CALNE Town striker Glenn Armstrong admits he is bemused by Kelvin Highmore's decision to quit as boss of the club to fill the managerial hotseat at rivals Melksham Town.

Highmore has just led Calne to promotion to the Screwfix Premier Division and a Les Phillips Cup final, but stunned his players when he resigned on Tuesday night.

Armstrong praised the work Highmore has done in his three-year spell at Bremhill View but has questioned whether he will be any better off at Melksham. He said: "I knew Kelvin was not happy with quite a few things here but it is definitely a weird time to go because we have just been promoted. It is a strange time to go.

"Are Melksham Town going to do any better than us? We have shown what we can do against higher league sides whereas where did they finish in the league? Near the bottom.

"Kelvin has done brilliantly for the club over the last three years and I wish him all the best but I just think it is a shame he has decided to go now."

Highmore's switch has sparked fears a number of Calne's stars might follow him to the Conigre, including a number of former Melksham players who were tempted to Bremhill View by him.

But Armstrong is confident there will not be a mass exodus.

He said: "I am definitely not going to go to Melksham and I expect to be here again next season. Are the old Melksham players going to go back with Kelvin?

"I expect a couple of players will move on with him but I think the majority will stay."

Highmore is hoping Calne assistant manager Simon Hillier will follow him to the Conigre but Armstrong has no doubt he will stay .

He said: "I know for a fact Simon will not be going to Melksham. The only problem is because of his work commitments he does not have time to become a manager. I think the players would like Robbie Lardner to step up and take it on because he already has the players' respect."