WILTSHIRE football managers have hit out at Trowbridge Town's attempts to get their current Woodmarsh home accepted into the Western League, claiming it would lower standards.

After weeks of discussions with league officials, Trowbridge revealed to the Wiltshire Times they were confident Woodmarsh could be improved to meet the criteria for promotion.

They have applied for planning permission for a sheltered stand to accommodate 50 fans but rival bosses feel that is only one of their problems.

They argue the dressing room facilities are sub-standard, there is a lack of a social club and flood lights and facilities for supporters are not up to scratch.

They believe the only way Woodmarsh could be accepted into the Western league would be to drop the requirements.

Calne Town manager, Kelvin Highmore, believes by accepting Woodmarsh they would be making a mockery of the work other sides have put in to improve their grounds.

He said: "It would be very poor if Woodmarsh was accepted. Biddestone have put in a lot of time and money to improve their ground and it would not be fair if Trowbridge were allowed in without doing that to their ground.

"I really can't see how it could be got up to Western League standards. It looks as though the restructuring will make the league go down a level rather than up.

"A few years ago they would not have even gone to have a look at it, now they say it could be ok for the Screwfix league."

Colin Bush, manager of Corsham Town agreed. He said: "Whether it is Trowbridge or anyone else the standards have to be maintained or raised.

"Teams come and go but you need to ensure facilities are are up to scratch.

"The restructuring looks like it might lower the standards and it will also dilute the level of football as there are not enough players in the area for so many Screwfix League clubs.

"Every ground in the Western League should be able to cater for the biggest team and Woodmarsh can't. To accept it would be farcical."

Melksham Town boss, Nigel Tripp, feels allowing Woodmarsh in would mean a drop in standards.

He said: "The standard of the league has dropped in the last 10 years and this will just continue it. The side is capable of playing our level but by accepting them the league could be setting a precedent."

Westbury United manager, Derek Graham, believes they would be better off taking the option of ground sharing.

He said: "If they ground share at least they will still be encouraged to find a new home. Woodmarsh is not good enough for the Western League."

Biddestone United manager Gary Skidmore has witnessed the facilities at Woodmarsh first hand having played there twice this season and he admits it would surprise him if the ground was accepted.

He said: "It is one of the worse grounds in our division. If they think they can get it up to scratch then fair play, but I can't see how it can be done.

"The dressing rooms are awful and I thought they needed a social club on site."

Bradford Town manager Mark Hodkinson feels the league will be asking for trouble if they allow Woodmarsh in.

He said: "I don't have a problem but the league needs to consider what other sides will think.

"Many of the senior sides will simply not want to go there."

But Trowbridge chairman, John Fitchen, insists that by accepting Woodmarsh the league would not be lowering their standards.

He said: "We are confident we can meet their criteria. The big problem is planning permission for the stand but if we get that then it could be done.

"The league haven't seen the ground yet but we will get them to check out what we intend to do."