PEWSEY Vale chairman Craig Wall says travelling distances were one of the main reasons behind the club’s decision to switch from the Sydenhams League Division One to Hellenic League Division One West next season.

After finishing rock bottom of Sydenhams Division One with just three wins from 40 games, the chairman hopes a change in league will enable to club to be more competitive next season.

“Being in the area that we are in Pewsey and with the catchment area, it is very difficult to attract players who are outside of that because of the distance,” he said.

“If we want players from Swindon, it is hard for them to get to Pewsey and then carry on down all the way to the south coast.

“That was one factor, another one is that we feel we would be able to compete in the Hellenic League.

“At the end of the day, all we want to do is get back to winning football matches. The idea is to compete in the Hellenic League, do was well as we can, using local players and anyone who can add to the squad."

The league isn’t the only thing changing at the club, with Alistair Tuttle coming in as manager, at the expense of Adi Holcombe.

Holcombe initially handed the reins over to Tuttle at the end of last season, before Tuttle was made Ball Road boss on a permanent basis. Tuttle will be assisted by Alan Blake, while Holcombe will remain at the club as a first-team coach.

“It was forced upon us, there were a few circumstances that went on last season with people deciding they were going to step away from being in management,” added Wall.

“Alistair stepped in as a caretaker for the last 14 or 15 games and made a huge difference to the squad and the results. Because of that, he was offered the opportunity.

“Alan is well known in the Hellenic League, so his experience is big coup for us. He used to play for Pewsey years ago, so that is really good to get him back involved.”