MALMESBURY Victoria have announced former Corsham Town manager Trevor Rawlings will be joining their coaching set-up for the 2016/17 season.

Manager Kev Bridgeman has captured Rawlings to beef up his staff as the club prepare for their first season in the Toolstation League.

“I have known Trev for a number of years, we began speaking towards the end of last season and we both had a mutual interest in him potentially joining my backroom team for this season," he said.

“He came to watch a couple of games towards the end of last season and met both myself and the new committee on a number of occasions, and he was really impressed by our visions for the club.”

Bridgeman said Rawlings had plenty of interest from a number of Toolstation League clubs, but he felt Malmesbury was a perfect fit.

The Vics boss hopes his new man will bring an experienced head to his coaching team, adding: “He (Rawlings) will bring a wealth of knowledge of the Toolstation League from his time as manager of Corsham, and he has access to a lot of players that he managed.”

The Vics squad are back in for pre-season training and manager Bridgeman is hopeful of success as he looks forward to establishing the Flying Monk ground club back at the higher league level, following their stint in the Wiltshire League.

He said: “We begin with (summer) friendlies, starting on Saturday and we entertain Chippenham Town in our highest profile game on July 16.

“I am very pleased to say that apart from one player, everyone that was with us last season will be joining us again next year.”

Bridgeman is refusing to aim too high for the forthcoming season and will be content with his side being competitive as he views the season ahead as one of consolidation.

The manager added: “I believe - and it’s echoed by the committee - that Malmesbury is a big player in the local football scene.

“We should be competing in the Toolstation League on a regular basis.”