CHIPPENHAM Town chief Mark Collier knows that his side’s glorious Southern League Premier Division title triumph does not guarantee an easy ride when it comes to his summer recruitment drive.

The Bluebirds have tied down 10 members of the squad that won them promotion to National League South to new contracts and Collier is now turning his attentions to bringing fresh faces to Hardenhuish Park.

Collier concedes that one target has already turned down the prospect of a move to Chippenham for the 2017-18 season but the Bluebirds boss has been left undeterred as he looks to put together a squad capable of succeeding at the highest level in the club’s history.

“I will be speaking to a couple of players this week. We have already had one that has decided he doesn’t want to come and I’ve no problem with that, that’s his prerogative. There will be knockbacks and I am well aware of that,” said Collier.

“Part of my job is trying to convince people that this is the right place for them to be to play their football but it is not easy.

“Although we have had a wonderful season and the club is in a great place having been promoted, it’s a bit like when I first came to the club again as when you talk to players they look at you and think: ‘Are you going to be towards the bottom of the table?’

“I point to Poole and Hungerford and show that they have had success since coming up from the Southern League. Poole in particular are a good example for us as they’ve kept largely the same squad together.”

Veteran striker Andy Sandell, skipper Greg Tindle, defender Will Richards, midfielders Alex Ferguson and Matt Smith and striker Dave Pratt agreed new contracts last week, with goalkeeper Darren Chitty and defenders Rhys Baggridge, Nuno Felix and Dan Bowman following suit on Tuesday evening following talks with Collier.

Collier is keen to give those players who won promotion the chance to impress at a higher level.

“Players go away on holiday so you might not be able to speak to them for a while and I know other clubs would have been interested in all six of those players, so it was important for us to tie them down as they are all so important for us,” said Collier.

“It’s crucial to have that spine of the team sorted out.

“Everyone will be given an opportunity next season and I will be speaking to the rest of the current players in due course.”

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