MELKSHAM Town loanee Joe Romanski revealed he turned down offers to join clubs in higher divisions in order to repay the faith shown in him by the management team at the InfiLED Arena.

Romanski – who is on loan from Swindon Town for the remainder of the season – has played every minute of Melksham’s campaign under Richard Fey since moving further south last September.

The Black and Yellows were struggling near the foot of the table when the defender first arrived before an extraordinary run of 10 consecutive victories pushed Melksham up to within touching distance of the play-offs.

In an exclusive interview with the Adver, Romanski said he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the InfiLED Arena and wants to stay for the remainder of the season because he does not wish to disrupt a good thing.

He said: “It would be nice to play higher, but you’ve got to consider the circumstances.

“I’m playing every week, I’m still playing against men where you get pushed about a bit and it’s a good level. I feel like I’m definitely a better player now than when I arrived too.

“I’ve had opportunities to play in higher leagues, but I just felt that we were doing so well that I wanted to stay and see where things lead.

“Everyone at the club has made me feel so welcome and wanted, they’ve filled me with confidence over the way I’ve played.

“And I’ve played every minute of every game I’ve been available for, so when someone has that trust in you, you feel like you should repay that faith.”

Romanski’s loan club is only outside the Southern League Division One South play-offs on goal difference.

If Melksham are to make it into the top five though, the 20-year-old might need to add to his tally of four goals from 26 appearances between now and the end of the season.

Discussing the change in position that led to a brief purple patch in front of goal, Romanski said: “It’s a great group of lads, you don’t win 10 games on the bounce through luck – although luck favours you at some points.

“I started off at centre-back when I moved here, but then I got moved out to left-back – which is my preferred position – and as soon as they moved me there I started scoring a few goals.

“My favourite one was against Frome Town on Boxing Day. That’s a bit of a local derby, and I scored the goal which topped the game off in a 4-1 win.”