AMBITIOUS Melksham Town have made the first steps towards advancing to the next stage in their evolution after applying for promotion to the Southern League.

Melksham have enjoyed a fine start to their Toolstation League Premier Division campaign – they are currently second in the table with a game in hand on league leaders Bristol Manor Farm – and are one of four teams from their division to throw their hat into the ring for elevation to Step Four of the National League System, along with Farm, Brislington and Slimbridge.

Chairman Dave Wiltshire says his club’s application was a logical by-product of the team’s current on-pitch success – but revealed that Melksham are keeping their feet firmly on the ground, particularly with work on their new Woolmore Farm home still ongoing.

“We had to apply by the end of November, so we have done the first application. We’d be stupid not to do it and we had to be fair to our players,” said Wiltshire.

“Obviously, there’s a long way to go in the league and we wrote a long cover letter, explaining our circumstances.

“They come out to take a look at your ground next March but ours is still being built. We think that the work could be done by Christmas next year and we can start playing there in 2016.

“But we don’t know where we’ll be playing at the start of next season. We’re currently talking to the council because we might not be able to stay at the Conigre if the developers want to begin work there. Maybe we’ll have to build a temporary pitch at the new site.

“We might not finish top of the league but finishing fifth would still be a great achievement.

“We (the Melksham officials) are really proud of how things have got better at the club every year since we took over (in 2010).”

Manager Darren Perrin reckons his club’s Southern League application could put an extra spring in the step of his players but warned that his team might yet not be ready to make the step up.

Boss Perrin said: “It’s certainly exciting for the players and the management but of course, it could be academic. I think it could give the players some extra motivation though.

“I was manager of Paulton Rovers when we went up to the Southern League and there are plenty of other local clubs that have done it, like Frome, where I’ve got some great memories, and Larkhall.

“I’m still not convinced that we’re ready for that level and, as I think I’ve said before, I think some other teams in the league will begin to splash the cash in the New Year, which we will never do.”

l Holders’ cup exit: Page 76