Rob Brown

Goalkeeper

Brown is an experienced goalkeeper who joined Bassett in October 2023 from reigning Hellenic League Premier Division champions Cribbs. An all-round ‘keeper, Brown is a great shotstopper who possesses superb reflexes, is commanding in the air and also has excellent distribution. After starring for Corsham Town as they finished fifth in the Hellenic League Premier Division and reached the Wiltshire Premier Shield final in 2021-22, Brown moved to Cribbs early last season and played a key role as they finished as champions while conceding just 15 times all season. Brown has prior title winning experience, lifting the Western League Premier Division crown with Melksham Town in 2017-18. With Forest Green Rovers as a youth, Brown also has gained Southern League experience with Paulton Rovers and Frome Town.

Harry Pickering

Goalkeeper

Pickering is a highly-rated young goalkeeper who joins Bassett this season from Melksham Town. A player who has represented Wiltshire at Under 18 level, his performances helped Melksham Under 18s finish as unbeaten winners of the Wiltshire League Floodlit Division in 2018-19. That year he also made his debut for Melksham Reserves in the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division before serving as their first choice ‘keeper in each of the last three seasons, as well as being backup for their first team in the Southern League.

David Bampton

Defender

Aggressive and tough in the tackle, yet elegant and composed when in possession, Bampton is a highly experienced player who has played at the highest level of non-league football. Capable of playing either in the centre of defender or midfield, he is entering his fourth season with Bassett, having played 85 times, scoring four goals since joining in 2020-21. Bampton started his career with Swindon Town, captaining their youth team before going on to make four appearances for the Reds in 2002-03. After his release in the summer of 2004, he joined Conference National side Tamworth in 2005 and during a four-year spell at the club received a call-up for the England national C team. After spending 2008-09 with Worcester City he moved to Swindon Supermarine in the summer of 2009 and was part of the Marine squad that reached the FA Cup second round. Bampton was forced to stop playing due to a back injury during the 2014-15 campaign. But he returned to action in 2017-18, splitting his time between Shrivenham and Supermarine over the course of the subsequent three seasons before moving to Bassett.

Scott Chilcott

Defender

Chilcott is a dependable full back who is entering his third season with Bassett after joining from Shrivenham. He is a consistent performer who is tough in the tackle and willing to get forward to help out in attack. Primarily a right back, Chilcott can also perform effectively at centre half, as well as centre forward when required. A player with plenty of Hellenic League experience, Chilcott initially began his career as a forward, featuring for Highworth Town's Reserve side before first establishing himself as a first team regular with Malmesbury Victoria in 2013-14. He spent the following three seasons with Fairford Town, featuring 30 times in their 2016-17 Division One West title winning campaign. After a year with Pewsey Vale in 2017-18, he moved to Shrivenham where he played the next three years before joining Bassett. In his first season in blue and yellow, Chilcott played in 26 games. He then added 31 appearances last season, scoring three goals in a four game spell when plugged into a forward role.

Sponsor: Mike Price

Adam Corcoran

Defender

Bassett's current longest serving player and captain, Corcoran is entering his twelfth season with the club, having reached the 300 appearance mark last season. Corcoran is an imposing central defender - with the ability to also play at full back when needed - who is composed on the ball and dominant in the air. A Cirencester Town Academy graduate, he initially joined Bassett in 2011-12 after brief spells with Fairford Town and Calne Town. Corcoran quickly established himself as a key part of Bassett's defence, and in 2012-13 helped the team to promotion from Division One West. After a brief spell with Shrivenham, he re-joined Bassett in the summer of 2015 and has been with the club since. He is a player whose performances have seemed to get better and better over time too. The 2021-22 campaign was without doubt his best in Bassett colours, with the defender going on to earn both Manager's and Players' Player of the Year awards. A quality striker of the ball and danger at set pieces, he has also contributed 15 goals in his 316 Bassett appearances.

Sponsor: Mark Smedley

Sonny James

Defender

James is a highly talented young defender who will be pushing for a regular Men’s First Team berth in the new season. Capable of playing at both centre half and full back, he is a composed defender who can also distribute the ball well. James was a key member of the Under 18 team that finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up in each of the last two seasons. And in 2022-23 he made his Men’s First Team debut as a substitute in a home win against Tuffley Rovers before appearing three further times from the bench. James also spent part of last season playing in the USA for the Allen Community College Red Devils at National Junior College Athletic Association level.

