Wednesday 5th August 2026
It's set to be a fresh start for Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development as the 2026-27 Wiltshire League Premier Division campaign begins with a new management team in charge and a renewed focus on bridging the gap between youth and senior football.
An assistant to Mark Simpkins last year, Josh Connolly is now in the hotseat. And he will be assisted by Steve Heary and Lee Chamberlain, both of who were coaches in Bassett's youth section last year.
While Connolly is stepping up into his first managerial role in senior football, Connolly has plenty to offer.
An inspirational leader with a never say die attitude - as evidenced by his recent world record-setting double marathon, he also brings a great deal of knowledge of the Wiltshire League.
As a player Connolly has spent a large amount of time in the division - indeed he was a member of Bassett's 2021-22 title winning side. He is also someone who always made the most of his talent on the pitch.
Such attributes should serve those playing under him well - especially the young players making the step up into senior football that Bassett will rely on more.
Such is the renewed focus on youth that exciting young forward Toby Parker, who is entering just his third year of senior football and won last season's Development team Supporters' Player of the Year award, has been made captain. And Connolly is excited to see the partnership he forms with Jacob Ryan.
There are then a number of youth section graduates - among them Aiden Cumberbatch, Karol Czekanski, Alex and Ed Greenouff, Dexter Lyall and Rhys Poulton - who will be pushing for extended playing time.
Experience is there in the squad too, coming in the form of the likes of the Spackman brothers, Ben and Max, Mani Mesas and George Staten. And they will be relied upon to help further bring Bassett's young charges along.
Together they will be playing week in, week out in what is a very strong division with multiple teams either looking to return to step six (the likes of Shrivenham, Pewsey Vale, Trowbridge Town and reigning champions Shrewton United) or to get there for the first time (including Development sides of Larkhall Athletic, ad newcomers Hungerford Town, as well as Melksham Town Reserves and Faringdon Town).
Promotion is out of the question for Bassett (unless the Men's First Team are to progress to step four). But Bassett will be looking to continue to be competitive in the division. The primary aim is, as ever for the Development team, to develop as many players as possible to progress into the Men's First Team. At the same time, there is the desire to try and create something special in the league. Bassett will therefore be seeking to improve on last season's creditable eighth place finish and edge into the top six
They have shown well in preseason, winning three, drawing one and losing just once in five games. Now Bassett's exciting young team will be looking to carry that form over into the real thing.
Please do show your support to the team! Admission for home league fixtures is just £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.
Last modified on Wednesday 5th August 2026 at 16:59.