Future is bright ahead of historic season for Melksham Town FC

MELKSHAM Town Football Club is set to embark on a historic season for the club as it looks likely to be the last at their Conigre home.

With the new community campus of sports facilities set to be built on Melksham House and The Conigre football ground site, the club is set to relocate to a brand new facility at Woolmore Farm near Melksham Oak Community School at the end of next season.

The Toolstation Western Premier Division club has played at their current ground since 1926 and are looking ahead to build on the success the club has enjoyed in recent months with the first team, reserves and youth sides all winning county trophies.

Additionally this season sees the club introduce an additional adult side, whilst the Town’s Youth, catering for children from four-17 years old, all come under the Town umbrella, as do the two ladies’ teams under the guidance of Rob Bridges.

Pre-season training has already started with Town first team manager Darren Perrin delighted that all of last season’s first team squad have resigned, and have been further boosted by the return to the club of Mike Perrott from Paulton Rovers, and Jack Morris joining from Corsham, and Darren is  hopeful of bringing a couple of other signings to the club in the coming weeks.

Pre-season friendly details are shown below with highlights including home matches against higher league opposition in Mangotsfield United and Paulton Rovers. A trip to Chippenham Town will also prove a stern test for the Town squad before the league season starts on 9th August.

Steve Burns and Andy Robbins will again lead the Town reserves after being promoted to the Wiltshire Premier League and again have resigned last year’s squad and are well set for the challenge of  Step 7 level football.

‘A’ team manager Barry Holloway will no doubt use his extensive level of local football to attract a strong experienced squad and will be looking to push for promotion from the Trowbridge and District Division 3.

After the Under 18s won the Wiltshire County Cup last season, managers Mark Demkiv and Paul Hughes have again established a strong squad and with an improved league set up will look to build on last  year’s success with the youth section providing a steady stream of  players.

Whilst understandably the on field action is the main focus, perhaps more importantly for the long term future of the club is the impending move to a new stadium next season  at Woolmore, which will cater for all the clubs 450+ playing members, and will be a major asset, not just for the football club but for the whole community.

Further news will be made available towards the end of the month after the outcome of the planning application meeting is held, with the club looking to commemorate  their time at the Conigre with some special events through the season.

Chairman of Melksham Town FC, Dave Wiltshire said, “Last season was expected to be our last, so we’re not thinking too much about it and we will see what happens. It’s an exciting time for the club as we have been on the up the past few years.

“We have the same players as last year with more experience, plus a few youth players coming through. It really is an exciting time for the club.”

For more information about Melksham Town FC including fixtures and results visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/melksham townfc/