Development team season preview: Bassett seek more of the same

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development kick off their 2024-25 Wiltshire League Premier Division campaign this weekend with a visit to Pewsey Vale. Travelling to a team who finished third last season (in turn achieving a third consecutive top three placing), the game will represent an early litmus test of Bassett's quality. But, after a 2023-24 season in which they finished an impressive sixth place, Mark Simpkins' team can be guaranteed to at least be competitive in that fixture - as well as all others they face this year. That's no mean achievement given the challenging dual aims of continuing young players' development - pushing them towards first team football, while remaining competitive in a league that get stronger by the year. Not only does the Wiltshire League features numerous first team sides pushing to climb the non league pyramid - with Pewsey being just one example, but it contains a number of strong second string sides of clubs playing in steps three to six. Under Simpkins' guidance, Bassett have gained a reputation for their style of play and the Development team manager has certainly squeezed the most he can out of a squad that are talented and hungry, yet also still largely wet behind the ears. As is typical for the Development team, there has been some turnover in players again this summer. Last season's top scorer Nat Bell and Matt Capel (both Calne Town) and full back Harry Walters (Abingdon United) have been enticed away by the deserved prospect of first team football. Seeking to step up to earn a regular break in senior football are Under 18 graduates Jack Rae (goalkeeper), Francisco Patrao (full back), Ollie Smith (centre back) and James Dorsett (centre midfield). Elsewhere, forward Dale Richards - a member of Bassett's 2021-22 Wiltshire League title winning team- returns to add experience, with winger Ryan Withers also coming back into the fold. Midfielders Will Slater and Sam Smith have also been added to an exciting squad. They may fly under the radar, but there are plenty of reasons to watch and back the Development team as they seek to repeat last season's impressive showing.