NIGEL Tripp has bolstered his backroom staff with two new faces as Melksham Town bid to improve on last season's disappointing league position.

Tripp is confident new youth and reserve team managers Chris Ballinger and Alan Roberts will improve communication between the club's different playing levels.

Ballinger, the son of former Melksham Town manager Brian Ballinger, replaces Paul Fielding at the helm of the under 18 team.

The appointment of former Trowbridge Town manager Roberts will see Dave Clayton return to a purely playing role.

Melksham finished 14th out of 18 teams in last season's Screwfix League Premier Division and Tripp hopes adding two experienced men to his coaching team will see better for 2004/05.

He said: "Alan comes with a good record.

"He used to be manager of Trowbridge Town and knows the Wiltshire League well.

"This will also release Dave Clayton to concentrate on his playing. He's done a good job, but this will improve things for us.

"I'm also hoping Paul Fielding will stay with us as physio.

"Hopefully if we get the back room looking right this will be the basis for doing well."

Tripp is optimistic about the new season, but is only likely to add a couple of new players to the existing mix.

He said: "Last year we lost a lot of players prior to the season starting, which wasn't great. But it gave people who would have been fringe players the chance to come in.

"Players like Steve Pegler, Simeon Allison and Owen Bryan did well in places and there are a few of the youngsters coming through.

"There's a few new signings in the pipeline, but to be honest I want to give the lads who finished last year another chance.

"We do need to improve in a couple of areas, but I don't want to make too many signings as we would have to start from scratch again.

"I'm a strong believer that you pick a team on performances not reputation.

"If someone plays well they keep their place, but you don't become a good Western League player overnight."