Wootton Bassett Town F.C. - History

History

Situated in the small market town six miles west of Swindon, Wootton Bassett Town have been playing football since 1882, making the club one of the oldest in the county of Wiltshire. For the majority of its existence, the club has played at its present home, the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground at Rylands Way. The ground was donated by Wootton Bassett dignitary Gerard Buxton for sporting activities within the town in the 1930s.

Progress made in the Swindon & District League culminated in the side entering the Wiltshire County League in 1903/04, a year after the club made the finals of both the Advertiser Cup and the Wiltshire Senior Cup.

Bassett made the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup again during their first year playing at county level, but lost to Swindon Town Reserves.

The County League featured clubs such as Melksham Town, Devizes Town F.C. and Chippenham Town as well as – from further afield – Bath City and Yeovil Casuals (now Yeovil Town F.C.). Bassett had mixed fortunes during their spell in this division, coming last in 1904/05 before finishing runners-up a year later. During this period, the club’s home games took place at ‘The Close’, upon which Tanners Close now stands, whilst the club was based at ‘The Royal Oak’ public house.

The club resigned from the Wiltshire County League in the summer of 1908 following their failure to comply with league regulations which insisted players must reside within a specific radius of the town – the majority of the Bassett side at the time lived in Swindon.

Years in the wilderness followed, thanks partly to the First World War – during which The Royal Oak was used as a barracks for German prisoners of war – and the presence of the 1920/21 FA Amateur Cup finalists Swindon Victoria, who for many years played their games in the town,

At the start of the 1930s, Bassett were revived and had much success in the Calne & District League, winning the league on three occasions. The division featured teams from numerous surrounding villages such as Clyffe Pypard, Bushton and Lyneham – a stark contrast to the sides they were competing against three decades earlier.

Re-election to the now expanded Wiltshire League followed, but Bassett struggled to compete with the likes of Westbury United, Devizes and Purton F.C.

Their fortunes began to change following the Second World War, and Bassett twice came close to reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Amateur Cup – in the 1946/47 season they were the last Wiltshire club standing, but were beaten 9–0 by Cornish side St Austell F.C. in the final qualifying round.

Bassett steadily rose up the Wiltshire League Division One table during the 1950s. After narrowly missing out on the title two seasons earlier, they were crowned champions in 1958/59. A year later, now playing in the Wiltshire Premier Division, Bassett enjoyed another successful season as they embarked on a nine game FA Amateur Cup run that saw them again fall one game short of reaching the First Round Proper.

The club generally found the going tough in their new league surroundings. However, they were up against strong opposition, which included numerous clubs from outside the county, namely Somerset sides Paulton Rovers, Radstock Town F.C., Frome Town F.C., Clandown F.C. and Peasedown, as well as Stonehouse Town F.C. from Gloucestershire.

Restructuring of the County League came at the end of the 1960s. This saw Bassett enter the Wiltshire Combination, which pitted them against more local sides. During the eight years of this competition, Bassett’s best finish was fifth in 1969/70.

In 1976 the Wiltshire County Football League was established after another reorganisation of football in the county. Bassett were placed in Division One but lasted two seasons before being relegated. They secured promotion a year later, but immediately went back down in 1979/80.

Steady progress eventually led to Bassett winning the Division Two title in 1984/85. In Division One, under the stewardship of Micky Woolford, Bassett won the league and promotion to the Hellenic League in 1987/88. That same year they again finished runners-up in the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup, losing 1–0 to Purton.

Micky Woolford remained manager until 1995, overseeing a spell in which Bassett established themselves in Hellenic League Division One. During this period Bassett reached the final of the Hellenic League Division One Cup three times, winning it twice in 1989/90 and 1993/94.

Bassett won their first County Cup title in 1998/99, beating Pewsey Vale 3–2 after extra time in the final held at the County Ground. A year later they gained promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division, having finished third – their highest ever finish.

In their first season in the Hellenic Premier, Bassett finished in a mid-table position, and also won the Wiltshire Senior Cup for a second time by defeating Shrewton United 2–0. A year later the club reached the First Round of the FA Vase for the first time, losing at home to Cornish side St Blazey A.F.C. However, in the league Bassett became involved in numerous relegation battles, eventually falling back to Division One West after finishing 21st in the 2004/05 season.

Bassett came close to securing an immediate return to the Hellenic Premier Division in 2005/06, following a three month unbeaten spell from the end of January. However, a 1–0 defeat at Trowbridge Town in the penultimate game of the year saw Bassett finish fifth in Division One West, one point shy of third place and a promotion spot.

Underachievement followed during the following two years, although season 2007/08 saw Bassett advance to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after wins over local rivals Highworth Town F.C. and Southern League side Bracknell Town.

A 15th place finish in that season was Bassett’s lowest ever in the Hellenic League, but a year later they were again battling for promotion and having cup success. Bassett went further than ever before in the FA Vase, reaching the Second Round Proper, where they were defeated 4–0 at 1992 winners Wimborne Town. Throughout the year, Bassett were promotion candidates, but defeat at Trowbridge late in the season meant Bassett finished fourth.

A return to the Hellenic Premier Division was finally achieved in 2009/10 as Bassett finished runners-up to Slimbridge F.C. on goal difference after losing three league games all season.

Bassett enjoyed another FA Cup run in the 2010/11 season. Bradford Town were beaten 4–3 on penalties in a replay. In the Preliminary Round Bassett defeated Western League side Almondsbury UWE 1–0 to reach the First Qualifying Round for the second time in the club's history. They were knocked out at that stage, however, by Hamble ASSC in another replay.

In the league Bassett enjoyed a good start, defeating eventual champions Wantage Town in September. They soon became engaged in a battle against relegation though and wound up finishing 15th. The club were eventually demoted after their Rylands Way ground was deemed not to have met ground grading criteria. Bassett's under 18 Senior team, managed by Danny Groom, enjoyed a very successful season, finishing runners-up in the Wiltshire Youth Cup and winning the Wiltshire Youth Floodlit League.

Back in Division One West for the 2011/12 season, Bassett hoped to challenge for promotion. Despite an up and down campaign this was still a possibility late in the season before they wound up finishing in fifth.

Over the last decade and a half the club has expanded, with the establishment of a large Youth Section and a Ladies Section. The club now operates 24 teams from under 8s upwards. This growth led to the club being awarded Charter Development Club status by the FA before this was upgraded to Community Club status. Bassett were the first club in Wiltshire to achieve this. International ties have also been established, with three youth section teams touring Holland annually. This has led to a relationship with amateur side FC 's-Gravenzande, who are based near The Hague.

Plans are also in place to see the club relocate along with the other members of the Wootton Bassett Sports Association to a purpose built site on the edge of town. This will allow the club to accommodate its sides on one facility, something which is currently not possible. Work is set to begin on this facility in 2013.