CHIPPENHAM boss Steve White has thrown out a bid by Conference club Forest Green Rovers to prise away his star striker James Constable.

The Gloucestershire club are believed to have bid around £2,000 for the 19-year-old but White said the offer is derisory.

"The bottom line is that James is going nowhere whilst I'm at the football club," he said.

"If and when he's ready to play at a higher level we won't stand in his way.

"He had done very well but he will be a marked man now which is something he will have to deal with.

"I think he will be able to deal with it because of his temperament and attitude which are superb."

Rovers boss Tim Harris had watched the young striker in action for the Bluebirds as his scintillating form helped revitalise their play-off push.

The week the Conference club made a verbal offer but we told to come back with a written offer before any discussions would take place.

Constable has fast become a crowd favourite at Hardenhuish Park since joining from Cirencester at the end of Decemeber.

He has forged a formidable partnership with 17-goal Charlie Griffin and so far has ten goals to his name in 14 appearances.

Harris admitted the approach had been made for Constable but said Forest Green had their eyes on a number of potential targets.

"We have made a tentative enquiry for Constable," he said. "Our football director spoke to Chris Blake but I believe but it hasn't gone any further than that at the moment.

"I spoke to Steve White about him a couple of months ago as well and I have watched him in action for Chippenham.

"But Chippenham have done remarkably well of late and we don't want to rock the boat.

"We want them to achieve what they are trying to achieve. We are very cautious of their delicate situation and don't want to cause any unrest."

Harris said the Conference club are now weighing up whether to make a formal written approach for the young Bluebirds striker.

"We may follow up our enquiry for Constable but we are looking at a lot of opportunities at the moment as you would expect," he added.

"We have a few people on our shopping list at the moment and Constable is one of them."

White said he was confident that Constable would play at a higher level at some stage of his career.

But he said the club was keen not to let the youngster go too soon and certainly not on the cheap.

"There is no question of doubt that James will play at football league level," White continued.

"But unless we a get an offer that is at least five figures we won't even consider it."

White also said that the current financial worries at Hardenhuish would not force the club to sell off their best players cheaply.

"At the end of the day £1,000 or £2,000 is not going to make much difference either way," he said. "James is not going anywhere at the moment."

Chippenham have announced that the derby clash with Bath City at Hardenhuish Park on April 3 will be all ticket.

It has also been decided to limit the attendance to 1,500 of which Bath City will be allocated 450 tickets.

The fixture proved lucrative last season attracting a crowd of 1,906 and Chippenham's current financial problems have been well documented.

During the fixture on August Bank Holiday Monday two seasons ago, a wall collapsed behind one of the goals, injuring a number of Bath fans and striker Jamie Gosling.

Club secretary Chris Blake said the correct decision had been made on safety grounds and added that Bath City had given it their full backing.

"This decision was made following discussions with local safety officials and the police," said Blake.

"It has been made in consultation with Bath City Football Club and they fully support the reasons behind our decision.

"While we recognise that some supporters will be naturally disappointed by our decision we consider it to be in the best interests of both clubs and at the end of the day spectator safety is paramount and must take precedence."

Tickets for home fans will go on sale at Hardenhuish Park after the Dover Athletic game on Saturday.

Bluebirds fans will also be able to go to the ground on certain days in the next two weeks to buys ticket. The club have yet to announce which days these will be.

A supporters' coach for Chippenham's trip to Steve Claridge's title-chasing Weymouth on March 27 has been arranged.

The coach will leave Hardenhuish Park at 11.30am. Seats are £8 adults and £4 for under-16s.

To book seats telephone Andy Pullen on (01249) 814655 or Hatts Coaches on (01249) 740444.