Page 22 - Cribbs FC v Bashley 090124

Introducing Bashley F.C.

Since then it has been a roller-coaster ride. Bashley exited the FA Trophy on penalties after a 2-2 draw
away to Cribbs, then turned in a best-of-season display to beat then-league leaders Willand 3-2. It went
pear-shaped again with a poor performance and a 1-0 home loss to Bristol Manor Farm.
The yo-yo form continued with a sparkling 3-2 defeat of in-form Frome, a 1-1 draw at Bishop’s Cleeve,
followed by a stunning 6-0 reverse on Malvern’s artificial surface, ironically after a matchday swop when
Bashley’s pitch was waterlogged. Bashley bounced back with a 3-2 win at Tavistock, but then suffered
successive suffered untimely home losses, to Bideford and Bemerton Heath. The end-of-year misery was
compounded by a 4-0 local derby defeat at Wimborne.
The string of postponements have seen Bashley slip behind everyone else on games played, as much
as four adrift of many.
Away from the actual football, Bashley is still in mourning after the death of long-service club President
Mike Cranidge at the age of 84. Mike was known as “Mr Bashley” after being credited with “saving the
club” at various times in the last eight years, notably during the Covid episode.

BASHLEY CLUB HONOURS
Hampshire League Division 3 Champions: 1984/85
Wessex League Champions: 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89
Southern League Southern Division: 1989/90
Southern League Division 1 South West Champions: 2006/07
Russell-Cotes Benevolent Cup Winners: 1985/86, 1990/91, 1992/93
BASHLEY BEST AND WORST
Best FA Cup performance: Second round, 1994–95
Best FA Trophy performance: Fourth round, 2001–02
Best FA Vase performance: Semi-finals, 1987–88
Record attendance: 3,500 vs Emley, FA Vase semi-final 1988
Biggest win: 21–1 vs Cooperative, Bournemouth League, 1964
Heaviest defeat: 20–2 vs Air Speed, Bournemouth League, 1957
Most appearances: John Bone, 829
Most goals: Richard Gillespie, 134
Record transfer fee paid: £7,500 to Newport (IOW) for Danny Gibbons; £7,500 to Dorchester Town for
David Elm
Record transfer fee received: £15,000 from Salisbury City for Craig Davis; £15,000 from Eastleigh for
Paul Sales; £15,000 from AFC Bournemouth for Wade Elliott.
BASHLEY PLAYER PROFILES
GOALKEEPERS
ROSS CASEY - Popular and very capable goalkeeper - the club’s Player of the Year last season. Good
vocal organiser of the defence in front of him. Started his career with AFC Totton then moved on to
Horndean and joined Bashley mid-way through 2021/22 season from neighbours Lymington Town.
SHEA WOODFORD - Teenage goalkeeper who is now a regular in the Bashley Under-23s, and on the
bench for the first team. Started his career in the junior squads at Eastleigh and has also played in the
age groups with Brockenhurst. Currently dual-registered with neighbours New Milton Town.
DEFENDERS
CALLUM BAUGHAN - Former Southampton Academy player who joined Bashley from Winchester City
in October 2023. Previously with AFC Totton, he made 40 appearances for Winchester in 2022/23.
Primarily a right-back, he can also play in central defence. Rated by Winchester as “a real asset on and
off the pitch and a friendly, popular part of the squad.”
JAMIE WEBBER - Came through the junior ranks at Bashley and also had a spell at nearby Verwood.
Was originally a striker, but moved back to midfield and has since been converted to defence. He now
looks a very accomplished and capable right-back, speedy, and reads the game well.
DAN THOMPSON - Ever-reliable at the heart of the Bashley defence and also an asset at the other
end of the field with his long-throw capability often the equivalent of a corner kick. Beat the odds which
were stacked against him for playing again last season after a long spell out for a foot operation - and
now back in the first team squad. However, suffered a nasty head injury during the Boxing Day game
against Bemerton and may not be available again yet.
BEN JEFFORD - Joined from AFC Totton in summer 2023. Signed for Totton from Basingstoke Town in
2021 after impressing in the Hampshire Invitational Tournament. An experienced and strong left-back,
he played at Wembley in a National League Promotion Play-Off Final for Forest Green Rovers against
Grimsby Town in 2016, alongside his Totton - and now Bashley - team-mate Brett Williams.
CRAIG STANLEY - Bashley’s new Player-Coach, joined in September 2023 as part of Ollie Cherrett’s
incoming management group. The words “vastly-experienced”, and “much-travelled”, probably best