Jowan Partridge

Defender

A recent graduate of Bassett's Under 18 Floodlit team, Partridge is an extremely talented young defender who has the potential to go far in the game. Comfortable at either centre half or half back - while also possessing the quality to play in central midfielder, he possesses a maturity beyond his 18 years of age. Partridge is calm and assured when in possession, an excellent distributor of the ball and his anticipation and ability to read the game make him an ultra-composed defender. Partridge joined Bassett's Under 18 side in 2021-22 and quickly stood as a star player in a team that went on to finish as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up. His performances earned the attention of Men's First Team manager Sam Collier, with Partridge making his debut as a substitute in an FA Vase win against Downton before appearing twice more. Last season saw Partridge earn his first start in an away win at Mangotsfield United and in all he featured 29 times, with just two appearances coming from the bench. In a season in which he would go on to be named Bassett's Young Player of the Year, the defender also narrowly missed out on selection for English Schools FA Under 18 Schoolboys' squad, reaching the final trial.

Louis Spalding

Defender

Spalding is a highly talented young full back who is entering his second season with Bassett. Skilful, quick, an outstanding defender and a player who always looks to get forward, he was named Manager’s and Players’ Player of the Year following a standout debut season. Spalding played 47 times, scoring a hugely impressive ten goals. Among his goals was a long range stunner in the FA Cup against Reading City, a last minute winner at home against Tuffley Rovers and a brace away at the same opponents. With Swindon Town as a youth, Spalding joined Cirencester Town on loan in 2017-18. That year he made eleven appearances, before signing with the Centurions ahead of the following season after his release from Swindon. With Cirencester in 2018-19, Spalding featured 38 times as his side finished as runners-up in Southern League Division One South. He then joined Swindon Supermarine, appearing in 38 games in the curtailed 2019-20 Southern League Premier Division South campaign, ten matches a season later and four times in 2021-22.

Sponsor: John and Kath Fellows

Harry Walters

Defender

Quick, keen to get forward, impressive on the ball and a solid man-marker, Walters is a promising young full back who made an impressive impact after making his Men's First Team debut last season. Walters made his first appearance in senior football with Stratton Juniors in 2020-21, featuring 12 times for them in the Wiltshire League Premier Division. He started the subsequent campaign with Stratton before transferring to Bassett, with Walters playing 14 times as the Development team were crowned Wiltshire League champions. Walters continued to impress with the Development side at the start of last season, and it wasn't long before Sam Collier drafted him into the Men's First Team squad. He made his debut in a Floodlit Cup win against Cribbs and went on to make 19 appearances, including 16 starts.

Sponsor: Bath and Power Carpentry Ltd

Spencer Bowen

Midfielder

Bowen is a talented young player who is aiming to break through and establish a regular place in the Men's First Team this season. Capable of playing out wide, either in midfield or defence, he possesses great skill and is a strong passer of the ball. Bowen starred for Bassett’s Under 18 side as they finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up last season. Earning both Manager’s and Players’ Player of the Year awards, he made 20 appearances, scoring one goal. He also featured twice for the Development team before making his Men's First Team debut as a substitute in a 3-0 home win against Hereford Pegasus. Bowen went on to make another five appearances from the bench.

Sponsor: Local Lease Ltd

Bailey Gallagher

Midfielder

Gallagher is a graduate of Bassett’s youth section, who made the step up to first team football two seasons ago after having consistently performed strongly for the club’s Development team. A highly skilful attacking midfielder who can play on either wing, he boasts a great turn of pace and is not afraid to take players on. With his trickery and pace, Gallagher is exceptionally difficult to defend against and he also has the knack for producing spectacular goals. Gallagher made his Development team debut in 2018-19, while still featuring in Bassett's youth section, scoring four times in thirteen games. 22 appearances yielded seven goals in 2019-20 before he produced a return of six goals in nine Wiltshire League Premier Division matches in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign. Gallagher then impressed in his first full season playing at Hellenic League Premier Division level. Bassett's leading outfield appearance maker in 2021-22, he featured 44 times, scoring nine goals. Last season he added another seven goals in 47 matches.

