ADIE Mings will step down as Chippenham manager at the end of the season, becoming director of football at Hardenhuish Park to oversee the club’s ambitious new structure.

Veteran defender Nathan Rudge will take charge of the Bluebirds’ Southern Premier campaign after the club announced a major revamp to its playing resources.

Chippenham are set to launch a new side next season that will compete at least at Wiltshire League level and will bridge the gap between Town’s Under 18 side and the first team.

The management team for the new as yet unnamed set-up is yet to be decided but 32-year-old Rudge will take charge of first-team affairs.

Mings, 43, first took over as Chippenham chief in 2007 and says that his new role will be a vital part of the club’s evolution.

“It’s not really something that I thought I’d end up doing but it was something that was first suggested around a year ago,” he said. “Back then it wasn’t the right time but now it’s all part of the change that the club is going through.

“I’ll be overseeing the first team, the new team and the Under 18s. I’ll be in charge of recruitment and development and working with Nath to help him adjust to becoming a manager.

“We’ve always wanted continuity at the club and hopefully he’ll blossom. My remit was always to try and bring through talented local players, which I think I’ve done in the past, and we’ll both be trying to carry that ethos into the future.”

Chairman John Applegate says Mings will be perfectly suited to his new role and added: “Adie’s got a wealth of experience and knowledge of players up to Conference level so it would have been a huge loss if he’d decided to leave.

“He will have to mediate between three managers and the board of directors. He’s going to be responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly.”

Chippenham are set to play a major role in the relegation battle this weekend as they host lowly Arlesey, while already-doomed Cirencester welcome Banbury.