Men’s First Team season preview: Operation Win Something

Over the last two seasons Royal Wootton Bassett Town have enjoyed a level of success that is unprecedented in the 17 years that the club's Men's First Team have now spent in the Hellenic League Premier Division. In 2022-23, Bassett achieved a first ever top half finish as they wound up an impressive 5th place. Then last season, Sam Collier's side went one better, finishing fourth. That was enough to qualify for the newly introduced promotion playoffs, and - after defeating local rivals Highworth Town in the semi finals - Bassett wound up 90 minutes away from a first ever taste of Southern League football. The 4-0 playoff final defeat to Cinderford Town in front of a mammoth home Sustain Stadium crowd was a chastening experience. But it has not dimmed Bassett's thirst for success. If anything, it has served to make Collier and his team even more hungry for glory as the 2024-25 campaign awaits. Since taking the managerial reins in January 2018, the Bassett boss has achieved a great deal. Bassett's impressive league finishes in each of the past two seasons built on the record-setting FA Vase runs that the club have enjoyed in the past three years, as well as the record-equalling journey in the FA Cup in 2020-21. Last season also saw Bassett reach the semi final of the Wiltshire Premier Shield - their third visit to the last four of a cup competition during Collier's spell in charge. But what has proven elusive for Bassett and Collier is silverware. This season Bassett will seek to change that and, after frequently being the bridesmaids in recent years, finally get to be the bride. Whether the league, the playoffs or a cup, Bassett's sights must be set on winning something in 2024-25. It's certainly a lofty ambition, and one that won't come easy. Nevertheless it's something that the highly talented squad Collier has built - and added to this summer - deserve to achieve. Bassett will enter the new Hellenic Premier Division campaign as one of many teams who will fancy their chances. With Worcester City - one of the most dominant sides to have featured in the division for a long time - now gone and with question marks over the status of last year's runners-up Corsham Town following their recent change in manager, there's a sense that the division could be a wide open, unpredictable affair this season. Near neighbours Highworth will no doubt be vying to be in the mix as will the likes of Slimbridge, Fairford Town and Roman Glass St George, who all narrowly missed out on the playoffs in 2023-24. Pershore Town enjoyed a strong start to life at step five last season before fading away; they'll be hoping for consistent strong displays the entire way this time. The likes of Westfields, Worcester Raiders and Mangotsfield United will also be aiming to fight towards the top after underachieving somewhat last year. Meanwhile, although coming from opposite directions, newcomers Cirencester Town and Hartpury University will surely have their eyes on challenging towards the top end of the table. Although not mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the division's remaining sides will all be looking to make their mark as well. After all, the Hellenic Premier has been highly competitive each of the past couple of years. And, while finishing towards the top the past two year, Bassett have rarely faced an easy game. That's likely to be the case again, though Bassett will be hoping that with the firepower added to the squad, any league success will be built on firmer foundations than last season when 14 of their 23 league wins came just by a single goal. Prolific goalscorer Ollie Pitt and target George Peare have been added as they both join from Brimscombe and Thrupp. Pacey winger Tyrone Tucker-Dixon and young star Finn Hopkins (signed from Shrivenham) have also been recruited to add pace and youth at the sharp end of the pitch. Bassett's back line - a big strength last season - has been bolstered as well. There is competition for the goalkeeper position with,James Foster and Sam Jepson both signed. Full back Dan Hill and the experienced Jonny Aitkenhead recruited. And they'll be tasked with helping fill the gaps created by the departure of Dave Bampton and the reduced availability of Jowan Partridge who begins his university studies. Youngster Finlay Skittrall - one of the stars of last season's Under 18 Floodlit side - will get opportunities to impress too. Overall though, the squad remains much the same as last year. And that's no bad thing given the quality that remains in all areas of the pitch. Preseason has been a generally positive one too. Bassett began with a notable 2-1 win away against Southern League North Leigh thanks to goals from Bailey Gallagher and Alfie Presley. Louis Spalding scored the only goal of the game as Bassett edged out Wantage Town 1-0 at home. There then followed a 1-0 victory against Reading City courtesy of Tyrone Tucker-Dixon'a second half strike. Bassett recorded a convincing 3-1 triumph away at Kintbury Rangers in their penultimate friendly as Presley (2) and Finn Hopkins netted. Bassett did finally fall to defeat in their final friendly - but they battled impressively in a 2-0 loss against National League Forest Green Rovers in front of a bumper Sustain Stadium crowd. Although results and performances have been encouraging, those games mean little in the grand scheme of things though. Now the real action starts - and for Bassett that means the start of a season in which they will be aiming even higher than last time around.