MIDFIELDER Ben Kirk admitted it was a huge relief to make his league debut for Chippenham on Saturday after red tape threatened to sabotage the switch.

With the start of the season just two days away, Kirk's move from Bridgwater to Hardenhuish was still shrouded in uncertainty due to his former club demanding compensation.

Just as it looked as though the deal would break down, the two clubs agreed terms making Kirk available for Saturday's Southern League opening day victory at Dunstable.

Kirk, 19, who was signed on a nominal fee, admitted the last few weeks have been difficult to cope with.

He said: "It is a big relief I am now a Chippenham player. The whole thing was going on a bit and at times I was beginning to wonder whether I would be allowed to go.

"The week when I was not involved with Chippenham, I had to spend training with Bridgwater and it felt very strange.

"My dad has been sorting it all out with Steve White and he went away last week so I was just left waiting to know what was going to happen.

"On the Thursday night I still didn't know whether I would be playing at Dunstable for Chippenham or at Clyst for Bridgwater."

Kirk has featured as a late replacement in both of Chippenham's first Southern League matches and he is relishing the challenge of higher league football.

He said: "I was desperate to come here because it is such a big step up in football.

"Everything here is done professionally and it makes a nice change to go to an away game on a coach rather than a minibus.

"I really enjoyed my time at Bridgwater and they have taught me a lot but at 19, I felt it was a great chance to further my footballing career."