GARETH Davies has agreed to stay at Chippenham Town for another season and says he wants to end his playing days at Hardenhuish Park.

The 29-year-old former Swindon Town and Wales U21 centre back missed much of last season through injury, but has still attracted plenty of attention in recent weeks from other non-league clubs keen to secure his signature.

But Davies, who lives in Chippenham and works for chairman Malcolm Lyus' firm DL Windows, will stay loyal to the club who helped him resurrect his playing career after he retired from the professional game in January 2002.

He said: "I agreed everything with Tommy Saunders last weekend. I'm really happy at Chippenham and the last four games of the season were really good.

"I see Chippenham Town as a smaller Hereford United. I love that club and I'm starting to love Chippenham as well. I think I've got five years left as a player and I'd like all of those to be at Chippenham.

"There was a lot of interest from other people, the main one being Newport County. Their manager Peter Nicholas signed me for Crystal Palace and came to my wedding, so we are very close.

"I had some good offers on the table, but money wasn't an issue for me. A couple of the offers I had would have meant moving house, but I wasn't going to do that."

Davies will begin the season playing on a pay-as-you-play basis, but expects to sign a contract should he emerge from the demanding early-season schedule injury-free.

He said: "I could have pushed for a contract from the start, but I want to prove that I'm not there to take Chippenham for a ride.

"For three-quarters of last season I was injured, but I know I'm the best centre half in that league. People can say what they want.

"Chippenham have helped me and done me a few favours, but me at my best would do Chippenham Town a few favours as well.

"I wasn't anywhere near full fitness when I came back at the end of last season after seven months out and I think I did fairly well considering the level of football.

"If I come through the first four or five weeks of next season, when there are a lot of games, then Tommy wants me to sign a contract because there is a chance another club could come in for me and only have to give seven days notice."

Saunders has also spoken to Davies over the vacant assistant manager's post at Hardenhuish Park, but the defender has confirmed he will not be taking the role.

He said: "I don't want to coach at the moment, not while I've got to prove to myself that I'm physically able to play football.

"Tommy understands my reasons. I don't think I could give the other players and Tommy enough quality time while trying to stay fit to play myself at the same time.

"I don't want to cheat either Tommy or the club. It is the right job, but at the wrong time. I'm only 29 and it would probably suit someone like Adie Mings or Colin Towler more than me."

Davies decision to stay at Chippenham means all but two members of the squad that finished the 2002/03 campaign will remain Bluebirds players next year.

Goalkeeper James Bittner is stalling over a contract offer while he looks for a return to the professional game, while long-serving Shane Andrews has decided to leave.