TOMMY SAUNDERS' footballing exile is over after the former Chippenham Town boss was unveiled as the man to take charge at Swindon Supermarine.

Saunders was at Hunts Copse to watch Marine draw 1-1 with Sutton Coldfield on Saturday and was formally appointed as Ray Baverstock's replacement minutes after the final whistle.

The outspoken 32-year-old led Chippenham from the Screwfix League to the Dr Martens Premier Division with back-to-back promotions and also took the Bluebirds to Wembley for the 2000 FA Vase final.

The bubble burst this season and Saunders left the club by 'mutual consent' at the start of November, but two months out of the game has done little to blunt the famous Saunders bravado.

"It's nice to be back," he said "Football's everything to me. I've really missed it and have considered taking over the Dog and Duck's second team at times. I can't wait to get started.

"My realistic expectation is to finish mid-table this year but I wouldn't want to manage at this club next season unless we can win the league.

"I've told the players I want to win the win the Dr Martens Western Division next season and I think everyone who knows me knows I will win it. That's confidence for you isn't it?"

Saunders, who was introduced to his new charges by outgoing manager Baverstock after the game, was pleased with what he saw in the 1-1 draw.

He said: "I think they played some cracking football.

"I will ring the changes in the summer where I think it is necessary to do so but on today's performance I think they've got some great footballers here who are capable of stepping up a level.

"I've come from the second biggest team in Wiltshire to join the fourth biggest team.

"My aim is to start competing with Salisbury and Chippenham.

"It's not at that level yet but it's far more advanced than Chippenham were when I joined them in 1998."

Marine chairman Steve Moore was delighted to land a manager with such a glittering cv.

"His pedigree is second to none," said Moore.

"Locally no one has achieved more and we're delighted to be able to bring him here.

"We are optimistic that he will help us move forward.

"He's excited by the possibility and so are we."

Saunders was joined at the game by former Chippenham goalkeeper Ian Harris, fuelling speculation that the Bath City coach will be named as Saunders' assistant.

The pair saw Ray Baverstock's final game in charge end in a stalemate, despite the hosts looking the better side for the best part of an hour.

Marine defender Darren McCluskey went closest to scoring at each end in the opening 30 minutes.

Coldfield's Mark Worsley saw his low 20-yarder deflected just over by McCluskey's outstretched leg before the big centre half headed Dave Toomey's right-wing free-kick sideways rather than at goal.

Justin Miller should have broken the deadlock on 35 after latching on to Barrie Matthews' through ball.

Miller saw his first effort blocked by goalkeeper Justin Bray, rounded the Coldfield No 1 at the second attempt but saw his goal-bound effort cleared off the line by Nail Watkins.

The visitors went close against the run of play in first-half stoppage time when Marvin Blake broke clear and rattled the Marine bar from the edge of the box.

Bray frustrated Jimmy Carter within two minutes of the restart before skipper Giles Harris opened the scoring, cutting in from the right flank to send a low curling effort inside the far post from 18 yards.

Coldfield levelled on the hour when Dean Perrow outstripped the Marine defence and finished clinically from a tight angle.

The Midlanders should have stolen three points at the death but substitute Todd Perry contrived to head over from point-blank range.

Saunders will take his new side to Halesowen next Saturday and a reunion with former employers Chippenham takes place in the Wiltshire Shield on February 4.

Supermarine: King, Toomey, Copp, Bennett, McCluskey, Gee, Terry, Harris, Matthews, Carter, Miller. Subs: Hodson, Slattery, Gilowicz, Futcher.