MIDFIELDER Wayne Thorne is hoping to turn from zero to hero for Chippenham Town next season following his recent move from Western Division side Clevedon Town.

He was the scourge of the Bluebirds last season when he bagged an injury time winner for his former club as Clevedon defeated Chippenham 3-2 in a bad-tempered clash at the Hand Stadium in September.

The strike was Thorne's second of the evening and extended Chippenham's winless run to two matches. But visiting manager Saunders was clearly impressed with what he saw from Thorne and made him one of his first pre-season captures.

Thorne hopes his new boss will forgive him and is looking forward to the step up to the Premier Division next term

Said Thorne: "Tommy said the winner in that game was offside, but it never was.

"I'm just happy to be at Chippenham now. Tommy rang me just after the season finished. I was enjoying my football at Clevedon, but this is the chance to move up a league and I've jumped at it.

"I've played in the Premier with both Gloucester and Clevedon and got relegated both times, but hopefully I'm there to stay this time."

Thorne was suspended when Chippenham avenged their early season defeat with a 4-0 trouncing of Clevedon at Hardenhuish in January, but the home side's performance that day helped influence his decision to move to Hardenhuish Park once the season reached its conclusion.

He said: "They played well last season and fully deserved to go up. I think Tommy has strengthened the squad this season and hopefully we can do well."