Sponsor: Ethan Price

Jack Hobson-McVeigh

Midfielder

An experienced, cultured central midfielder, Hobson-McVeigh is entering his second season with Bassett having joined last summer from Malmesbury Victoria. Cool in possession with excellent distribution skills, the midfielder is also a threat from set pieces and has the knack for producing spectacular goals - as evidenced by his thunderous first-time strike against Southam United that earned him Bassett’s 2022-23 Goal of the Season award. Hobson-McVeigh is a New Zealand national and represented his country in the 2009 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Nigeria in which he scored a spectacular goal against Turkey, helping the Kiwis reach the last sixteen. He has played at the highest level in his home country too, having appeared for Birkenhead United, Waitakere United, West Auckland Town, Team Wellington and WaiBop United. He moved to Germany in 2016 and played as high as the fifth tier Oberliga Niedderrhein with Dusseldorf West and SC Union Nettetal. He then moved to England, joining Malmesbury in 2020-21 after a brief spell with Cirencester Town. He scored 7 goals in twelve games that year - including a goal against Bassett from beyond the halfway line - before registering the same number of goals in 36 appearances in 2021-22. In his first season with Bassett, Hobson-McVeigh scored five times in 36 games.

Sponsor: Steve Green

Tom Moore

Midfielder

Moore is a gifted, young attacking midfielder who re-joins Bassett this season, having spent the past year and a half at university in Manchester. A player with a superb attitude and willingness to improve his game, he possesses great pace, a willingness to take players on and is an excellent crosser of the ball. Moore was with Swindon Town as a youth and was offered a scholarship in 2019 before his release. Moore then joined Bassett for the 2021-22 season and made a strong impression, scoring three goals in eleven appearances.

Tommy Ouldridge

Midfielder

Ouldridge is a mercurial attacking midfielder who is entering his third full season with the club. Capable of playing on either wing or through the middle, he is an extremely talented player who possesses great skill, the ability to pick out any pass, an excellent delivery and an eye for goal. Ouldridge came through Swindon Town’s youth system and was in and around the Robins’ first team, though never made an appearance. He was released by Swindon after loan spells at Chippenham Town and Cirencester Town during the 2017-18 season. He started the 2018-19 campaign with Hungerford Town before moving back to the Centurions where he spent the majority of the next two seasons. After also briefly featuring for Shrivenham in 2019-20, Ouldridge played six times for Bassett in 2020-21, scoring three goals. A season later, he featured 41 times, scoring seven goals. Injuries frustrated him last season, but Ouldridge still made 30 appearances, contributing five goals.

Sponsor: AFC Mannington

Sam Packer

Midfielder

A cultured midfielder with the ability to change the outcome of a game, Packer re-joins Bassett this season having moved back to the UK after a period living abroad. A tenacious player with clever movement, an eye for a pass and a willingness to take opponents on, he is capable of turning the game from defence to attack very quickly through the midfield. Packer initially joined Bassett in January 2011 from Highworth Town, where he had been a key feature of their successful reserve team. After a strong start to the 2011/12 season in which he scored three goals in eight appearances, Packer left for then-Southern League Abingdon United. There he played a vital role in helping them survive a relegation battle. In the summer of 2012 he moved to Cirencester Town. With the Centurions he featured 21 times, scoring four goals. Packer returned to Bassett the following season, making 13 appearances and scoring once, before moving to Shrivenham for the 2014/15 campaign. Packer was back with Bassett a season later, scoring four goals in 40 appearances before adding six in 32 games in 2016/17. In 2017/18 - his last full season with Bassett - he registered his best haul of goals yet, scoring ten times in 22 matches. Overall, Packer has played 159 times for Bassett, scoring 31 times.

