JOHN Fitchen will be a proud man when Trowbridge Town take to the pitch in Saturday's Hellenic League first division opener against Hook Norton.

The Trowbridge chairman has spent the last few years trying to restore the club to its former glories and Saturday's match will mark the end of the first phase of his plan.

Only six years ago, the old Trowbridge Town were still plying their trade in the Southern League but financial problems brought about the end as they went bankrupt.

In 1998 the new Trowbridge Town were formed and started playing in the Wiltshire League Intermediate Division, now two promotions later they are planning an assault on a new league.

Fitchen, 69, has worked tirelessly along with the rest of the committee to bring higher league football back to Woodmarsh but he insists the work is not finished yet.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to Saturday as it is a big step for us.

"I remember when we started we thought it would take us 10 years to get to this level, it has only taken half of that.

"But I want to progress further and although we obviously have to stabilise first, I hope we will have a suitable ground within five years.

"Trowbridge has always been a footballing town and the people deserve to see good football played here. The good thing is that we are a local team with local players."

After coasting to the Wiltshire League championship last season, Fitchen, who has been on the committee at Trowbridge for as long as he can remember, warns fans it will be a different story this time.

He said: "There will be some very good sides and we can't expect to beat everyone in sight again.

"But I am confident we can do well and I think a top five finish would be a successful season.

"One thing is definite though we will not risk the club's future. When I was chairman in 1992 the club had an overdraft limit with the bank of £32,000 but we will not go down that route again."

Ahead of tomorrow's league opener manager Neil Kirkpatrick has warned his players they have six games to prove they are capable of coping at this level.

He said: "We have kept pretty much the same squad as last season because I feel they deserve a chance to show what they can do.

"The first couple of games will obviously be a learning curve but I need them to prove to me they can put it in week in and week out.

"Last season we could get away with a couple of players having an off day but we won't be able to afford to do that in this league."

Hook Norton have just been relegated from the premier division due to their lack of floodlights so Kirkpatrick is expecting a tough test.

Trowbridge then entertain Shrivenham on Tuesday night and many people are tipping them to be promotion contenders.

Experienced midfielder Spencer Wilmott has been signed in the summer while the only departures are Adam Shackell and Matt Minnus, who have joined Bath City youth.

Trowbridge finished their pre-season campaign with a 5-1 victory over Sunday league side Holt.

Holt trialist Andy Cryer was dismissed for dissent as Dan Barnes, Dave Percival, Gavin Eyre, Jack Heard and Dave Mitchell scored to seal a comfortable win.

Meanwhile the club has had an encouraging response with regards to ticket sales with 48 season tickets having already been snapped up.

The club has also had 120 fans renewing their membership but are still hoping to sell more after a membership drive.

Membership costs £7 this season while season tickets cost £60 for admission, membership and a programme, or £40 for admission only. Anyone interested should call (01225) 704063.