Opening Hellenic and Wiltshire League fixtures announced

The first month of fixtures for the Hellenic League Premier Division and Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division have now been released.

And testing months are in store for Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Men's First Team and Development sides are due to face as they kick off their 2024-25 campaigns.

Men's First Team

Last season saw the Men's First Team not just claim a promotion playoff place after finishing fourth in the Hellenic League Premier Division, but they also reached the playoff final. To come close to repeating that feat this season, Sam Collier's side will need to hit the ground running - and take advantage of an early run of home fixtures at the Sustain Stadium.

For the first time since joining the Hellenic League for the 1988-89 campaign, Bassett will be playing a competitive fixture in July to open the new season. And that history-making contest will be a derby as Bassett entertain Fairford Town on Tuesday 30 July (7.45pm kick off). Collier and his team did the double over the Reds last season, including a 1-0 victory at the Sustain Stadium in March courtesy of an Olly Case goal - a result that proved vital in Bassett earning a playoff spot, and helping condemn Fairford to being on the outside looking in as they ultimately wound up in eighth.

After a Friday night Emirates FA Cup extra preliminary round contest against Mangotsfield United on 2 August (Sustain Stadium, 7.45pm kick off), Bassett's second league fixture sees them entertain Brimscombe and Thrupp on Tuesday 6 (also 7.45pm). The Lilywhites are another side who Bassett did the double over last year, with a 4-0 home triumph in mid-March. This year's fixtures between the teams will have some added interest too given new recruits Ollie Pitt and Dan Hill will be facing their former team so early in the campaign.

Bassett's run of home fixtures continues with the league visit of Mangotsfield on Saturday 10 August (3pm) before another tough home test against last season's seventh place side Roman Glass St George on Tuesday 13 August (7.45pm).

Collier and his team are then due to hit the road for the first time in the league on Saturday 24 August with a trip to Thornbury Town. Thornbury struggled last season, finishing 18th, though they posed a challenge for Bassett, with the teams drawing in Wiltshire before Bassett earned a narrow 2-1 win away in October.

August then is due to conclude with a derby visit to last season's runners-up Corsham Town on Tuesday 27 August (7.45pm). Almost a year to the day of Bassett's trip to the Southbank last season, Collier and his side will be hoping to avoid the outcome (a 7-1 defeat) they suffered in 2023-24 as they take on a Corsham team under new management.

Development

Mark Simpkins' Development side will be hoping for a repeat of their impressive sixth place finish in the Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division last season. In a strengthened division though, the first month of the season - which is due to see them play eight fixtures (roughly a quarter of the total they are due to play across the campaign) - could be crucial.

And Bassett will have an early test of their prospects when they visit Pewsey Vale - top three finishers in each of the last three seasons - in their opening fixture on Saturday 3 August (3pm kick off). Bassett then host Blunsdon in their home opener on Wednesday 7 August (Sustain Stadium, 7.45pm kick off). Local rivals Blunsdon finished ninth last season, just three points behind Bassett, with the teams splitting their fixtures. On Saturday 10 August the Development side visit their Salisbury equivalents (3pm kick off), and will be hoping to extend their run of three straight victories against the Whites. There's then another home derby midweek contest on Wednesday 14 August as Kingsdown visit the Sustain Stadium (7.45pm kick off). August continues with a visit to newcomers Faringdon Town - last season's Division One title winners - on Saturday 17 August (3pm). The Development team are then due to finish August with a trio of home fixtures. That run begins with a third derby against Wroughton on Tuesday 20 (7.45pm), before Shrewton United are the visitors on Saturday 24 August (3pm). Newly promoted Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves - Hampshire Combination and Development League title winners in 2023-24 - then travel to the Sustain Stadium on Saturday 31 (3pm).

-

All support - home and away - is greatly appreciated. So please do come along when you can!

Admission for home Men's First Team fixtures this season will be £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.

Admission for home Development team fixtures this season will be £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for RWBTFC youth members.