CHIPPENHAM Town want to give people in the town more opportunities to get into football by becoming an FA Community Club, writes DAN BARNES.

Representatives from the FA and Wiltshire FA were at Hardenhuish Park on Saturday to present the club with its plaques after the Bluebirds achieved the FA Charter Standard.

The Charter Standard accreditation asks clubs to meet a number of requirements that show their dedication to grassroots football and becoming a Community Club is the next stage in Chippenham’s development.

“It’s all about raising standards on and off the pitch and Chippenham Town Youth were granted the award, as were Chippenham Ladies,” said Barry Stephens, Chippenham’s Community & Football Development Co-ordinator.

“We’re hoping that Chippenham Futsal will get the standard soon and then the four of us will come together under a common development plan to give us a pyramid of football, which will then allow us to apply to become a Community Club.

“While we’re Chippenham Town, we’re keen to work with other clubs and the council’s Football in the Community to ensure that there’s a good pyramid of football for boys and girls in the town.

“We want them to be able to achieve what they aspire to without having to leave the town of Chippenham.

“If they aspire to even greater things than we can provide for them, then we’ll help them on their way.”