The postponement of Monday’s trip to Windsor and Eton means the Whites will have gone nearly three weeks without a fixture by the time they face Chippenham Town on January 3rd.

It’s the same story for many clubs around the country in the face of snow and frost-covered pitches in what is a frustrating time for everyone involved in the game. Next Monday’s opponents, Chippenham, have seen their last six fixtures postponed, and with their match tomorrow called off, the Bluebirds haven’t featured at all in December.

Speaking exclusively to the Club’s website, Manager Darrell Clarke seemed eager to get back to football matters following the seasonal break. “It’s frustrating because we just want to be playing our football and keeping our good momentum going in the league and the postponement of fixtures prevents that. We adapt to it though and focus on the things we can control. The boys will be back and training hard this week. Our last match was Halesowen so we’re all eager to get back out there and can’t wait for next Monday.”

While many can be found putting their feet up over the holidays, the Salisbury manager it seems has remained hard at work. After a frustrating week without football, the Club was hit with the bittersweet news of Chris Giles’ signing a new deal, at the cost of losing the defender for the rest of the season. “It’s obviously a big disappointment to lose Chris for the rest of the season but great that he’s committed to us in the long run. I will be bringing in one or two new players and have spoken to a few, so things are at work. That said, we want to make the right moves and so we won’t rush to bring in just anyone. Chris was a big player and an experienced one, so we have to make sure we get it right.”

Darrell has made known his intention to extend Kyle Haynes’ loan deal. The Whites boss also suggested that he is not just on the hunt for a centre-half but has targets in other positions.

While all eyes are on a club’s new arrivals at this time of year, the manager has also reaffirmed the faith he has in his current squad. “We have a good set of players here and I’m of course looking for them to step up and impress. It’s always difficult when someone leaves but it also creates opportunities. All those lads want to be pulling on the shirt week in week out and they have that chance now.”

The Whites will be raring to go on Monday 3rd January when they host local team Chippenham in a tantalising Zamaretto clash between two of the leagues top four.