Casey not interested in leaving his Calne mates (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Casey not interested in leaving his Calne mates

10:20am Thursday 8th May 2008 in Football By Jon Boyle

Football: Calne skipper Steve Casey says he is going nowhere despite rumoured interest from local rivals Corsham Town.

Corsham boss Mel Gingell tried to lure the centre-back to the Southbank last summer and it is believed he is lining up another approach for the 26-year-old.

But Casey says he would only move to a club in a higher league, as he enjoys playing alongside his Calne mates despite their disappointing mid-table finish.

He said: "I fully expect to still be here next season.

"Mel spoke to me at the start of the year but I turned him down.

"I would talk to him if he got in touch again but I don't think I'd bother changing clubs unless it was to go up a division.

"All the lads enjoy playing here and we're all friends, so I can't see anyone leaving this summer."

Calne ended their season with a fourth straight defeat, losing 3-2 at home to Bideford on Saturday.

Leon Hapgood put Bideford ahead in the 25th minute when he raced on to a long ball and drilled the ball low past Calne goalkeeper Steve Allison from the edge of the box.

Ben Moore equalised for Calne five minutes before the break when he neatly side-footed the ball into the corner of the net from 18 yards after a slick passage of play.

But Bideford capitalised on some poor Calne defending to race into a 3-1 lead within the first ten minutes of the second half.

Dan Lardner pulled a goal back ten minutes from the end when he raced onto Dan Jones' chip before lobbing the keeper and coolly tapping the ball in, but Calne couldn't force an equaliser.

Casey added: "I'm surprised people are interested in me because I don't think I've had the greatest year.

"We're hoping to do better next season."