TEENAGE midfielder Ian Herring has refused to rule out a permanent move to Hardenhuish Park after impressing in his first two outings for Chippenham.
Herring's third and final year as a scholar at Second Division Swindon Town is coming to an end and he believes his chances of a professional contract at the County Ground look slim.
The 19-year-old has joined Chippenham on loan, or work experience, until the end of the season and could extend his stay if he fails to land a deal at another Nationwide League club in the summer.
Said Herring: "I don't think there is a future for me at Swindon. I'd like to find another league club if I could but, if not, we'll take it from there at the end of the season.
"At this stage I'd still like to play higher than this level if I can, but I'm not ruling anything out."
Herring made his debut in the 1-0 defeat at Moor Green last week, and gave another energetic display alongside Mark Badman and Gary Horgan in the Bluebirds' engine room on Saturday.
He said: "Last week I came in with a good performance. This week I played slightly to the right of midfield, which was a bit different. But I thought I battled well.
"It was tough out there because of the pitch. It was a hard surface, which doesn't seem to have been watered. That means you have got to concentrate on your first touch, but the lads battled well."
Herring has spent much of the season playing for Dr Martens Eastern Division outfit Salisbury City but was recommended to Chippenham by Town youth team coach and former Bluebirds midfielder Jimmy Fraser.
He has been impressed by the standard of football in the Premier Division and is pleased to be playing his football at a higher level.
He said: "It is very good at Chippenham. The lads are very good, we work well as a team and everyone works for each other. I have thoroughly enjoyed it so far.
"After the bad run that we've recently had, people seem to think we are going to get relegated next year but I think the standard is very good from what I've seen so far. It was a good set up at Salisbury as well and they had a good set of lads. But they were young lads, and a bit inexperienced, and not as good as a team as Chippenham. This is a higher standard and better for me."
Herring's long throw-ins have provided Chippenham with an extra attacking option in the past two matches and he had a hand in Charlie Griffin's strike on Saturday.
He said: "It is something I've always had. I don't know where it has come from. It hurts my back now and again, but it is a very good weapon. We scored a goal from it on Saturday and it could prove very good."
Bluebirds manager Tommy Saunders is hoping to sign the midfielder permanently after seeing him make impressive start for the club.
He said: "Ian Herring was superb on Saturday and Swindon Town must have some really, really good players if they can let a 19-year-old like that leave.
"He is a nice footballer, there are no two ways about it. He has a nasty streak about him and I've told him I'm not going to accept that at this football club.
"There is a little trigger in there that I've got to try and switch off, but hopefully he'll carry on doing as well as he has done for the last two games.
"If Swindon don't change their minds, then we'd love to sign him on a contract here next season. I realise clubs like Swindon have got strict financial constrains on them and their loss could be our gain."
Saunders also added left-sided defender Dave Elsey to his squad ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.
Elsey was released by Mangotsfield and will play for Yate Town in the Hellenic League while providing cover for Chippenham.
Said Saunders: "I've got no other opportunities to sign any players. I've brought Dave in and, if we get any injuries, then he'll get his chance.
"If Dave Elsey was fit he would be the best player in this area. He sometimes finds it too easy to put weight on, but his distribution and positional play and knowledge of the game is fantastic."
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