SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: NEW Devizes Town boss Ray Baverstock has pulled off a real coup on the eve of the new campaign by securing the services of former Welsh international defender Paul Bodin.

The ex-Swindon Town left back turned out in the 3-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Forest Green Rovers at the weekend will make his league debut for the club in the Screwfix Direct Premier Division opener against Welton Rovers at Nursteed Road on Saturday.

Baverstock moved quickly to fill the void left by prolific goalscorer Barry Flippance, who left Devizes for Hellenic League neighbours Pewsey Vale in a £200 deal at the weekend.

Dave Godley, who has spent much of the summer on trial at Chippenham Town, has linked-up with his former boss at Cirencester and goes straight into the side for Saturday's clash.

Former Cirencester centre backs Steve Richardson and Andy Grange have also moved in as Baverstock begins a rebuilding programme expected to last weeks rather than days.

More new faces could appear before the game against Welton, but Baverstock is pleased with the progress he and assistant Pat Slattery have made.

He said: "Paul Bodin has signed for us and will help us out when he can. He will be a tremendous asset for us.

"I'm not sure how often he'll play, but he will play as much as his other commitments as a youth coach at Swindon allow and we'll go from there.

"I'm hoping David Godley will score some goals for us. His ability is unquestionable and I think he will be as good for Devizes as Barry Flippance."

Baverstock will continue his search for new blood after taking the managerial reins just 11 days before the start of the new season, but insisted the remaining members of Brian Newlands' squad will not be left in the cold.

He said: "It is always difficult to bring players in a week before the season starts and we have to make sure we get the right players.

"Not too many players are without clubs at this stage and it is important for us to get a good start on Saturday. If we are doing well then it will be easier to get players over.

"The likes of Andy Coombes, Jim Griffin and Chris Copp are all very important to the club. They all look very good players and it is important to show them some loyalty."

Flippance fired 66 goals in 84 goals for Devizes over the past two seasons but decided to leave after Newlands stood down as manager last month.

The 31-year-old will begin his third spell as a Pewsey player at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday and warmed up with four first half goals in Tuesday night's friendly against an Army side.

Said Flippance: "I'm really looking forward to it.

"I left Devizes to spend more time with my family. I have an eight-month-old son, Harvey, and didn't want to miss out on him growing up while I was stuck down in Bideford or somewhere at 9pm on a Saturday night. Pewsey's ground is less than a minute's walk from my house and I can see the clubhouse from my window.

"I'm back where I started and won't be going anywhere else now. I'm hoping to score 20 to 25 goals for Pewsey this year as long as I'm fortunate enough to steer clear of injury."

Pewsey chairman Rob Thompson was delighted to have landed the striker for just ten per cent of the price he had expected to pay.

Said Thompson: "Barry was told by Devizes that they would release him on a free if things didn't work out, but they didn't and insisted on us buying his contract out.

"Knowing what they received from Chippenham for their goalkeeper, I thoroughly expected to pay £2,000 for their top scorer and we raised the money through businesses in the local community. But Devizes only asked for £200, so we just laughed and paid up."