FAIRFORD boss John Paget knows his side are a stepping stone to the upper reaches of non-league football, but is relishing the chance to develop some of the best young talent in the local area.

While many clubs in the Hellenic League Premier Division operate on a budget, Paget is unable to offer his players any sort of expenses.

However, after avoiding relegation on a shoe-string last season, Fairford’s supremo is looking forward to another challenging, and rewarding, campaign.

He said: “We joined forces with a local side Real Fairford during the summer and have had around 60 players training for the four teams which we will be running this season. So numbers have been very good.

“A lot of teams can offer financial packages to players and we can’t even begin to compete on that front.

“But we look at it from the other way. We don’t get any of the old seasoned pros who do the rounds because they all want money. So we have to rely on youth and local talent. We’re trying to bring guys through the local system. That’s the only way we can do it.

“We’ve had a year at it last year and we were lucky enough to survive. The players will be better off for a year’s experience and they have come on leaps and bounds.”

Paget has had to contend with the loss of star striker Bradley Gill to rivals Highworth Town over the summer, although his departure has been tempered by the return of Alex Rudd.

Also arriving at Cinder Lane is Sam Walker, a centre-half who has returned to the area after going to university in Plymouth, and Paget is hoping his acquisitions can spark a push for midtable.

He said: “Sam’s big, tall and will be a good signing for us. We’ve also signed a guy called Lee Sugden who has moved to the area from London.

“So things are looking pretty good in terms of strengthening the squad.

“I would hope to think that we would be to finish in mid-table and that’s my aim.

“We’ve got the opportunity to do that. We’ve brought in two or three really good players and there are a lot of positives coming out of the club.”