IMPROVING the youth scene at Chippenham Park is manager Joe Sharples’s priority ahead of the club’s opening Toolstation League First Division contest at home to Warminster on Saturday.

An eventful summer has seen only two players from last season remain, with a change in approach and management the main reason behind the dramatic shift.

More than a dozen players from the club’s academy – who last year won two trophies – will get their first taste of senior football.

And Sharples has every faith in his youngsters doing the business, admitting he’s confident Park will experience their most successful season in recent years.

He said: “We are going to bring three or four senior players in, but this personnel change has only happened over the last two weeks so we don’t have those men confirmed yet.

“Pre-season performances have been good against Cadbury Heath and Melksham Town.

“While we’re a bit behind other clubs in terms of preparation, we’re very happy with the players we have and the direction we’re going.

“As for our ambition, we want to improve our squad. In a few years’ time, a lot of these players can earn a living from football if they stay focussed – and we’re at the start of that.

“At the same time, we’re quietly confident of having our best season in a while.”