If I am in, I am in’.

“His commitment is there for all to see and I’m delighted to get him involved again.

“It was just myself and Tom (Jones, assistant manager) last year and one of the things that goes alongside going up a league is that there is simply more to do.

“Jason and Gary are both keen to get involved in the coaching side and they have got some good ideas.

“We are all singing off the same hymn sheet and we will sit down before the start of the season and put a plan in place.”