CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Let's get it started (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Let's get it started

6:00pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Wiltshire Sport By Dan Barnes

MIDFIELDER Iain Harvey insists kicking off with a win at Hemel Hempstead Town on Saturday is vital to give Chippenham Town the best chance of flourishing under Nathan Rudge in the Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division this season.

Harvey, now Town’s most experienced player at 35, is looking forward to the start of a new era at Hardenhuish Park as Town travel to Hertfordshire to take on the Tudors (3pm).

He said: “At Chippenham, we’ve always had really tough pre-seasons with a lot of fitness work and this year hasn’t been any different.

“It was always like that under Mingo (Adie Mings) and Kempy (Gary Kemp) and Rudgey and Feyer (Richard Fey) have put their own stamp on it, but we’ve had a great pre-season, just like we always have – I’ve known Rudgey and Feyer since I was about 18 or 19.

“I’ve seen it happen a lot of times and I think it’s really important to get off to a good start to the season – we need to be picking up three points at Hemel.

“Starting with a positive result can really set you up for a good season and if you look at the top sides that have done well in this league, that’s what they always do.

“There are a lot of new guys at the club but I think that they’re all here to work hard and I think that Scotty Rogers, who’s always been a good mate of mine, and Lee Phillips will bring some great experience.

“Then you’ve got all of the other young lads who’ve come in too and they all look ready to contribute and work hard for the team as well – we all can’t wait to get started.”

Bluebirds’ player-manager Rudge has a fully fit squad to choose from for this weekend’s opener, with the exception of defenders Mani Randhawa and Alex Kite, who have missed most of pre-season with pelvic and hamstring injuries respectively.