SCREWFIX LEAGUE: WITH players returning to pre-season training and this season's fixture lists being published the managers of the area's Screwfix League clubs are busy preparing for their new campaigns.

Dave Hopkins' Devizes Town side will travel to newly-promoted Exmouth Town on August 16, before taking on Frome Town at home, and the new boss is hoping that four early points will help make last season's dismal bottom of the table finish a distant memory.

"Although I don't know much about Exmouth, they did get promoted last year which makes them a good side," he said.

"Getting out of the First Division is very difficult so I'm expecting that to be quite a tough away fixture.

"Frome were promoted the year before last and are a similar side to us with their high work-rate. But looking at where we finished last season you can't say any match will be easy."

The first pre-season fixture to be played at Devizes' Nursteed Road ground will feature a North/West Wiltshire XI against a strong side from Bristol City.

Hopkins said he hopes the game will create a buzz and draw in a large crowd. "We will have a squad of 16 to 20 players from Devizes, Corsham and Bradford Town, including a number of trialists," said Hopkins.

"We are hoping for a big crowd. Bristol City have said they have a diehard core of 1,000 fans who travel anywhere.

"They have also done a mail-shot of 8,500 season tickets holders, so if only one per cent of those come it will be a huge crowd."

Devizes' Premier Division rivals Melksham Town got back into training this week and will entertain Bishop Sutton before travelling to Paulton Rovers and Brislington in their opening three league fixtures.

Manager Nigel Tripp said he hopes to build on the work his predecessor Robbie Lardner made last season.

"It's looking quite favourable at the moment," he said.

"Robbie wanted to take a break and we just want to pick up from where he left off."

Tripp said the first two away league fixtures would provide Melksham with a stern test early on in the campaign, adding: "Paulton and Brislington are going to be tough opposition."

Melksham warm up for the new season with friendlies against Calne Town, Forest Green, Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Malmesbury.

Said Tripp: "At the moment we are concentrating on sorting out the squad. We are trying to keep the players we want to stay and will then look at any new trialists.

"We had a good season last year and we want to improve on that."

One area the club will look to develop is bringing youth team players through to the first team. Tripp said there were a number of promising youngsters including Dan Lardner, Kevin Bowles and Gary Banks who could make an impact this term.

In Screwfix Division One, Corsham Town will build up for the new season with five home pre-season friendlies fixtures. They play Trowbridge Town on July 19, Frome Town on August 1, Swindon Supermarine on August 5, Fairford on August 9 and finish with Cirencester on August 12.

Manager Colin Bush, who left his post as assistant manager at Chippenham Town last season to take the reins at Corsham, has been set the target of finishing in the top half of the table.

"Last season we finished fourth or fifth from bottom so we are going to have to work hard to improve on that," said Bush.

"It's been more difficult for me this summer because I've changed clubs but we will work quietly and productively and at the end of the season we will be in our rightful position."

Corsham kick-off the season proper at newly-promoted Shrewton United and Bush is remaining wary of the slightly unknown quantity.

"I believe Shrewton are coming up from the league below and are league and cup champions," he said. "Obviously they are one hell of a team and we can't go into the game over confident.

"We will just have to pray for a good start and not make too many predictions or promises."

Bush hopes the appointment of former Chippenham Town player John Woods as his assistant will help stabilise the club for a push up the table.

Meanwhile, Calne Town are also preparing for their division one campaign with manager Kelvin Highmore looking to hold onto the majority of last season's side.

"At the end of the day it all depends on how many of the players we keep and how many new ones we can get in," Highmore said.

"It is all up in the air at the moment with various players on the move."

Looking ahead to the start of the full season Highmore expects some tricky early contests.

"Willand were a strong team last season and I believe they have been strengthening this summer, Cadbury's pitch is always difficult to play on at this time of the year and Shrewton are a very good side which I know well," he added.

"Last season a few of our players surprised the opposition but this season they are going to have to step up gear.

"Glenn Armstrong scored 28 goals last year but this season he will be a marked man."