CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Mings applauds transfer dealings (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Mings applauds transfer dealings

3:00pm Friday 20th July 2012 in News By Dan Barnes

ADIE Mings thinks that Chippenham Town will boast a newfound strength in depth next season after their summer recruitment drive.

Former Yate and Tiverton Town striker Dean Griffiths, 27, and young forward Brandon Barnes, 19, have both followed Chippenham assistant boss Richard Fey to Hardenhuish Park from Toolstation League outfit Bitton while former Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Rovers academy centre-half Tom Seery, 19, could also be on the brink of a move to the Bluebirds.

Last month, Nathan Rudge added Lee Phillips, Scott Rogers, Luke Ballinger, Josh Egan and Shaun Lamb to his squad and Chippenham’s director of football Mings thinks that Town should be very satisfied with their transfer business.

“You have to say that they’re all good signings – Dean Griffiths is a good striker with Southern League experience while Brandon is a young lad who can play on the left wing or up front and scored 18 goals for Bitton last year,” said Mings.

“Tom Seery was at Weston and I’m sure he’ll be having a sit down with Nathan to see if he wants to make the move.

“We’ve done really well to bring in players with the experience of Lee Phillips and Scott Rogers. Luke Ballinger’s a player with good Southern League experience too and Josh Egan is a young lad who I’ve known since he was about eight because came through the youth system at Southampton the same time as my lad (Tyrone).

“Shaun Lamb’s also back and ready to show what a good player he really is – if they all click, we’ll have a lot more strength in depth in the squad this year and I think it’s exciting for the football club.”

19-year-old defender Shane Blackmore, son of vice-chairman Neil, has also been registered by Chippenham’s first team and will be looking to break into Rudge’s squad alongside fellow youngsters Ben Wickens and Charlie Austin.

Meanwhile, Mings has also revealed his excitement over the potential reunions that the Bluebirds’ FA Cup and FA Trophy draws have thrown up.

Chippenham could host Mangotsfield United, Bristol Manor Farm or Griffiths, Barnes and assistant boss Richard Fey’s former club Bitton in the first qualifying round of the Cup on September 8 while Mings could see his side come up against 19-year-old son Tyrone’s Yate Town in the first qualifying round of the Trophy on September 29, if they can get past Bluebirds’ local rivals Swindon Supermarine.

Mings added: “We’ve got two home ties – Nathan couldn’t ask for more than that. There could be a quick reunion for Richard and the Bitton lads and there could be a bit of rivalry going on at home if we end up playing Yate.”