BIDDESTONE assistant manager Barrie Fulker has retired from football after two seasons alongside boss Gary Skidmore.

The former Chippenham Town director of football and U18s manager returned to the game after a three-year break when Skidmore invited him to join him at Biddestone.

They masterminded promotion to the Screwfix League and continued to watch the side progress this season.

Fulker, 51, from Wells Close in Chippenham, said it was time for him to spend weekends doing something else but said he would welcome a return to the game in a different capacity.

"I will definitely continue to go along to games if I get the chance and I would even offer my services as a scout probably for Biddestone to start with.

"I have been involved in football for most of my life, playing or coaching, and was semi-retired until Gary asked me to be his assistant."

Fulker said he wished Biddestone the best of luck in the coming season: "I thought it was now time to step aside and let someone else take over who could bring something new to the club.

"I have really enjoyed working with song good young players at Biddestone and with the right signings they can definitely do better than this year."

Skidmore said losing Fulker would be a big loss to local football.

"I first worked closely with Barrie when I was the reserve coach at Chippenham and he was the U18s manager.

"When I applied for jobs I always had Barrie in mind as a person I wanted alongside me.

"He is a very knowledgeable football man and a smashing bloke and a good friend.

"When he said he was finishing I was very disappointed because he's such a great bloke to have around.

"You can ask any player that has been involved with Barrie and none of them will have a bad word to say about him.

"It's a big loss to local football rather than just Biddestone. If everyone had is attitude local football would be a far better place to be."

To replace Fulker both Graham Learmouth and Paul Rose will be joining the club in coaching capacities. Both were recently with Malmesbury Victoria with Learmouth formerly a Biddestone boss.