DR MARTENS LEAGUE: TITLE-CHASING Chippenham Town will hit their in-form players in the pocket should they over-indulge on turkey and Christmas pudding over the festive period.

The Bluebirds, currently lying second in the Dr Martens League Western Division, embark on a gruelling programme of four games in the space of 11 days when they make the trip to top of the table Halesowen Town on Saturday.

And the Bluebirds management team have hatched a novel plan to ensure their players stay in trim for a period that could make or break their promotion dreams come April.

The weight of every first team player has now been recorded and the scales will be consulted once again when the squad reconvene after the fixture at Gloucester City on New Year's Day.

Players will be allowed to be 2lbs over their original weight but any more than that and individuals will be fined £10 for every lb. The funds raised will go towards a charity of the players' choosing.

Assistant manager Colin Bush, who looks after the fitness of the Bluebirds players throughout the season, believes he will not have the task of collecting too much money from the players come January.

He said: "The players are as good as gold and have been all season. With the amount of games we've got and our position in the league, I can't see for one minute that they will be overweight.

"Christmas is short and sharp and they'll only have a couple of days to really blow out. Its just something to keep them on their toes and is a Christmas gesture with a serious edge to it.

"Professional clubs do it anyway and everybody took it the right way. As long as no-one tampers with the scales then we'll be alright."

Bush does, however, feel some sympathy towards the likes of Danny Hunt and Dave Bright, players who are struggling with injury.

He said: "It is the injured players I feel a bit sorry for. They have been weighed as well and are right up against it."

Team captain Steve Tweddle is another who believes his fellow players will not relax their high standards over the festive period.

He said: "When I first heard about it I thought it was a joke, but all the boys seem happy enough about it.

"On a serious note, we are determined to do well in the league and none of the lads have taken any slacking off from anyone so far this season. Christmas will be no different.

"It would be very difficult to slack off anyway, because we are playing Saturday, Boxing Day, Saturday, and New Year's Day, but this thing is just another way of ensuring it doesn't happen."

The striker, who bagged his 11th goal of the campaign in the Bluebirds' 3-0 victory over Cirencester Town on Saturday, feels team spirit could not be higher going into Saturday's promotion six-pointer in the Midlands.

Said Tweddle: "The thing about the club is we've got such a great team spirit and that, together with the performances, is carrying us through.

"People talk about Wembley, but the team spirit is better now than it was then. It is better than any club I've been at before.

"Saturday is a massive game for us but, if things don't go right, we shouldn't get too worried about it. They are bound to drop points at some stage and we won't be out of it.

"We will go there looking to beat them, we don't go anywhere just to draw. We should have beaten them at home and just gave away a bad penalty in injury time."

Two goals from Tweddle put Chippenham in the driving seat in their corresponding clash with Halesowen at Hardenhuish Park on August 25.

Substitute defender Darren McCluskey, on his only appearance for the club, then conceded a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time, enabling pre-season title favourites Halesowen to escape with a 2-2 draw.

Chippenham enter the clash having lost just once in 12 league games, while Halesowen have seized top spot thanks to a nine-match unbeaten run. Both sides have posted 6-0 and 3-0 victories in the past two weeks.

Bluebirds' assistant manager Bush believes the importance of Saturday's encounter is a mark of how far his side have come in a short period of time.

He said: "There was a whole league between us last season, they were relegated from the Premier and we were promoted from the Screwfix.

"The gulf between the two sides has been closed so quickly and we were very disappointed to draw with them early in the season with the injury time penalty.

"We treat every game as a big game anyway, but every now and then there is a first versus second. This game will not decide who is going to be champions because there are only three points at stake on Saturday.

"We've both been putting wins together and they are a good side. It will be a clash of styles and we know it will be all about how we set ourselves up on the day."

Chippenham follow their match at Halesowen with a Wiltshire derby against improving bottom club Swindon Supermarine at Hardenhuish Park on Boxing Day, kick off 11am.

The Hellenic League champions' fortunes have improved recently under ex-Trowbridge Town boss John Murphy and the clash will see former Bluebirds Lea James and Nick Beaverstock return to Chippenham.

Said Bush: "We played them on a lovely day up there earlier in the season and beat them thanks to two mistakes, really. A couple of the old boys have gone there and that will add a bit of spice to it."

Chippenham Town Supporters' Club are organising coach travel for fans making the trip to Halesowen Town on Saturday. Anyone interested can contact Andy Pullen on (01249) 814655 for details.