FORMER Chippenham Town stalwart Nigel Tripp is planning a playing comeback - at the age of 43.

Tripp, who has announced his playing retirement three times before, is being tempted to put his boots on again after being named co-manager of Toolstation League First Division strugglers Bradford Town.

Tripp. along with fellow co-manager Paul Ranger, takes charge of Bradford for the first time in tomorrow's game at Sherborne and is ready to play again to pull his new club clear of the relegation area.

Said Tripp: "If that's what the team needs then I'll put the boots on again.

"I coach the under 10s at Biddestone so that keeps me active. It's not as though I just sit around in the office all day."

"I'm not going to Bradford to get relegated, that's for sure, "Coaching and playing at this level is all about confidence. If we can instill some belief in the players there's no reason we can't turn this season around.

Tripp had just joined the coaching staff at Biddestone when the call came to take over at Bradford after Mark Hodkinson was sacked as manager.

He has previous experience at Toolstation League management with both Westbury United and Melksham Town.

Tripp has enjoyed an illustrious career in the non-league scene in Wiltshire for over 25 years and has played almost 1,000 games.

He also made over 25 appearances for the Wiltshire representative side.

A commanding centre back in his day, Tripp spent the majority of his career at Chippenham Town but also spent three seasons playing for Trowbridge Town in their Southern League Premier Division days.

He has also enjoyed spells at Corsham Town, Melksham Town, Gloucester City, Mangotsfield United and was player-manager at Westbury United before returning to the Conigre in 2001 to help then manager Robbie Lardner, who is now in charge at Calne Town.

Tripp said: "I had some good times at Chippenham because even though we struggled the lads were great. Being a Chippenham boy as well for most of my life means the club meant a lot to me.

"I was involved in Trowbridge Town's FA Vase run in 1981 and although I was cup-tied the whole experience was brilliant. Winning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division that season was great as well."

Tripp's record since 40th birthday:

January 2004:

Celebrates 40th birthday by announcing his retirement from playing to concentrate on his duties as manager of Melksham Town.

April 2004:

Comes out of retirement because of injury crisis at The Conigre, but lasts only 30 minutes before being stretchered off with knee ligament damage as Melksham are beaten 4-1 at home by Bridport.

February 2005:

Quits as Melksham Town manager following a humiliating 10-0 home defeat by Bideford. Within a week resumes playing career at Malmesbury Vics under the management of former Chippenham Town team-mate Graham Learmonth.

January 2007:

Joins Biddestone coaching staff, but within a fortnight moves to Bradford Town as co-manager and announces he is ready to start playing again.