Another fine signing (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Another fine signing

4:00pm Thursday 24th August 2006 in Football By Nick Mashiter

NICK Stanley's decision to snub Melksham Town and move to Devizes has left manager Kelvin Highmore baffled.

Stanley was released by Chippenham Town last week and played in Melksham's 4-2 defeat to Calne Town in their opening Toolstation League game.

But he switched to Nursteed Road seven days later and scored in Tuesday night's win against Calne. Highmore, who was watching as Stanley starred against Calne for Devizes, admits he is puzzled by the player's choice.

He said: "He has his reasons, which we fully appreciate, as he said he wanted to get back up to Southern League level. So to say we are surprised to see him at Devizes is an understatement. He played for us against Calne in the first game of the season so perhaps he likes playing against them."

Stanley, whose brother Alex still plays for Chippenham, said he was not expecting to stay at The Conigre.

He said: "When I played for Melksham I was still with Chipp-enham and not expecting to be released.

"I am not sure if they thought I was going to stay, but I know Paul (Thompson, Devizes manager) from Cirencester Town so he invited me down and asked me to just play football. I am here to do well for Devizes and myself, score some goals and hopefully get points on the board."

Stanley's arrival has coincided with some good recent form for his new club. They are unbeaten in their last three matches and have scored five goals in two games, after drawing a blank since April, to give them renewed confidence going into the game at home to Barnstaple on Saturday.

Devizes boss Thompson was delighted to bring a player of Stanley's quality to the club.

He said: "When we played Chippenham pre-season he was their best player. He just needs a place where he can play and show what he can do.

"He needs to make an impression but he is good enough to play at Southern League level and if anyone comes in for him then we won't stand in his way."

The 20-year-old was released by the Bluebirds as manager Darren Perrin tried to balance the wage bill and says the rejection stunned him.

He said: "It was quite a blow and it came out of the blue. My confidence was knocked but I thought the best thing to do was to get back playing, forget it and be fresh. There is no point feeling sorry for myself."

Meanwhile, former Devizes skipper Andy Coombes could also make a dramatic return to the club. Coombes left Corsham at the end of last season and Thompson has been trying to tempt him back to the club all summer.

The defender was due to face Corsham for the reserves last night at Nursteed Road.