HOTSHOT Andy Sandell says that he saw no reason to up sticks and seek a life away from Chippenham Town after agreeing to remain with the Bluebirds next season.

The 32-year-old striker dropped down to the Southern League Premier Division following his release from League Two Newport County at the start of last season and finished the campaign by claiming the golden boot thanks to his 22 strikes in the league and Red Insure Cup.

Despite interest from elsewhere, Sandell, who was previously Chippenham’s commercial manager, has committed to remaining at Hardenhuish Park for the 2016-17 season and is keen to continue enjoying himself in non-league.

“For me, it was important that I was happy. I want to turn up, enjoying playing, have a drink, and then go home,” said Sandell.

“I’d played in non-league before but it did take a bit of time to get used to being back there.

“The grounds aren’t as good and things like that but I still really enjoyed it.

“I had offers from one team in the same league and two from a league higher but I wanted to stay local and to be able to carry on playing with my best mate (Alan Griffin) is great.”

Fellow strikers Griffin, Dave Pratt and Ben Whitehead have so far agreed to play for Mark Collier’s side next term and Sandell doesn’t see any reason why the Bluebirds can’t improve on their narrow play-off miss last season.

The Chippenham frontman added: “In the end, one bad month killed us.

“It was still Chippenham’s highest finish in a few years and with a couple of additions to the squad, I think we could go one better and get in the play-offs.”