Zak Robinson

Midfielder

Kai Robinson

Midfielder

An unsung hero of the team, Robinson is an energetic, tough-tackling central midfielder who is entering his seventh year with Bassett. He initially joined the club at the start of the 2017-18 season and was one of Bassett’s leading appearance makers that year, playing 36 times and scoring once. His appearances were more limited over the subsequent four seasons. However over the past year and a half Robinson has played a key role in the heart of midfield. And his performances over 43 games in 2022-23 earning him joint Manager’s Player of the Year honours. In total he has played 132 times for Bassett, scoring twice - the second of those goals coming last season at home against Hereford Pegasus. Robinson initially joined Bassett from Wantage Town, with whom he gained Southern League experience during the Alfredians’ difficult 2016-17 campaign. Prior to joining Wantage, the midfielder played for New College Academy, while also representing Wiltshire Under 18s.

Sponsor: Aaron Oakley Football Coaching

George Staten

Midfielder

Returning to the club this year after being away at university, Staten is a talented player who is a product of Bassett's youth section. Possessing great pace and a great left foot, he is capable of playing either in midfield or at full back. Staten made his debut in senior football with Bassett in 2017-18. Spending the majority the season playing for the Development team, he scored three goals, while winning the Manager's Player of the Year award. His impressive displays were enough to earn a call-up to the first team towards the end of the campaign. In all he made five appearances, winning man of the match on his debut against Abingdon United. A year later he scored six goals in 17 Development team appearances and was again named as Manager's Player of the Year. Staten briefly appeared for the Development side in 2022-23 too, playing three times.

Sponsor: Hello Loveli Photography

Chris Taylor

Midfielder

Taylor is a vastly experienced central midfielder who is entering his fourth season with Bassett. A classy operator, who is supremely confident on the ball, possesses excellent distribution and superb fitness, he has featured 81 times, scoring twice, since making his Bassett debut in 2020-21. Taylor joined Bassett after four years at Highworth Town, during which he helped the Worthians achieve promotion to the Southern League. However, it is with Swindon Supermarine that Taylor has spent most of his career. An England Under 15 international in his youth, he featured four times for Swindon Town in 2002-03 before being released by the Reds in 2006. Taylor then joined Supermarine and made 355 appearances over the course of nine seasons. In that time he achieved promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in 2006-07 and was part of the side that reached the FA Cup second round in 2010-11. Taylor has also played for Newport County, Maidenhead United, Cirencester Town, Hungerford Town and Australian side Dandenong Thunder.

Gio Wrona

Midfielder

Wrona is a classy midfielder entering his seventh season with Bassett. Boasting a great passing range and coolness on the ball, he is capable of dictating a game from his central midfield position. Over the past six years he has been Bassett’s leading appearance maker and in total he has played 205 times, scoring 24 goals. Fifty appearances and four goals earned him the Manager’s Player and Supporters’ Player of the Year prizes in 2017-18, while three goals in 42 matches saw him crowned Manager’s Player of the Year again in 2018-19. Wrona went on to play 26 times in 2019-20, scoring six times – including an FA Vase hat-trick against New College (the club with whom he began his senior career) – and appeared 21 times, scoring four in 2020-21. Wrona featured in 42 games in 2021-22 and matched his highest goals tally as he netted six times. His playing time was more limited last year, though Wrona still appeared in 25 matches, scoring once. Prior to joining Bassett, Wrona played for a number of clubs, gaining Southern League experience with the likes of Swindon Supermarine, Larkhall Athletic and Wantage Town.

Alfie Presley

Forward

Presley is a hugely talented attacking midfielder who re-joins Bassett after very brief spells with Corsham Town and Abingdon United at the start of this season. Boasting skill, speed and strength, the willingness to take defenders on and expert delivery, his performances have seen him earn Player of the Year awards for Bassett in two different seasons. In 2019-20 Presley was crowned both Manager’s Player and Players’ Player of the Year, while in 2022-23 he earned Supporters’ Player of the Year. Presley is a player who has the ability to play effectively across the entire front line - be that out wide or as a number nine or ten. He also has an eye for goal, netting 24 times in 80 appearances for Bassett, including 15 last season. Presley first played for Bassett in 2016-17, making a single appearance in a season in which he also briefly featured for Marlborough Town in the Wiltshire League. In 2017-18 he struck twelve times in twenty games for Bremhill, while also being named Chippenham Town’s Academy Player of the Year. Stepping up to Western League football in 2018-19, he played nineteen times for Chippenham Park, scoring once. After his highly successful 2019-20 campaign with Bassett in which he scored four goals in 25 games, he played five teams, scoring once a year later. He began 2021-22 with Malmesbury Victoria, netting five goals in 14 games, before finishing the year with Bassett by adding four goals in eleven appearances. In blue and yellow last season he enjoyed his best year in front of goal to date.

