‘QUALITY over quantity’ will be the mantra for Chippenham Town chief Mark Collier as he constructs his squad for next season.

The Evo-Stik League Southern doesn’t allow player registrations until July 1 but Collier says that the majority of his team from last term have verbally agreed to stay on at Hardenhuish Park, with only veteran defender Matt Couple and utility man Toby Osman, last week announced as a Paulton Rovers signing, on their way to pastures new.

Defender Shane Blackmore is set to return to the Bluebirds squad whilst a handful of Chippenham Park youngsters could also be handed their chance to impress during pre-season but above all, Collier isn’t looking to make any sweeping changes.

“I think we’ll be looking for stability. For a lot of players, it was their first season at this level last season,” said the Bluebirds manager.

“I’ve been talking to two or three players about coming over – we’ll be after quality over quantity.

“95 per cent of the squad have agreed to sign and I’d hope that all those ones that I’ve met with and shook hands will go through with that. There are also a quite a few that have told me they’ve had interest or messages from other managers, and I’m comfortable with that because it’s only natural.

“Toby Osman has left to go and get what I assume is regular football at Paulton and Matt Coupe was made an offer but declined it, so he’ll be moving on.

“Shane Blackmore spent some time away from playing last season to concentrate on his business but he’ll be back as part of the squad and we’ve also got some good young players that could come in to the squad for pre-season, like the Norman boys (Charlie and Jamie) from Chippenham Park.

“We may take some on trial too. If a player’s got a decent CV, we’ll be happy to invite them to pre-season. Conor McCormack was a classic example of that last season.”

Chippenham report for pre-season training on Thursday July 2 and their first friendly is away to Hellenic League Wantage Town on Friday July 24 (kick-off 7.45pm).

CHIPPENHAM TOWN PRE-SEASON FIXTURES: July 24: Wantage Town (A); July 28: Melksham Town (H); July 30: Weston-super-Mare (H); August 1: Calne Town (A); August 4: Abingdon United (H).