DEVIZES skipper James Gaiger hopes the arrival of former Bath coach John Kimberley can push the club towards a Southern Counties South promotion challenge this season.

Kimberley, whose coaching CV includes stints in charge of Bath’s United and U21 side, Dorset & Wilts and the Saddlebacks’ divisional rivals Salisbury, will be joined by club stalwart Dave Sullivan as Devizes aim to improve on last season’s mid-table finish.

Gaiger, whose players returned to pre-season training at the start of the month, said: “What I hope will really help all the senior teams is that we now have two high-class coaches in place.

“John Kimberley and Dave Sullivan both have extensive experience. As players we need to tap into that and our performances will improve overnight.’’ Gaiger added: “The league will be much tougher this season, with the arrival of Salisbury and Trowbridge from the league above, while the sides promoted have come up with very impressive records, notably Marlborough, and will no doubt do very well.

“Add these to what was already a competitive league and the scale of our task becomes clear.

“That said, we have a talented young squad and it is clear the club is giving us every support in our efforts to succeed.’’ First team winger James Atwell, a qualified personal trainer, has been leading fitness sessions, while the club, mainly sponsored by Wiltshire Concrete, have also invested in new floodlights at their London Road base.

Praising the efforts of the club’s committee, Gaiger added: “We are also adding one of two little things which we hope will help make a difference, such as providing food after training, videoing first-team matches to improve the level of feedback we can get from our performances and we have also purchased a large amount of new training gear.’’ Devizes have two pre-season friendlies organised so far, at Wootton Bassett on August 24 (6.30pm) and at home to the Honourable Artillery Company from London on September 4 (12.30pm).

Chris Maundrell will lead the second team, with Ryan Wallbridge as player-manager, while Paul Naish will again skipper the thirds Devizes RFC welcomes all players of all abilities. Contact James Gaiger on 07884490943 for further information.