AMBITIOUS Fairford Town boss John Paget has hailed his club’s link up with neighbours Real Fairford a “huge success,” as he looks to put the Gloucestershire town back on the footballing map.

The Cinder Lane chief has had a pool of over 40 players to choose from this season, with the two Fairford squads combining during training sessions.

Spared the indignity of relegation by league restructuring last year, Paget’s men are enjoying a renaissance in the Hellenic League Premier Division, and the manager knows exactly where the praise should lie.

Paget, pictured,said: “It was a brilliant idea to forge a link between the two clubs and my assistant Steve Bennett should take a lot of credit for that.

“He coached Real Fairford last season, and he played a big role in getting the two clubs together.

“Now we have four sides, two in the Hellenic League and two in the Cirencester League, and all the teams are performing well.

“We had over 40 at training on Wednesday, and that was not including the first team.

“The competition has definitely had a bearing on results, and we are now seeing some of the Real Fairford players pushing through.

“My two wingers Matty Reynolds and Duncan Scrivens were both playing in the Ciren League last year and they have made the step up. Things are looking very bright.”

Fairford host Winterbourne United in the Supplementary Cup tomorrow, but Paget admits his attention lies elsewhere.

With the big derby with rivals Highworth less than a week away, the Fairford chief is already rubbing his hands in anticipation.

He said: “The Highworth game is the biggest of the season for us, and me personally, so I can’t wait for it to come round.

“If results go for us at the weekend, we could actually leapfrog Highworth if we beat them - now that would be a story. But we have Winterbourne to deal with first.

“I don’t know too much about them, so I’ll probably give (Wootton Bassett boss) Dave Turner a call, as his side beat them on Tuesday.

“We are full of confidence at the moment, so even though the league is our priority we will be looking for a positive result.”

Defender Steve Bennett (calf) will be rested ahead of the Highworth game, with Pete Griffiths set to take his place at centre back.

Highworth will be hoping to put some daylight between themselves and Fairford in the table with victory over Flackwell Heath at the Elms.

Meanwhile, Mark Love’s Shrivenham will be hoping to build on their midweek win at Harrow Hill when they welcome high-flying Almondsbury Town to the Rec.