DEVIZES Town manager Mark Godley says the death of his father has made pre-season a tough challenge for him.

He said: Godley said: "This has been the hardest pre-season for me both personally and professionally. My father passed away just before the summer has this has had a profound effect on me. I found this summer difficult and tough, the situation with pre-season has made it increasingly difficult.

"The club have been supportive, I would have liked to give pre-season 100 per cent but it was difficult due to the circumstances."

He took over at the end of last season after Dave Hopkins resigned and it is his first managerial job in 18 months since he was at Corsham.

He said: "The club is not financially sound, but we have a good chairman and good members of the board and they have put in a lot of effort to make Devizes a good club. We hope to consolidate our position this year."

Godley does not put his side as one of the favourites this year. He said: "Frome and Biddeford will do well and I think that newly promoted Corsham are an extremely strong side."

Godley does think that the team can take a lot out of the forthcoming season.

He said: "I hope we can play an improved level of football and the club can be more professional on and off the pitch."

Godley has sgruggled to put out a full team in his pre-season friendlies, which led to a 7-0 drubbing at Shrivenham.

He said: "The summer has not been ideal. It has been difficult to get out my best side. I don't think we will have the side I want on the first day of the season. But I hope we can move on."

Midfielder Nathan Perkins has decided not to leave the club despite joining up for pre-season training. Godley said: "He was a strong player for us. But it showed in his performances that he did not want to play for us."

Despite this Godley says that some of his players have had a good pre-season. He said: "Gary Campbell has done well, so has Nick Mooney. Also Brad Newman has had a good pre-season."

Brain Kyall a defender, Dave Macey a forward and Simon Price, another forward have all made the switch to Devizes from rivals Melksham.

Midfielder Newman, who left the club for Odd Down last season was also persuaded to return to the fold.

Godley did want a few more new faces but finances restricted him.

He said: "I think every manager wants to sign more and more players but I am more than happy with what I have brought in this summer. I am extremely happy that no one has decided to leave the club "

As Godley has been out of management for a while he is relishing the chance to prove himself.

He said: "I hope my experience at Corsham can rub off on these players. But it will be a long old season."