Sunday 16th July 2023
The fourth instalment of the Men's First Team 'Meet the squad' series covers five promising young talents, all of who will be aiming to continue their progress and establish themselves as regulars in Sam Collier's side.
Jowan Partridge - who went on to be named Young Player of the Year - and Harry Walters cemented places as regular starters for the Men's First Team in 2022-23, with both enjoying standout seasons. Meanwhile, fellow defender Sonny James, midfielder Spencer Bowen and forward Flynn Walters all made their debuts.
With four of the five having stepped up from the club's successful Under 18 Floodlit team, there's now a clear, established pathway from the club's youth section to senior men's football.
That is something of which Bassett can be proud - and here's hoping there will be more to come from this cohort of players and more who follow in their footsteps.
Speaking of the five players, manager Sam Collier said: "They are super talented young lads, all of who have a bright future, and each of them will be given a fair chance to establish themselves with the Men's First Team this season as they continue their development."
"For Jowan, the sky is the limit. He was an incredible find for us last year. His performances were outstanding for someone who only turned 18 part way through the season. He put in such mature displays against big teams in this league. We're absolutely over the moon that he's back with us and we can't wait to see how much more he can achieve."
"Spencer spent the last two months of last season in around the first team after watching him in the Under 18s. He put in consistently solid performances for them at left back, has a great left foot and I look forward to working with him more this season."
"The same goes for Sonny, Flynn and Harry. All are very talented young players who play in different areas of the pitch and will get their chance. They've all got outstanding ability and we can be confident about the young talent the club has coming through the Under 18 and Development teams."
Detailed profiles of each player are available below.
All five players are available to sponsor for the 2023-24 season for just £50. If you are interested in sponsoring any of our Men's First Team players, please contact Chairman Paul Gerrish (paul.gerrish@rwbtfc.co.uk; 07946 629483).
A recent graduate of Bassett's Under 18 Floodlit team, Partridge is an extremely talented young defender who has the potential to go far in the game. Comfortable at either centre half or half back - while also possessing the quality to play in central midfielder, he possesses a maturity beyond his 18 years of age. Partridge is calm and assured when in possession, an excellent distributor of the ball and his anticipation and ability to read the game make him an ultra-composed defender.
Partridge joined Bassett's Under 18 side in 2021-22 and quickly stood as a star player in a team that went on to finish as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up. His performances earned the attention of Men's First Team manager Sam Collier, with Partridge making his debut as a substitute in an FA Vase win against Downton before appearing twice more.
Last season saw Partridge earn his first start in an away win at Mangotsfield United and in all he featured 29 times, with just two appearances coming from the bench. In a season in which he would go on to be named Bassett's Young Player of the Year, the defender also narrowly missed out on selection for English Schools FA Under 18 Schoolboys' squad, reaching the final trial.
James is a highly talented young defender who will be pushing for a regular Men's First Team berth in the new season. Capable of playing at both centre half and full back, he is a composed defender who can also distribute the ball well. James was a key member of the Under 18 team that finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up in each of the last two seasons. And in 2022-23 he made his Men's First Team debut as a substitute in a home win against Tuffley Rovers before appearing three further times from the bench.
James also spent part of last season playing in the USA for the Allen Community College Red Devils at National Junior College Athletic Association level.
Quick, keen to get forward, impressive on the ball and a solid man-marker, Walters is a promising young full back who made an impressive impact after making his Men's First Team debut last season.
Walters made his first appearance in senior football with Stratton Juniors in 2020-21, featuring 12 times for them in the Wiltshire League Premier Division. He started the subsequent campaign with Stratton before transferring to Bassett, with Walters playing 14 times as the Development team were crowned Wiltshire League champions.
Walters continued to impress with the Development side at the start of last season, and it wasn't long before Sam Collier drafted him into the Men's First Team squad. He made his debut in a Floodlit Cup win against Cribbs and went on to make 19 appearances, including 16 starts.
Bowen is a talented young player who is aiming to break through and establish a regular place in the Men's First Team this season. A left-sided player capable of playing either in defence or midfield, he possesses great skill and is a strong passer of the ball.
Bowen starred for Bassett's Under 18 side as they finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up last season. Earning both Manager's and Players' Player of the Year awards, he made 20 appearances, scoring one goal. He also featured twice for the Development team before making his Men's First Team debut as a substitute in a 3-0 home win against Hereford Pegasus. Bowen went on to make another five appearances from the bench.
Walters is a promising young forward who made his Men's First Team debut last season. Skillful, with good pace and an assured finisher, he was a part of the Under 18 Floodlit team who finished as Wiltshire League Floodlit Division runners-up in each of the last two seasons.
He registered twice in 13 games for the Under 18s in 2021-22 before playing a more significant role in 2022-23 as he scored eight times in 21 games. Walters' performances saw him earn a place in the club's senior Men's sides last season too. Walters featured five times for the Development team and made his Men's First Team debut as a substitute against Chipping Sodbury Town, scoring the final goal to cap a 4-1 victory.
Last modified on Sunday 16th July 2023 at 17:02.