Shrivenham’s new signing Richard Poulton has swapped his Friday evenings out for an early night as he gears up for a debut season in the Hellenic League.

After spending all his footballing career with Wilts League Wroughton, Poulton is looking forward to making the double step up divisions – even if it does mean sacrificing a Friday night in the pub.

“I’ve played at Wroughton all my life really so it’s going to be different,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of friendlies against higher league sides and you see straight away they are quicker and sharper than what I’m used to.

“Friday nights out are now a no go because you’d get run ragged on a Saturday – there is very little room for error against these sorts of teams.”

Poulton realises critics will predict trouble for Shrivvy but warns not to write them off just because they’re not recognised names at this level.

He added: “Other sides have got players who are well established at this level but just because people do not know who we are or what we are about doesn’t mean we are not ready for it.”

The tall centre-half is also excited about the prospect of playing in front of big crowds – particularly the local derby with Highworth at the end of this month.

“I’ve been told that the groundhopper days for the derby game sees about 300 people turn out which is fantastic because it’s about 20 times the people I’m used to.

“At Wroughton we didn’t really have the same rivalries so it will be fun to be a part of that and to have more of an atmosphere.”