THE PAIN of being denied promotion is still being felt at Melksham Town but manager Darren Perrin is hoping that another successful campaign in the Toolstation League Premier Division can provide the perfect tonic for his side.

Melksham became champions of the Toolstation League’s top tier for the first time in their history last term but only after the bitter blow of having a deserved berth in the Evo-Stik League Southern South & West snatched away by a cruel twist of fate.

Construction on their new Woolmore Farm ground, which would have met Southern League standards, was delayed after the discovery of a colony of protected newts, robbing the club the chance to play at a higher level.

However, work has finally begun on their new home and Perrin is taking heart in the fact that if Melksham can emulate their heroics next season, they will finally secure promotion.

“At the start of pre-season, a lot of the lads were feeling hurt and hard done by – rightly so – by the powers that be,” said Perrin.

“But after we played friendlies against three Southern League clubs in Larkhall, Chippenham and Paulton, they began to get that enthusiasm back.

“We’ve learned a lot of lessons as a football club from last season and we have nothing against them at all but it is tough to see that Slimbridge, who finished third in the table last season, will be playing in the Southern League.

“Work has started on the ground and it will 100 per cent be ready if we can finish in the top three. If we’re going well and we’re in that position, we’ll apply for promotion again.

“But clubs like Bradford, Buckland, Barnstaple, Bristol Manor Farm will be there or thereabouts and as we’re the champions, we’ll be there to be shot at.”

Three Melksham youngsters – striker Dan Sibley, winger Tom Jones and midfielder Will Thomson – have all impressed manager Perrin during the pre-season programme and could make the step up to the first team next season.

However, the club have lost midfielder Ben Thomson to First Division side Corsham Town.