Anyone wanting to catch a Chippenham Town FC game may believe they have visited the wrong place after arriving in the town.

For there are no signs pointing to the team’s ground at Hardenhuish Park, meaning visitors from outside of Chippen-ham can be left confused, frustrated, and late for kick-off.

Wil Hulbert, spokesman for the club and chairman of the Bluebirds’ Supporter Club, said Chippenham Town have received criticism from visiting clubs over the absence of signs.

He visited the town council on Wednesday requesting between £500 and £3,000 for the signage, but was told councillors can’t help.

Mr Hulbert said: “We are reacting to the criticism from supporters who visit us and say there is no signage.

“We have been criticised quite widely for this, including recently by football fans on the coach from Weymouth. It’s an on-going problem. There are no signs directing people to the football ground.

“We were shocked to find it would cost around £4,000 to put signs up. As we see it, we need them pointing the way from the M4, as the majority of our visitors come from there.

“We also need them for people visiting from the south, including Weymouth and Biddeford, and from the west, for those travelling from Bath.”

Mr Hulbert said the club is hoping to make up any shortfall in donations for the signs.

“People do get lost on their way to a match,” he said.

“Any help we could get would be greatly appreciated. Not everyone has a satnav, and it can be frustrating and confusing.”

Mr Hulbert said he had already contacted Wiltshire Council on the matter, with little success.

Councillor Bill Douglas recommended that Mr Hulbert made an application for a donation from the Chippenham Area Transport Group (CATG).

He said: “It is probably not a request this town council could fulfil, so your best chance is probably the CATG.

“I don’t see that this town council could be involved in something like this.”

Coun Desna Allen agreed, and said: “Certainly, if it’s discussed as a community issue at the CATG, at least it will be referred to someone else in the council.”

Mr Hulbert said it was all the more vexing as other clubs in Chippenham, including the popular rugby club, have plenty of signs throughout the town.

“We do take this as a health and safety issue, and we would like to have it resolved,” he said.