Tuesday 15th August 2023
The final part of the Men's First Team 'Meet the squad' series covers two new signings, one player returning to the club after a spell away at university and another talented youngster entering his first full season with Royal Wootton Bassett Town.
Impressive 'keeper Harry Pickering is new to Bassett and fills a significant hole left in the squad following Matt Crowther's departure. Arriving from Melksham Town Reserves, Pickering is making the step up from Wiltshire League football but has already shown his quality in his early appearances.
At the other end of the pitch, forward Connor Waldon brings experience of professional football with Swindon Town as well as plenty of Southern League nous. Bassett manager Sam Collier will be hoping to help Waldon recapture the form that has seen him be a success at a higher level.
George Staten, meanwhile, is a midfielder returning to the club. Having come through Bassett's youth section, Staten is back after time at university and is an exciting young player who will be pushing for a First Team place.
Finally, central midfielder Josh Timbrell - who signed for the Men's First Team in January - enters his first full campaign with the club. An intelligent player, he'll be seeking to progress into the starting eleven after the majority of his appearances last season came from the bench.
Speaking of the players, Collier said: "Harry and Connor help us fill areas of need and it's great to have them."
"Losing a 'keeper like Matty Crowther was a blow and we had a look at a number of players in that position in pre-season. We're delighted to have ended up with Harry though. I know the Melksham manager fairly well and we're on reasonably good terms - he spoke very highly of Harry and, given his quality, was keen that he came to us to get experience at a higher level. He's already shown in the first couple of games how good a 'keeper he is."
"Connor has plenty of experience at a higher level and knows where the back of the net is. We've got a lot of attacking talent in the team, but the thing that was missing was an out-and-out centre forward - and that's what Connor brings. If we can get him committed and at his game then we'll have a top striker in this division."
"George and Josh are then two talented young midfielders. George will start the season with the Development team but I'm sure he'll soon get his chance with the Firsts. With Josh, Griff and I are keen to see him continue to develop and push the other players we have in the centre of midfield.
Detailed profiles of the four players are available below.
All 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).
Pickering is a highly-rated young goalkeeper who joins Bassett this season from Melksham Town. A player who has represented Wiltshire at Under 18 level, his performances helped Melksham Under 18s finish as unbeaten winners of the Wiltshire League Floodlit Division in 2018-19. That year he also made his debut for Melksham Reserves in the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division before serving as their first choice 'keeper in each of the last three seasons, as well as being backup for their first team in the Southern League.
Waldon is a well-travelled forward with professional experience who joins Bassett this season. A player who came through the ranks at Swindon Town, Waldon made eight appearances for the Robins - including three starts - between 2013 and 2015. He also had numerous loan spells during his time at Swindon, including in the National League with Tamworth, Gloucester City and Brackley Town.
Following his release, Waldon joined Swindon Supermarine (where he had also been on loan), and over the course of three spells with Marine he scored 34 goals in 73 matches. Waldon has also had spells with Mangotsfield United and North Leigh in the Southern League while he has featured for Highworth Town, Shrivenham and Chipping Sodbury Town in the Hellenic League.
Returning to the club this year after being away at university, Staten is a talented player who is a product of Bassett's youth section. Possessing great pace and a great left foot, he is capable of playing either in midfield or at full back.
Staten made his debut in senior football with Bassett in 2017-18. Spending the majority the season playing for the Development team, he scored three goals, while winning the Manager's Player of the Year award. His impressive displays were enough to earn a call-up to the first team towards the end of the campaign. In all he made five appearances, winning man of the match on his debut against Abingdon United. A year later he scored six goals in 17 Development team appearances and was again named as Manager's Player of the Year. Staten briefly appeared for the Development side in 2022-23 too, playing three times.
Timbrell is a central midfielder who is entering his first full season with Bassett after initially joining in January 2023. He is an intelligent young player with a good passing range and ability to the read game, who is also versatile enough to play at full back.
A graduate of Chippenham Town's Academy, Timbrell made his Hellenic League debut in 2021-22 when he started the season with eventual Premier Division runners-up Westbury United, playing 17 times before joining Hallen with who he featured in 9 games. Timbrell began last season with Bradford Town before moving to Bassett. He made his debut as a substitute against Brimscombe and Thrupp before making his first start in a Challenge Cup fixture against Thornbury Town. In all Timbrell made 15 appearances, all but two of which came from the bench.
Last modified on Tuesday 15th August 2023 at 11:30.