Highmore starts to silence critics

From the archive, first published Friday 28th Oct 2005.

MELKSHAM TOWN: THE Melksham Town revolution is finally underway but as far as Kelvin Highmore is concerned it won't be complete until his side are Wiltshire's top Toolstation League side.

For the last few years Melksham have been the butt of most people's jokes with countless managers, inadequate players and a team spirit that was virtually non existent.

Highmore's shock summer arrival from neighbours Calne Town has since sparked the club's best start to a season since former manager Darren Perrin's glory days and has installed fresh hope among the Conigre faithful.

Without a game for seven days, Highmore is able to reflect on the early months of his regime which has seen them lose just three league matches and allow him dreams of one day overhauling Corsham Town.

He said: "I am looking at the whole club. Our under 18s were champions last year but the first team and the reserves were in a real mess.

"Now if the reserves win their game in hand they are top of their league, thanks to the work of Tim Spier, Steve Cribbs and Lee Stephenson, while we have also made considerable advances in the first team.

"Everything is looking good at the moment but we know it will still take some time to get where we want to be. We are still showing some inexperience which we hope to remedy."

Long-suffering chairman Mick Perrin and Highmore both admitted in August their main aim was survival and despite their flying start, the manager insists nothing has changed.

He said: "We are not getting carried away. We need 40 points and then we can look at finishing higher. I am confident we will stay up now though.

"I think we have shut a few people up. Fortunately the players I have brought in have settled in quickly. We are organised now and the team spirit is fantastic.

"We have played Corsham twice already this season. The first match we were poor and the 2-0 defeat flattered us but in the second match I think we deserved a draw.

"Corsham are undoubtedly the top team in Wiltshire at this level and have set the benchmark that we are aiming for.

"We are chasing them and ultimately want to overhaul them.

"It won't happen this year but when we do it we know it will probably leave us in the top two in the league.

"That's my long-term aim"

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