CHIPPENHAM-born Paul Watts is relishing the opportunity of helping his home town club in their push for a place in the Conference League Two next season.

Watts, 45, was appointed Chippenham Town physiotherapist midway through last season after years of being involved in local football at a lower level.

Before moving to the Bluebirds he enjoyed spells at Calne Town and Corsham Town as physio and also represented Corsham Town reserves and Biddestone Town in his playing career.

Watts was born a stone's throw away from Hardenhuish and now loves every minute of helping his boyhood club.

He said: "If I wasn't doing this then I would just be watching from the terraces so obviously for me it is brilliant.

"My father Peter watched his first Chippenham match when he was three and still comes now and he is nearly 70. My grandfather always came as well. I grew up down the road so it is that extra bit special for me as I am getting the chance to help the club I have always followed."

Watts now lives in Gastard with wife Cynthia, and children, Daniel, two, and Lois, six, and during the week he divides his team as an administrator for a local company and a chiropodist.

He is a qualified sports masseur and holds all the physiotherapy FA courses up to the intermediate standard.

On match days he gets to the ground at about 1pm and helps the players prepare for the game. During the match he has to deal with any injuries that occur and post-match he will carry out any remedial therapy that needs to be done.

Chippenham's other physio is Rob Ferguson who deals with players' injuries during the week but attends to the rugby club on match days.

Watts did play a few matches for Chippenham Town's third team but was never good enough to break into the first team.

"It is great to be involved at such a high standard of football," he said.

"In my days as a centre half I was nowhere near breaking into Chippenham's team even in their Screwfix days.

"To go to some of the grounds that we are going to in the Dr Martens Premier League is fantastic.

"A lot of grounds, like Worcester's, have got so much tradition surrounding them it is a pleasure to be involved.

"We have got a good team together at Chippenham. They are a good group of young lads and I really believe the future is bright."