GOALKEEPER Will Puddy says the vision of a bright future at Chippenham Town is what prompted him to come back to Hardenhuish Park for the coming season.

Bluebirds boss Mark Collier was in need of a new number one ahead of the start of the 2018-19 National League South season after loanee Jared Thompson’s return to parent club Chelsea and has swooped to fill the void with former Bristol Rovers stopper Puddy.

The 30-year-old spent part of the 2011-12 season with the Bluebirds under Adie Mings in the Southern League and has since gone on for forge a career in the professional game.

Puddy was part of the Rovers team that won the National League play-off final at Wembley in 2015 and made nine further appearances for the club following their promotion back to the Football League.

After leaving the Memorial Stadium 12 months ago, Puddy was most recently at newly-crowned Southern League Premier Division champions Hereford.

Former Cheltenham Town keeper Puddy still retains lofty ambitions in the game and says the Bluebirds’ own aspirations made for a perfect match.

“It was an easy decision in that they are a club that have got a lot of ambition,” said Puddy.

“I spoke to the manager to get a feel for what the club is trying to achieve and there is certainly a lot to be optimistic and positive about at Chippenham Town.

“When I was first at the club, it was almost like the start of my journey. We had a very good manager at the time and we were doing really well when I left.

“I have managed to go away and achieve a bit in the game, but me coming back is in no way me thinking football is over for me. I 100 per cent want to get back to a higher level.

“I had offers to stay full-time but, frankly, those clubs did not have the same ambition as Chippenham did. That was a big part of me wanting to come back here.”

Having played in the National League for both Braintree Town and Sutton United on loan stints away from Rovers last season, Puddy is well aware that there is still plenty of talent outside the Football League.

With Chippenham having adapted well during their maiden season as a National League side in 2017-18, Puddy will give everything he can to help them continue to go from strength to strength.

“National League South is a tough level. It shouldn’t be looked at as a lower league, there are some top clubs and top players playing at this level,” said Puddy.

“Chippenham did very well last season and hopefully we can kick on again from that.

“Age or experience doesn’t come into, I always try to take on that role of responsibility within the team.

“As a goalkeeper, you want to be in control of the defence in front of you, and if you have a successful defence, it usually means you can build a successful team.”