Former boss Perrin hopes for warm reception

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Tuesday 25th Dec 2007.

FORMER Chippenham Town boss Darren Perrin is hoping for a good reception when he returns to Hardenhuish Park tomorrow, nearly a year after being sacked by the club.

Perrin is now assistant manager at Mangotsfield United, who take on The Bluebirds in an important Southern League clash.

The ex-Chippenham boss was suspended in January this year before being officially sacked in February, with current boss Adie Mings taking over two months later.

On the eve of the Boxing Day clash, Perrin said he could not wait to return to Hardenhuish Park.

Perrin said: "I'm looking forward to going back to Chippenham. It's a club that's still close to me because of the manager, the players and especially the supporters, who are some of the best in the league.

"If we can't get promoted I sincerely hope Chippenham get promoted because they are a good club.

"Hopefully I will get a good reception and I go to Chippenham with my head held high.

"It will be nice to go back there and see them again and have a drink after the game, but I certainly won't acknowledge certain people."

"I'm enjoying my time at Mangotsfield and it's nice to work for a chairman who has played the game and who doesn't go into the press for the limelight and the publicity."

Chippenham skipper Iain Harvey denied Perrin's return added extra spice to the tie.

Harvey said: "It's a local derby and I don't think it's about any one person. It's just about us against them and another three points.

"There's no grudge between any players, managing staff or Darren. He's a top man and he done absolutely superb for Chippenham when he was here. Everyone got on with him and respected him.

"He will want to come back and put one over on us and that's how it should be.

"At the end of the day he wants his team to win."

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