Page 22 - Cribbs FC v Bashley 021223

Introducing Bashley F.C.

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 this week from Winchester
City. Meanwhile Freddie Bullard, Marcelo Rossi, Rian Drake, Jonny Davis, Toby Bailey and Bashley
stalwart Adam Grange 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.
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 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. In their last home match Bashley suffered another untimely loss, 3-1 at home
to Bideford.
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 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.
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
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.