SCREWFIX DIRECT LEAGUE: KELVIN Highmore will co-manage Screwfix Direct First Division Calne Town alongside Paul Rankin next season after ending a five-year association with Biddestone.

Highmore, who led Biddestone to a mid-table finish in the Wiltshire League Premier Division last season, takes over from Rankin's former sidekick Mark Jefferies, who has opted to leave the Bremhill View club.

Calne finished second bottom of the league last season, but are almost certain to avoid the drop into county football due to a restructuring of the league for the second successive year.

Highmore admitted leaving Biddestone had been difficult after three years, but he is looking forward to operating at Screwfix Direct League level.

He said: "One half of me is really pleased, but it was a major wrench leaving Biddestone. At the end of the day, it is an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

"I feel the time is right to make the step up and Paul Rankin has managed at that level for five years. I'll help him and learn from him at the same time.

"I've run a Skurray's Premier side on my own for three years and it will be good to make the step up to a higher standard. I am looking forward to it and it will be a challenge."

Highmore played in the Western League for both Calne and Melksham Town. He hopes his knowledge of the Wiltshire football scene will assist Calne in their bid for an improved campaign next season.

Said Highmore: "I've had a lot of players at Biddestone that I've lost because they wanted to play Western League football. I'll go through a list of targets with Paul, but some of those spring to mid because I can now offer them a higher standard.

"If we can finish mid-table or above next season and get some stability there then we will have succeeded. They have had four bad seasons and hopefully I can help them improve that"

Calne co-boss Rankin is pleased with the appointment and is looking forward to his second season at the helm.

He said: "He has given it a lot of thought, but I'm delighted to have Kelvin on board as joint team manager.

"I've managed to convince him that Calne Town have a good future. We had a lot of dealings with each other last season and he was always on hand to offer help. He knows plenty about Wiltshire football and is a similar character to me. I respect his knowledge and think we can work well together."

l MICK Leeson will take over the managerial reins at Biddestone following Highmore's move to Calne. Leeson assisted the former boss last term.

Biddestone secretary Keith Pound said: "We were very sad to see Kelvin go, but you have to respect his wishes to go and manage at a higher level.

"Mick will take over. He helped Kelvin towards the end of the season and will carry it on. He got to know the lads and they seemed to gel well."