Lye would Rellish a step up (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Lye would Rellish a step up

11:09am Thursday 24th May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

AMBITIOUS Corsham Town star Scott Lye says he would welcome a move to Bath City.

The Southern League Premier Division champions tried to sign him in January, but he decided to see out the season with Colin Bush's tite winning side.

Now, with Bath preparing for life in the Conference South and Corsham staying in the Toolstation League Premier Division, Lye would like a new challenge.

"If I got the chance to move up I would have to give it a go," said the 20-year-old midfielder, who was also on trial at Bristol Rovers earlier in the season. "At the time I said I was happy at Corsham and wanted to see out the season. I have no regrets, I really enjoyed this season.

"Colin Towler (ex-Corsham captain) has said so many good things about Bath when he was there and he was treated really well.

"I haven't heard anything from Rovers since and it is not going to happen. They have done really well and look like they might go up so I don't think they need me any more."

A jump from the Toolstation League to the Conference South would be a huge test, but Lye is confident he could handle it.

"You don't know if you don't give it a try," he said. "I would need to enjoy it as well and, if it didn't work out, hopefully I would be able to go back to Corsham."

Lye, who scored the goal which clinched the Toolstation title in the 1-0 win over Radstock two weeks ago, also plays for Corsham Centre in the Chippenham Sunday League.

However, any move to a higher division would mean giving up playing for the team.

He said: "I really enjoy it because I play with a group of lads who I have grown up with but there comes a time, if I want to move up, I have to start concentrating on Saturdays."

Despite Lye's ambition, Bath manager John Rellish, who admitted to being a keen admirer, ruled out any imminent move.

He said: "We were interested before but we have only had a small increase in budget and have kept the majority of players from this year. We have moved on a little bit."

Prolific Striker Toby Colbourne, 26, is also thinking about the possibility of stepping up the non-league pyramid because he cannot achieve any more with Corsham.

Bush's men cannot afford the £80,000 gamble which it would take to move up to the Southern League Division One South and West.

"The club are very sensible but they may become victims of it," he said. "The main thing for the players was we were all trying to win something for the team and the supporters.

"It was never about the money but now we have won everything, what do we do? "You have to be realistic and wonder how much much more you can achieve."