RWBTFC - News - Rylands Way farewell: ten years on

Rylands Way farewell: ten years on

Friday 21st April 2023

23 April marks the tenth anniversary of Wootton Bassett Town's Men's First Team's final competitive match at Rylands Way.

The fixture saw Bassett finish their time at their long-time home in style, with a Steve Robertson hat-trick securing a 3-0 Hellenic League Division One West derby victory against Malmesbury Victoria.

All the goals came in the final quarter hour of the match as Bassett triumphed in the final game of their promotion winning campaign to seal a perfect goodbye.

A report from the match can be read here.

That fixture marked the end of an important era in the club's history.

The opening of the new sporting facility on land bequeathed by Major Gerard Buxton, as well as the desire to have tenants alongside the town's cricket club had led to the revival of the football club, which – despite initially being formed in 1882 – had twice folded, in 1908 and 1927.

In 1930, reformed and with a new ground, the club restarted life in the relative obscurity of the Calne and District League, facing opponents from nearby villages. Over the course of the next 83 years, Bassett would rise into the Wiltshire League and, via time in the Wiltshire Combination and Wiltshire County League, eventually up into the Hellenic League.

While the nature and quality of Bassett's opponents altered significantly, one constant was Bassett's ground. There were changes along the way. Additions included the building of the white brick wall stand in 1970, which was upgraded in 1976 when the clubhouse was opened, and, eventually, the installation of floodlights in 2000. All were developments aided by the help and efforts of volunteers, and which reflected the progress the club was making.

That progress continued, and the growth in size of the club – particularly the creation of the youth section – as well as other Sports Association members meant that for the final decade and a half that Bassett called Rylands Way home, it became increasingly clear that a new facility was needed that could house all the club's teams.

Thanks to the inspiration and drive of a band of volunteers – with former chairman and current Life Member Paul Harrison at the helm – that was finally achieved after years of hard work.

That meant leaving Rylands Way behind though. With its bumpy playing surface – the famous Bassett bobble – and somewhat claustrophobic clubhouse, the old Gerard Buxton Sports Ground was very much different to the excellent facility the club has called home since 2015 (after the Men's First Team spent two seasons ground-sharing with Cirencester Town).

But for all those involved with Bassett who got to play for or watch our club there, Rylands Way is a ground that is much loved and fondly remembered to this day.

Many lasting memories were created at our former home. Here's hoping that will continue to be the case at the new Gerard Buxton Sports Ground for decades to come.