FOOTBALL: Warminster getting tools in place for fresh challenge (From Wiltshire Times)

FOOTBALL: Warminster getting tools in place for fresh challenge

1:30pm Saturday 23rd June 2012 in Sport News

WARMINSTER Town chairman Pete Russell says that he’s looking forward to a fresh start for his team next season after they were accepted back into the Western League.

The Weymouth Street side, who have played in the Wessex League since 2007, had their place in the Western League confirmed at last week’s AGM and can now look forward to local derbies against Bradford, Calne, Corsham, Devizes and Westbury.

Russell took caretaker charge of the Red and Blacks after the departure of Jason Guy in March and also revealed that he is hoping to appoint a new manager next week.

The Warminster chairman said: “I think it’s a good move for us and I’m definitely looking forward to next season.

“We were at the AGM and the league committee all seemed very friendly and I think they’re very happy to welcome us into the league.

“We’ve been there before and a lot of the same teams are still there now.

“There are also a lot more local derbies and I think more people will come to see those.

“We did enjoy the Wessex League, despite all the travelling, but I think we’re really going to enjoy being back in the Western League.”

Town first joined the Western League in 1930 and, in their second spell, were relegated to the Wiltshire League in 2002.

After finishing third in the Premier Division in 2007, they opted to join the Wessex League.

Warminster are one of five new teams in the Western League fold, with Cribbs Friends Life promoted from the Gloucester County League and Cheddar, from the Somerset County League, also joining the First Division.

SW Peninsula League side Buckland Athletic have been promoted to the Premier Division alongside Winterbourne United, who have switched from the Hellenic League.