Tuesday 8th July 2025
As part of his squad rebuild, Royal Wootton Bassett Town manager Jonny Aitkenhead is putting trust in youth. And three of the Bassett boss' new signings demonstrate the quality of young talent he has been able to attract.
Full back Ollie Smith is an example of homegrown talent that Aitkenhead will offer first team opportunities to. Bassett's 2024-25 Young Player of the Year, Smith will be stepping up from the Development team with who he enjoyed an excellent campaign, earning a half dozen Men's First Team appearances from the bench.
Smith will be joined at the back by Chippenham Town Academy graduate Harry Messenger, who last season played a key role in Devizes Town's run to the Western League Division One playoffs while on loan.
Attacking midfielder Ed Taylor is another Bluebirds' Academy prospect who Aitkenhead has signed. He gained Hellenic League experience with Cirencester Town last season, with Aitkenhead ensuring that Bassett secured his signature this year.
All three players have great potential, which they will be aiming to demonstrate in Bassett colours.
Profiles of the players are available below.
All three players are available to sponsor for the 2025-26 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) or Head of Men's Section Rab MacLeod (robert.macleod@rwbtfc.co.uk; 07980 876176).
Smith is a highly talented young full back who has come through the Bassett youth system.
Smith was a standout performer for the Development team in 2024-25, his first year of senior football. Featuring 25 times for Mark Simpkins' side, Smith scored one goal and was named the club's Young Player of the Year. He also made his Men's First Team debut as a substitute against Hereford Pegasus in October and would go on to feature a further five times from the bench.
Messenger is a talented young defender who joins Bassett this season from Chippenham Town Academy. Capable of playing either at centre half or right back, Messenger featured heavily for Chippenham's Under 19 side over the last two seasons.
While with the Bluebirds, Messenger made one first team appearance in last year's Wiltshire Premier Shield quarter final encounter against Bassett. In 2023-24 he had a brief loan spell with Western League side Bishop Sutton. He then spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Devizes Town in Western League Division One, making 45 appearances as Devizes finished third. While with Devizes Messenger's excellent performances earned him a Players' Player and Young Player of the Year award double.
Taylor is a promising young attacking midfielder who joins Bassett this season.
A Chippenham Town Academy graduate, Taylor made his First Team debut for the Bluebirds last season as a substitute in the Wiltshire Premier Shield quarter final tie against Bassett. Taylor gained Hellenic League Premier Division experience too, making 11 appearances for Cirencester Town, scoring once. He was also a key part of Chippenham's Under 19 squad last season, scoring nine goals in 20 matches as his team finished fourth in the National Football Youth League South Premier Division.
Last modified on Tuesday 8th July 2025 at 17:13.