CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Bluebirds will fly once more (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Bluebirds will fly once more

3:00pm Friday 13th July 2012 in News By Dan Barnes

CHIPPENHAM Town chairman John Applegate claims that his club is going through their most exciting period since their FA Vase run 12 years ago as the Bluebirds prepare for a fresh start.

Nathan Rudge has been installed as player-manager at Hardenhuish Park while newly-formed feeder club Chippenham Park is gearing up for their first campaign in the Wiltshire League.

Last month, the Hardenhuish Park outfit unveiled five new first-team players for the forthcoming season.

But Applegate revealed that there has been no increase in the playing budget handed to boss Rudge from the previous year.

“Nathan and Richard (Fey, assistant) have managed to make some big signings and they’ve done that by convincing those players that Chippenham Town is going places and trying to get out of (the Southern) league,” said the Bluebirds chairman.

“The budget is the same as it was last year but that’s not to say that it might not increase as the season goes on – that all depends on how we do.

“This is the most exciting time we’ve had at the club since we went to Wembley in the FA Vase.

“We’ve got a young management team, who are really enthusiastic and have been bringing their wives and their friends to the clubhouse already.

“Then we’ve also got everything that’s been going on with the new Chippenham Park sides.

“We’ve finally got a link in place to bring the local youngsters all the way through to where we are now.”

On Tuesday night, three directors were voted on to the Bluebirds’ board in the shape of Richard and Jackie Coleman and Andrea Grafton, who has moved up from the position of associate director.

LAST SATURDAY, Station Road-based floor and carpet suppliers The Carpet Barn won a prize draw at Hardenhuish Park to become Chippenham’s home shirt sponsor next season.

Meanwhile, Chippenham Town could face a plum Wiltshire derby against old rivals Swindon Supermarine in the first qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy in September. Marine, who were relegated from the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division last season, will travel to Hardenhuish Park if they can get past Yate Town in the preliminary round.

The first qualifying round tie is due to take place on September 29.

Rudge’s Chippenham have been drawn at home in the first qualifying round of the 2012-13 FA Cup.

The Bluebirds, thrown out of last year’s competition after fielding the ineligible Curtis Jack, will face either Mangotsfield United, Bitton or Bristol Manor Farm on the weekend of Saturday, September 8.

Most of the county's sides start their cup campaign on August 11.