CHIPPENHAM Town new-boy Mark Francis reckons he’s joined a club on the up after becoming disillusioned with life at nearby Frome Town.

The former Swindon Town striker, 19, was thrust into an FA Trophy clash with his former side just days after swapping a red shirt for a blue one and marked his Chippenham debut with a confidently-taken goal as Mark Collier’s men booked a second qualifying round trip to Bedford Town on November 15 with a 3-1 triumph.

Francis revealed that he’d been unhappy at Badgers Hill ever since he wasn’t properly informed of a seven-day approach from the Bluebirds back in September, with Frome almost instantly tying the frontman down to a contract.

But he believes he’s boosted his chances of realising his ambition of breaking back into the professional game by switching to Chippenham.

“I first heard of Chippenham’s interest in the summer but decided to stay at Frome because I’d been there on loan from Swindon.

“Things started well but for some reason, the team stopped performing,” said Francis.

“When Chippenham put in a seven-day approach for me, I wasn’t told about it.

“A few players haven’t been happy there but I was the first to say that I wanted to leave – it was hard to get out of the contract though.

“I want to try and get back into the pro game and I don’t think people are going to come and watch a side that aren’t doing very well. I’ve only really heard of Tyrone Mings moving from Chippenham but I think it’s a better club to be at.

“Obviously, Fergie (Alex Ferguson) being there played a part in it too. I lived with Fergie in digs for three years when we were at Swindon. I tried to get him to come to Frome but he told me what a great bunch of lads there were at Chippenham.”

Francis admitted that making his debut against Frome last weekend was a surreal experience.

He added: “It was strange because I obviously know all the lads there. It was weird seeing them before the game and then going in to the opposition dressing room.

“But I was happy with how the game went.”

MORE SPORTS NEWS, PICTURES AND REACTION IN THIS THURSDAY’S GAZETTE AND HERALD. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport