NEW Slimbridge chairman Keith Sparrow is hoping to bring Southern League football to the area.

The Swans were set to play in Division One South and West two years ago before they pulled out over fears they could not operate at that level but Sparrow believes they could be better prepared if they get that opportunity again.

Since reforming through the reserves, Slimbridge have achieved back-to-back promotions to reach the Hellenic Division One West, two divisions below the Southern League.

With everything in place to play at a higher level, Sparrow knows the club has the potential but he is keen to build better links with the local community and increase the level of support so that ambition can become reality.

“We want to improve the profile of the club within the vicinity,” he said.

“I’m hoping to build the club and if we get to the stage where we reach Southern League status again, hopefully more people want to get involved this time around.”

“When the club pulled out of the Southern League there were lots of reasons. Finances were involved obviously, but I don’t think everyone realises what a huge commitment it would be.

“There’s an extra commitment involved when it comes to moving up the leagues and at the time there wasn’t that commitment.

“As the team progresses up through the divisions it would be nice to think people look to see we’re serious about our intentions to go forward.

“This area is crying out for a team to get to a higher level. We have a fantastic pitch but we don’t have enough people coming to watch the football so we’re crying out for the local community to watch a local team that has been so successful.”

Sparrow, 44, played local football for Cam Bulldogs and Slimbridge, and was the third team manager at Wisloe Road when they won the Stroud Charity Cup and Division Six in 1992.

He moved back to the village last year when he went to watch a few games and was eventually asked to join the committee.

“I started coming to the club and talking to people, and I was asked if I would be interested in getting involved in the committee and I was quite happy to.

“A month or so before the end of the season I was asked to be chairman which came as a complete shock.”

“They are a very good bunch of lads so I’m very much looking forward to getting involved. I’m also looking forward to working with (manager) James Cole.”

Sparrow is currently working as an exam invigilator at Rednock School, where he hopes to build better links to attract talented footballers from the area.

He also wants to make sure the best players from Slimbridge youth football club progress to the first team, rather than joining bigger clubs in the county.

“We want to build a stronger link with the junior football club because historically there’s not much of a link,” said Sparrow.

“There is huge potential in the junior club and we are really keen to push it on.”