MARK Collier is happy to do business right through the summer as he looks to put a Chippenham Town squad together capable of being competitive in National League South again.

The Bluebirds finished comfortably in mid-table in their debut season at level six in 2017-18, ending the campaign 13th in the table.

Manager Collier has already tied down 12 members of last season’s squad to stay on at Hardenhuish Park, while three new faces have also signed up in George Rigg, Yan Klukowski and Jack Compton.

The Chippenham players are not due to report back for pre-season training until the final week of this month and Collier is keen to have the bulk of his squad completed by then.

However, the Bluebirds boss will not fret if further deals are not concluded until later down the line.

“We have got a lot of our business done early and we are pleased with that. It puts us in a strong position,” said Collier, whose side begin their pre-season friendly programme on Saturday, July 14 at home to League Two side Newport County.

“The players are not back in until June 26 and by that point, I’d like to think we’d have a group of 18 or 19 to work with.

“Hopefully we will have most things done, but I know from experience that there can be a bit of fall-out as pre-season goes on.

“Players join clubs with the best intentions, but they might get there and it’s not quite the right fit, or there is a bigger squad than they expected and opportunities might be limited.

“If the right player was then to become available again and fitted within our budget, then we would certainly look to do something.

“I have no problem waiting. It’s quality we are after, not quantity.”

Alex Ferguson, Dean Evans, Matt Smith, Jon Beeden and Jake Jackson became the latest members of last season’s squad to commit to the club again for next term, following previous deals for captain Greg Tindle, Curtis McDonald, Will Richards, Darren Mullings, Josh Smile, Andy Sandell and Nick McCootie.

Collier still hopes to retain the services of further established names and is continuing negotiations with a number of players.

“We are pleased to have come to agreements with the players we have done, and we are hoping to get one or two more signed up again too,” said Collier.

“There are still a couple of lads we are talking to and we will just see what happens because they have other offers too.

“I know other clubs will be speaking to our players, but I am comfortable with that. That’s the business we are in.”