BIDDESTONE chairman Andy Short is already looking forward to next season after his side escaped relegation in their first campaign in the Western League.

With former Malmesbury Victoria management duo Graham Learmouth and Paul Rose joining the coaching staff, Short is confident they will build on what they learned last season.

Gary Skidmore will remain as first team manager and he already has a couple of targets in mind as he looks to improve on last season's lowly finish.

Short said: "We were fortunate that the league expanded by three teams and had no relegation and are delighted to still be in the Western League.

"I think we handled the day to day administration well and we really enjoyed being up there.

"Gary Skidmore did well for us last season as manager. His man management skills are very good and he did well to keep a lot of our players at the club."

Short is hopeful Learmouth's arrival will add some experience to the club and is also hoping to strengthen their links with Chippenham Town this season.

He said: "What we needed was perhaps a bit more football knowledge at the club. Leo has a lot of experience of local football, as has Paul Rose, and both will be big assets. Chippenham under 18s play in the youth league and the costs of that are met by us so hopefully we can get some of them to join us after. It will help us strengthen our links with Chippenham Town. Perhaps if they want to give some players a trial we could give them that chance."