Page 21 - Cribbs FC v Bashley 090124

The History of Bashley F.C. Cont…

Bashley promoted from within with former player and assistant manager Paul Morris taking over in the
manager’s hot seat for the 2017-18 season. The highlight of that season came from the Reserves who
won the Wyvern Combination League Cup; with the first team once again finishing in 14th place. After
that, Bashley settled into the Wessex Premier with their football and facilities attracting the highest
gates in the league.
In 2020 Banbury Builders became ground sponsors and refurbished the stand, dressing rooms and
boardroom complex as well as renovating the clubhouse. A new observation platform and sponsors
room has been added. The ground was re-named the GlenMex Stadium. In March 2021, Paul Lucas MD
of Banbury Builders, was appointed Chairman, with the stated ambition to “take the club as far as it can
possibly go.”
The first step along that road came with a second-placed finish in the Wessex Premier in 2021/22 and
promotion back to the Southern League on the back of an amazing unbeaten run of 19 games from
mid-January to the end of the season, which ended with a memorable 4-0 win away to neighbours
Christchurch.
In 2022/23, there was substantial team re-structuring along the way - as well as a change of manager
in November, when player-coach Matt Tubbs took over as first team manager, replacing long-serving
club stalwart Paul Morris.
Matt, with his wealth of Football League and coaching experience, was tasked with taking the club
another step forward in status - and against the odds, they were in with a very real chance of the
play-offs right up to half-time on the final day of the season.
At 3.45pm Bashley were in one of the play-off places. They led 1-0 in their final game at Paulton Rovers,
while Evesham, their main rivals, were 2-0 down and reduced to ten men against AFC Totton.
Then, for The Bash, it all went pear-shaped! Paulton equalised, and then went on to a 2-1 win, while
Evesham’s 10 staged a stunning fight-back to beat Totton. To add a little salt to the wound, Tavistock
came out of the pack to nudge Bashley down to seventh in the final placings.
The hope was that Bashley could keep their nucleus of 14 first team players. In these days when so
many players move around, it was no surprise that some departed. Two of last season’s top performers,
super-consistent left back Sam Jackson, and 16-goal leading scorer Jack Lovell, both departed for
equally-ambitious neighbours Wimborne, while Cameron Beard returned to Shaftsbury after half-a-
season back at Bashley, where he had started his career.
Promising young striker Joe Smith decided he would have better opportunities elsewhere, and joined
Downton. However, the club moved swiftly for replacements - and also added some other talent,
particularly players with experience not only at the current level, but also above.
Left-back Ben Jefford was seen as a straight replacement for Jackson, while his AFC Totton team-mate,
striker Brett Williams also moved to the GlenMex as Lovell’s replacement. A third Totton player, Conor
Whiteley was also brought in on loan. He also began his career at Bashley.
Also signed was a top midfielder, the vastly-experienced Luke Delaney, who came in after a spell with
Hungerford Town.
Bashley started the season well, beating Yate Town 2-0 in a tight encounter on the opening day,
following up with a 0-0 midweek draw at Melksham, and a dramatic last-kick winner in a 3-2 FA Cup win
away to Fareham. A 2-2 draw at Mousehole followed, but that took its toll in intensity and 400-miles of
Bank Holiday travel and less than 48 hours later a depleted Bashley team lost 2-1 at home to local rivals
Wimborne - in the 98th minute.
Still short of five first-choice players, the Bash returned to Mousehole in the FA Cup and lost 5-3, but
subsequently earned a dramatic penalty shootout win at Evesham in the Isuzu FA Trophy.
The seismic, and unexpected, news after that game was that Bashley manager Matt Tubbs had accepted
the opportunity to manage Poole Town. He went, however, with the club’s good wishes for the future.
Bashley’s head coach Leon Scott and goalkeeper coach Mark Phillips also moved on with Tubbs, as did
club vice-captain and key midfielder Billy Lowes.
The new management team is largely from Wessex League neighbours Christchurch. Manager is now
Ollie Cherrett, his assistant Chris Hart, head coach Will Robinson, player-coach Craig Stanley and
goalkeeper coach Max Frampton.
Cherrett has been busy re-shaping the squad. He has added Max Wilcock from Hamworthy, Callum
Baughan from Winchester and has acquired promising young striker Malachi Dotse on loan from
Eastleigh. The sad and sudden demise of Hamworthy United led to two more signings - both former
Bashley players, midfielder Sean Wright and defender Tony Rolls.
The manager is also giving a chance to young defender Sam Steel, signed from Winchester City, and
17-year-old striker Jamie Arnold on loan from Colchester, along with winger Eddie Hodge from
Hamworthy. Meanwhile Freddie Bullard, Marcelo Rossi, Rian Drake, Jonny Davis, Toby Bailey and
Bashley stalwarts Adam Grange and Harry Bunce have all moved to neighbours Brockenhurst.
Cherrett and Co suffered an indifferent start to their reign when a Bashley side missing seven first-choice
players, lost 1-0 to Wessex League Portchester in the Hampshire Senior Cup - the match turned into
something of a lottery by gale force winds and driving rain.