Thursday 16th January 2020

After the first team Team of the Decade was revealed, here is a selection of the best players to represent Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies between 2010 and 2019.

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Over the course of the last decade, Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies have enjoyed immense success, climbing from Division Three of the Gloucestershire County Women's League to the South West Regional Women's Football League Premier Division. Their current status was achieved by lifting the Division One title in the South West Regional League in 2018-19, a season after finishing runners-up. During the last ten years, Bassett have also reached three Wiltshire County Women's Cup finals, winning once, and lifted the Gordon Perrett Memorial Cup..

Which players though have stood out the most and proven worthy of selection for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's 'Team of the Decade' though?

After press officer Stuart Smedley had the honours of selecting the Team of the Decade for the first team, club stalwart Sam Wood has selected the best of the best for the Ladies team.

Goalkeeper

Leah Blanchard - a player that started off as a youngster within the club's youth section, she grew as a goalkeeper while playing in a Bassett shirt - hence why she went off to play with players like Chelsea's Hannah Blundell and Drew Spence at college.

Honourable mention: Jules Caton

Defenders

Left Back

Amber Egerton - naturally she isn't even left footed but can adapt in order to play here hence spending the majority of her time at Bassett in this position. Amber is a hard grafter and never stops running and even has the data from her FitBit to prove it (well that is if she doesn't get caught with it on).

Right Back

Lara Wilson - sadly I've not been fortunate to play alongside this player, but at 16 she has huge potential. Despite being quite quiet on the pitch, I've never met a player so calm on the ball as Lara and hope she continues her success in ladies football as she's had a great first season for Bassett so far.

Centre Back

Hannah Gulliver - it is crazy to think this is only Gulliver's fourth season at the club. Originally she came into a very 'top heavy midfield focused team' and despite scoring twice in her first ever game for Bassett she then found herself partnered with Laura Jefferies at the heart of the defence and the rest was history! They have both worked exceptionally well together and were a big contributor to why Bassett conceded the low amount of goals when the team earned promotion to the South West Regional League.

Laura Jefferies - there is a reason why this women has played the most games for Bassett's Ladies team. Jefferies has been the long-standing club captain and has a terrific left peg. She has a cracking delivery and is also known to love scoring directly from a corner. She grew up through ourthe club's youth section and is a great stalwart for Bassett, so deserves her spot in this team of the decade.

Honourable mentions: Jess Dent, Charlotte Burke, Megan James, Sarah Moore

Midfielders

Left Midfield

Amy Longo - an older face at the club, Longo was a key part of Bassett's runners-up squad in the Gloucestershire County Women's League Div Three back in 2009-10. She loved to run and had wicked pace and always knew where the goal was.

Right Midfield

Beth Westlake - one of the hardest players to ever play against, but I was fortunate to play alongside her in a Bassett shirt before an unfortunate knee injury. Westlake bought plenty of experience into the midfield, having played a big part in Swindon Town's promotion winning side. Her pace was terrifying and was a huge reason as to why she scored as many goals as she did in her short time at Bassett.

Centre Midfield

Lisa Coe - another long-serving player in the Bassett squad, Coe provides great experience across the women's football pyramid having played for many a team before Bassett. Now in her fourth season with the club, she is a great attribute to the team's midfield, controlling the game well and being able to strike a ball too as she is known to score a long-range effort.

Emma Sykes - for her height and age, this youngster is not to be pushed aside. Starting in the successful Under 16s side that won nearly everything, Sykes muscled her way into the Ladies team's midfield and worked hard to ensure she wasn't going to lose her spot. And she proved she deserved it as she won Manager's Player of the Year in 2017-18. Sadly her time in a Bassett shirt was short lived as she suffered an ACL injury. But Sykes is now on the mend, so it is hoped we will see her in a Bassett shirt again soon. P.S. - when she tells you she has a nosebleed she REALLY does!

Honourable mentions: Aly Lyons, Maddy Elliott, Joni Warner, Michelle Rich, Beth Kelloway

Centre Forward

Hayley Huckin - age means nothing for Huckin, another player with lighting pace that knows exactly where the net is and is a proven goal scorer in a Bassett shirt. Huckin has played a part in many of the Ladies' successful teams over the last five years, winning several league, County Cup and League Cup trophies.

April Polden - another cracking forward to have worn a Bassett shirt in the last decade, Polden was a key part of the Ladies squad for several seasons. She scored many a goal, through the use of her strength and pace. Even after moving to university, Polden chose to travel back to play for Bassett and worked tirelessly for the team - making her deserving of a place in the team of the decade.

Honourable mentions: Holly Baker, Lauren Kayll, Emily Bogg

Last modified on Thursday 16th January 2020 at 19:01.