JEFF ROBERTS believes he has made a key appointment to Highworth Town’s coaching staff as Tom Jones has agreed to join the club.

The Highworth boss, who is preparing his troops for Southern League football next season, revealed the vastly experienced and former Swindon Town man will help coach his squad.

Jones, who was most recently at Chippenham Town, is just one addition to the Worthians’ squad as Roberts claims to have made seven new signings.

While the Highworth manager refuses to name his new recruits, he says Jones will make the world of difference at the newly named Save on Tyres Stadium.

“We have brought in a few signings because obviously we are going up a division, we have deals with seven new players and eight have agreed to re-sign,” said Roberts.

“We are bringing in Tom Jones now as our main coach at the football club. I sat down with him last week and told him about the club.

“Stabilising our position is something we are looking to do. There were a few areas which we needed to improve on and the coaching side of things was one of those.

“Jones is keen and he is a great thing for us. We need to come forward now, we are going to train three times a week.

“He’s a great technical coach and I think that is a route we had to go down regardless.”

Highworth Town have also been handed mixed results in terms of next year’s squad, as striker Ash Edenborough, who notched 25 times last term, has agreed to return.

However, Roberts will have to seek a replacement for 31-year-old winger Nick Stanley as he has decided to retire from football.

“There are a few players who we are waiting to hear from. The eight who have already agreed are good lads, they were committed last year,” he added.

“We start training in three weeks, so hopefully by early next week we will know what we are working with.

“We have some good young players coming in who are willing to learn and they want to play football the same way we want to play.”

Highworth are also holding a celebratory evening in recognition of the club’s 125th anniversary, which will be held at the De Vere Hotel on July 13.

Supporters or former players interested in attending can get more information by contacting club secretary Fraser Haines on fraserhaines@btinternet.com.