Page 23 - Cribbs FC v Bashley 090124

Introducing Bashley F.C. Cont….

describe a former Football League player who started as a youngster at Walsall in 2002 and arrived at
Bashley from his most recent club, Brockenhurst. Along the way he has played for more than 20 clubs,
including the likes of Bristol Rovers, Lincoln City, Morecambe, Kettering Town, Hereford United and even
a loan spell at Raith Rovers in Scotland. More locally he had successful spells at Eastleigh and Aldershot.
SAM STEEL - Promising young defender who joined Bashley from Winchester City at the end of
November 2023, having had a successful loan spell with Bashley’s New Forest neighbours,
Brockenhurst. Arrived at Winchester from his original club, Wessex League Blackfield & Langley.
TONY ROLLS - A versatile defender and former Bashley favourite who rejoined the club in October
2023 after four successful years at Hamworthy. The Dorset club’s unfortunate demise made Tony
available, and Bashley were pleased to welcome him back.
MIDFIELDERS
BRAD MORRIS - Combative and classy midfielder, and club captain, who many thought could play at
a higher level, but has remained loyal to his original club, Bashley. Youngest in the “Morris line”. His
father Paul was team manager until November 2022, and grandfather Tony was a stalwart at neighbours
New Milton before switching allegiance to Bashley. Brad missed the early part of the season through
suspension and injury but now back to his best.
LUKE DELANEY - A solidly-experienced box-to-box midfielder who spent 10 years at Walsall FC going
through the age groups. He left at 18 and signed for Nuneaton Borough in the Conference North, and
has since played for Rugby, AFC Hinckley and Lichfield before moving south to join Poole Town. Also had
brief spells with Shaftsbury and Hungerford Town before joining Bashley in May 2023.
LEWIS ROSS - Experienced attacking midfielder and dead-ball expert who topped the Bashley scoring
charts in 2021/22, helping lift them to promotion from the Wessex Premier. Was out on joint registration
at AFC Stoneham, for a time last season and is now on a similar arrangement with neighbouring
Brockenhurst, although Bashley are currently making use of their first call on his services.
SEAN WRIGHT - An experienced midfielder who was another victim of Hamworthy’s unfortunate and
sudden departure from Southern League football. He played for the Hammers on loan from Poole Town
in the 2022/23 season before joining them at the start of this season. A former Bashley player, he came
back to the GlenMex Stadium in October 2023, bringing versatility and an eye for goal which will be
valuable for the club.
EDDIE HODGE - A goalscoring wide midfielder who began a distinguished playing career by captaining
Hamworthy United in an FA Cup qualifying round tie as a 16-year-old. Even at that age, while studying
Sport Education and Science at St Mary’s Twickenham, he held a regular place with the Hammers and
went on to spend seven seasons there. Also had brief spells with Poole Town and Wimborne - joined
Bashley in December 2023.
FORWARDS
HARRY McGRATH - Striker who followed in his father Pete’s footsteps as a player with Bashley before
moving away to Lymington Town and then Dorchester before returning to Bashley in 2021/22 and was
a virtual ever-present last season. Progress has been hampered by injury this season but now back in
the squad after missing the first part of this season.
BRETT WILLIAMS - Vastly experienced centre- forward who played EFL football for Rotherham,
Northampton and Aldershot, in addition to several teams in the upper echelons of non-league. Played
in a National League Play-Off Final for Forest Green Rovers in 2016 and won promotion to the National
League with Weymouth in 2019/20.
CONOR WHITELEY - Another who returned to the club in Summer 2023, having previously signed for
Bashley when he was 18. He went on to score 35 goals in 86 Wessex League games before joining
Sholing. Before that Conor was an Academy player with both Southampton and AFC Bournemouth, and
after being released by The Cherries aged 15, he joined the Eastleigh Development Scheme on a
scholarship. Now 24, he is back at the GlenMex on a season-loan from Totton.
MAX WILCOCK - First signing made by new manager Ollie Cherrett who had previously managed Max
at Christchurch. He was latterly with Hamworthy, where he made 39 first team appearances in the
2022/23 season, scoring 11 goals. Made a scoring home debut for Bashley with a well-taken goal
against Willand Rovers in September 2023.
MALACHI DOTSE - Exciting young forward, just 19, on loan from Eastleigh. Southampton-born, he
has come through the “Youth Pathway” system at Eastleigh, scoring freely in their Under-18 team before
going on loan to Andover New Street in the Wessex League, and arriving at Bashley in November 2023.
JAMIE ARNOLD - A 17-year-old striker signed on loan from League Two Colchester United and
reckoned to have a bright future in the game. He has scored regularly this season in the U’s Under-18
and Under-21 teams, and also starred in their recent run in the FA Youth Cup. Has a simple philosophy,
saying: “I just love scoring goals!”
JAMIE JOHNSTON - Bashley’s most recent signing, who made his debut against Melksham Town on
6th January 2024. He is a speedy young winger who was a youth player at both Bournemouth and
Eastleigh before heading off to America for a year to play “Soccer” and study. He returned to play for
Tadley Calleva in the Combined Counties League before moving on to Wimborne and now Bashley.