SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: CALNE Town striker Gary Banks fired a parting shot at his old club after leaving Melksham Town last week.

The 20-year-old scored two goals on his debut for Calne at home to Weston St Johns on Saturday and then launched an attack on his former employers.

He said: "It was great to score two goals on my debut and enjoy playing football again because I just wasn't enjoying it at Melksham.

"I believe Melksham are going downhill quickly as a club and I am glad to be out of there.

"Their manager, Nigel Tripp, has let a few good players leave and has not replaced them with any quality."

Banks was brought to Melksham in the summer of 2002 by Robbie Lardner but has struggled to make his mark.

A recurring groin injury has partly hampered his progress, but Banks also blames Tripp for his lack of first team opportunities.

He said: "I enjoyed it at Melksham when Robbie Lardner was manager there but things have gone wrong this season.

"I don't agree with the manager's selection policy at all. Earlier this season he brought in Tom Pang from Bradford for a couple of games even though he was not going to sign for us.

"I was playing well at the time but got left out for him to come in and I thought that was completely out of order."

Banks had recently turned down a move to Corsham Town but the striker is confident he has made the right decision in switching to Calne.

He said: "I didn't think Corsham was the right move for me but when Kelvin Highmore came in for me I knew straightaway I had to leave.

"I felt there was no team spirit at Melksham and no-one was enjoying their football.

"The way Melksham are heading I felt I had no choice but to leave if I wanted to progress in football."

Banks has followed his brother, Kevin, to Bremhill View after the midfielder left the Conigre last month.

"Nigel Tripp has treated some players quite badly," Gary Banks added.

"Simon Price was let go and he is now keeping himself fit with Broughton Gifford. He has the ability to make it in the Screwfix Premier.

"Also he let my brother go which was a strange decision. Players like the Messengers and Russell Fishlock have left the club and Tripp has made things worse by bringing in players who are simply not good enough."

Banks enjoyed an eventful debut on Saturday, starring in Calne's 3-3 draw with Weston, and the striker said he was just looking forward to the rest of the season.

He said: "Hopefully I can keep myself fit and start enjoying my football again.

"We paid for being a bit slack at the back on Saturday and fair play to Weston, they capitalised on our mistakes.

"But I know Kelvin Highmore and his assistant Simon Hillier well and I am looking forward to playing for them."

Highmore has a number of selection problems ahead of tomorrow's match at Minehead.

Ryan Pratley (back) and Graham Ford (ribs) are doubtful with injury while Matt Pratley is suspended and Kevin Banks and Martin Wheeler unavailable.

Highmore is likely to include young midfielder Charlie Spirral in his squad.

Calne then travel to Westbury on Wednesday.