MALMESBURY Victoria are relishing their return to tier six in the non-league pyramid after an absence of two years.

The Flying Monk ground side will begin life in Toolstation League First Division on Saturday with a trip to Roman Glass St George.

It is the Vics’ first campaign in the Western League, having played all their previous tier six football in the Hellenic League.

Malmesbury resigned from there two seasons ago due to a lack of finances, but with a change of committee, more off-field fundraising, as well as a Wiltshire League crown, followed by a third-placed finish last term, Kevin Bridgeman’s men can’t wait for 3pm Saturday.

“We are looking forward to it,” Bridgeman said. “This has come at the right time for us as, when we resigned from the Hellenic League, we had a three-year plan to get back to that level.

“We have had a complete change of committee, the finances are on a much more stable footing and the fundraising that has gone on means we have got the infrastructure in place for the new season.”

On the field, Bridgeman is looking for his Vics side to finish above local rivals Calne Town, Corsham Town, Devizes Town and Westbury United as they look to consolidate life in tier six and has brought in 10 new faces.

The manager, conscious of the number of games that his side face this season – there are 44 league matches as well as three cup competitions – has bolstered his squad by bringing in 10 new faces.

Josh Langley and Ant Brown have returned to the Flying Monk after finishing the last campaign at Cirencester Town, while Tim Bond and George Peare has also signed on after playing for Cirencester Town Development.

Jamie Packer and Andy Baker have also arrived at the club from Avondale United, following their resignation from the Gloucestershire Northern Senior League, while Dan Cole has joined from Wroughton and Lee Fernandez has signed from Bradford Town.

Kieron Gleed and Sam Ockwell have penned dual registration forms.

“It does look like we have brought in a lot of new faces, but they all know each and they have gelled with the rest of the squad really well,” Bridgeman said.