| Bashley
Football Club was founded in 1947 and joined the Bournemouth League
in 1950, progressing through the ranks before leaving in 1983 to
join the Hampshire League. In 1986 they became founder members
of the Wessex League and won the title for the first three years
they took part, 1986/87, 1987/88 and 1988/89. In the 1987/88 season,
Bashley came to national prominence after an incredible run in
the FA Vase, which came to an end they reached the semi-finals,
losing 2-0 to Emley in the second leg of the semi-final after a
0-0 draw at the Recreation Ground.
Following their third Wessex League title, the club were accepted
into the Southern League Southern Division and amazingly won the
title in their first season, gaining promotion to the Premier Division.
Things almost got even better the following season as Bash led
the table for a long period of time and were in contention for
promotion to the Conference, but fell away towards the end to finish
in fourth place. Sadly the meteoric rise of the club came to an
end as a result of relegation two years later back to the Southern
Division.
In the 1994/95 season, Bashley reached the First Round proper
of the FA Cup for the first time, and won 1-0 at Chesham to set
up a Second Round tie with Swansea at the Recreation Ground. Despite
losing 1-0, Lee Walker hit the post in injury time and Richie Paskins
had a clear chance which wasn't taken as Bash almost caused a huge
upset.
More recently, Bash established themselves as a mid-table Southern
Division side, until August 1997 when ex-European Cup winner Jimmy
Case was appointed as manager. Bash were promotion challengers
during the 1997-98 season, eventually finishing third and just
missing out on a return to the Premier Division. The club had their
record FA Trophy run in the same season, reaching the last sixteen
and losing narrowly at Conference side Hayes.
Bash came to prominence again when their excellent young midfielder
Wade Elliott signed for AFC Bournemouth in January 2000 for ?5,000,
with Bash receiving further money based on appearances. Wade has
now progressed to the Championship with Burnley after a fine spell
with the Cherries.
The 2001/2002 season was notable for a superb FA Trophy run, ended
only by finalists, Stevenage Borough of the Conference, with an
unfortunate 1-0 defeat. A top six place was achieved in the 2002/03
season, although Bashley were top of the table for a spell in January
and February and but for a five game spell in February and March
from which they took only one point, would have been challenging
strongly for promotion. The season was capped by a first ever Hampshire
Senior Cup final, secured by two memorable victories over then
Dr Martens Premier Division side Havant & Waterlooville in
the two-legged semi-final. The night of the final at Southampton?s
St Mary's Stadium was another superb occasion for the club despite
an eventual 2-1 defeat to Conference bound Aldershot Town after
taking a first half lead, and no-one who was there will how close
Bash came to defeating their illustrious opponents.
The 2003/2004 season was a relative disappointment after the heights
of the previous campaign, with Barry Blankley resigning early on
in the season and leading players Paul Sales, Craig Davis and Aaron
Cook departing for substantial transfer fees. Bashley narrowly
missed out on promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division under
new manager John Robson and had to settle for a place in Isthmian
Division One, as a result of FA restructuring.
Robson departed as manager at the end of the season, and Geoff
Butler was appointed in the summer with Ricky Haysom remaining
as his assistant. Bash recovered from losing a number of players
in the close-season and made an encouraging start to the new season,
chasing a play off spot and playing some attractive football, but
lost key players during the season and had to settle for a mid
table finish.
Butler and Haysom departed during the summer of 2005 and Dave
Wakefield took charge as player/manager for the new season. However,
after a poor start to the season, both Wakefield and player/coach
Andy Darnton were relieved of their responsibilities with Steve
Riley taking over as player/manager, following a short spell as
caretaker manager, with Eddie Harper as his assistant. An excellent
run in the second half of the season took Bash to just outside
the play off places, and gave hope that the 2006-7 season would
be successful. A number of close season signings gave the Bashley
faithful renewed cause for optimism. They were not to be disappointed!
As a result of further FA restructuring, Bash found themselves
transferred back into the Southern League South and West Division,
and enjoyed an unforgettable record-breaking season, winning the
league by an incredible 28 points and achieving a rare double century
of 102 points and 111 goals, including a spell of 27 League matches
unbeaten from October 27th 2006 to March 31st 2007, which was broken
only after the league title had been secured. Promotion was an
all round team effort, Bash having the most prolific attack and
the meanest defence in the league. Richard Gillespie finished up
with 41 goals, the highest total in any of the Southern League
divisions, and along the way broke the club all time goalscoring
record held by Colin Cummings, which had stood for over thirty
years.
Promotion to the British Gas Business Premier Division in 2007-8
will bring a fresh challenge, and new grounds to visit, as well
as renewing acquaintances from Bashley?s previous spells at this
level. Players, officials and supporters are looking forward to
the new season to see how Bash fare at the higher level but are
quietly confident of being competitive.
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