Saturday 26th July 2025

To say it has been a summer of change at Royal Wootton Bassett Town would be a major understatement.

Not only is there a new manager in the Men's First Team dugout with Jonny Aitkenhead - a player who progressed through the club's youth section into its senior ranks - taking the reins. But there's an entirely new squad of players who will be pulling on the blue and yellow shirt as Bassett begin their 2025-26 Hellenic League Premier Division campaign.

That squad will be much, much younger than that which Bassett have been accustomed to. Unlike in recent seasons, young talent and players with much potential who have starred at steps six and seven will be given more of a chance to impress.

Given the significant squad turnover, those shifts are partly out of necessity. But they are principally decisions that have been made out of design, with the desire to build a Men's First Team squad with more of a long term perspective in mind.

Indeed, there is an exciting blend of players in the squad with a mix of some of the best young talent in the area (who already have played at a higher level), homegrown players, players who have excelled at steps six and seven and are getting a deserved chance at a higher level, as well as those who bring necessary experience.

The volume of changes and nature of Bassett's recruits mean that there will likely be some growing pains. Indeed, it may take time for the new team to gel together and for various players to adapt to the Hellenic Premier. There will also be challenges they have not faced before together as a team.

But the required talent, potential, drive and fortitude are present across the squad to be competitive, with the team already coming together as a group.

These qualities have been shown across a preseason in which Bassett have shown their character in victories against combative, physical opponents in the form of Cheltenham Saracens (2-0) and Hungerford Town Under 23 (4-2). Despite losing 4-1, Bassett fared well in a tough test against higher level Didcot Town. An energetic, impressive performance then secured a 1-1 draw in an entertaining friendly against Forest Green Rovers Under 18s.

The primary aim for the team this season will be to grow while still being competitive in the league - with the hope for a possible healthy cup run as well.

There's confidence that those goals can be achieved too.

Either way, it will be exciting to watch this young side grow.

Last modified on Saturday 26th July 2025 at 21:51.