Connor Waldon

Forward

Waldon is a well-travelled forward with professional experience who joins Bassett this season. A player who came through the ranks at Swindon Town, Waldon made eight appearances for the Robins - including three starts - between 2013 and 2015. He also had numerous loan spells during his time at Swindon, including in the National League with Tamworth, Gloucester City and Brackley Town. Following his release, Waldon joined Swindon Supermarine (where he had also been on loan), and over the course of three spells with Marine he scored 34 goals in 73 matches. Waldon has also had spells with Mangotsfield United and North Leigh in the Southern League while he has featured for Highworth Town, Shrivenham and Chipping Sodbury Town in the Hellenic League.

Sponsor: Phil Hall

Flynn Walters

Forward

Walters is a promising young forward who made his Men's First Team debut last season. Skillful, with good pace and an assured finisher, he was a part of the Under 18 Floodlit team who finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up in each of the last two seasons. He registered twice in 13 games for the Under 18s in 2021-22 before playing a more significant role in 2022-23 as he scored eight times in 21 games. Walters' performances saw him earn a place in the club's senior Men's sides last season too. Walters featured five times for the Development team and made his Men's First Team debut as a substitute against Chipping Sodbury Town, scoring the final goal to cap a 4-1 victory.

Sponsor: Matt Paul

Sam Collier

Manager

Collier has served as Bassett manager since taking the role, initially on an interim basis while still also a player, in January 2018. In 2018-19, his first full season in charge, Collier guided the team to 10th in the Hellenic League Premier Division - at that point, the club's highest ever finish. Bassett then exceeded that record with a 5th place finish in 2022-23. Bassett have also set records in national cup competitions under his stewardship, with Collier's sides equalling the club's best FA Cup run in 2020-21 and going further than ever before in the FA Vase, reaching the third round in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. This is Collier's second job in management after he served as Shrivenham player-manager from February 2014 to 2015. As a player, Collier has made 159 appearances for Bassett. Mainly featuring as a striker, he has scored 71 goals, finishing as top scorer in 2009-10, when Bassett earned promotion from Hellenic League Division One West, and 2010-11. Collier has played in almost every other position for Bassett too though - including as goalkeeper, making a last minute penalty save in 2022-23 to preserve a point against eventual champions Cribbs. During his playing career, he also featured for Purton, Abingdon United, Cirencester Town, Wantage Town and Thatcham Town among others.

Sponsor: Phil Hall

Alan Griffin

Assistant

A high quality target man who enjoyed a distinguished playing career in non-league football, Griffin is now entering his second season as Bassett’s assistant manager. Griffin initially joined Bassett for the 2021-22 season as a player, scoring 16 times in 32 appearances before joining Sam Collier’s coaching staff. While taking on his current role, Griffin has continued to play, featuring 38 times last season (with 34 appearances coming from the bench) and adding five goals. As a player, Griffin is an assured finisher, strong in the air and capable of effectively holding up the ball. He made a prolific start to his playing career with Corsham Town in the Western League, and soon moved onto Southern League football, plying his trade with Cirencester Town, Chippenham Town, Gloucester City, Mangotsfield United, Swindon Supermarine and Bristol Manor Farm. He spent most of his career with Chippenham Town and was part of their 2016-17 promotion winning squad that saw the Bluebirds earn National League South status. Then in 2018-19 he hit 26 goals for Cirencester as they finished runners-up in Southern League Division One South. He joined Bassett after splitting the 2019-20 season between Melksham Town and Malmebsury Victoria. Griffin also has prior managerial experience having spent time in charge of Malmesbury.

Sponsor: John and Kath Fellows

Lee Beavis

Coach

Beavis is a new addition to joins Bassett’s Men’s First Team management team for this season. A strong defender in his playing days, Beavis featured for Bassett during the first half of the 2006-07 season under then-manager Paul Burke. He also played for Devizes Town, Calne Town, Melskham Town and Malmesbury Victoria among others.