Tuesday 21st October 2025
Injuries have unfortunately forced Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Alice Telling to bring a premature end to her playing career.
However the extremely talented midfielder ensured she would go out on a high, providing three assists and scoring a stunning goal in her final match as Bassett triumphed 11-1 against Calne Town in the Wiltshire County FA Women's Cup.
A composed but intelligent midfielder who has the eye for an accurate pass, Telling was destined to play higher level football. She was previously at Swindon Town with who she made 21 appearances for the Robins' first team in the FA Women's National League.
After a 2023-24 season that was frustrated by injury, Telling joined Bassett in the summer of 2024. She featured 18 times for Bassett in her debut season, scoring once in a County Cup victory against FC Chippenham.
More injury issues meant that Sunday's County Cup win against Calne was Telling's first game of the 2025-26 campaign for Bassett - and she has now made the decision to hang up her boots.
Telling does nevertheless have a future in the game. A qualified coach, she has headed up several girls' teams for the Swindon Town Foundation. And Bassett manager James Lally is hopeful of persuading her to take up a position on his management team.
Speaking of Telling's decision, Lally said: "It's never easy to say goodbye to a player like Tells. She is calm on the ball, intelligent in her movement, generally an outstanding centre midfielder, and a solid goalkeeper when needed too."
"She's never been one for sprinting much, but somehow she always seemed to have the most time, reading the game better than anyone else. Her awareness and positioning have always made her stand out, even when playing at higher levels."
"Unfortunately, the game has taken its toll on her body — but her attitude, resilience, and love for football has always been clear."
"She's Swindon's own Busquets — and that says it all really. On and off the pitch Alice has been pure class. She'll be missed massively, but I'm always hopeful I can get her back in a coaching role in the future."
Last modified on Tuesday 21st October 2025 at 16:53.