Talented quartet offered chance to prove potential

Royal Wootton Bassett Town manager Jonny Aitkenhead has secured the services of three further bright young talents - including two homegrown players - as well as an intriguing goalkeeping prospect. And all four will be given the opportunity to prove their potential. Midfielder Finlay Skitrall and defender Noah Cranswick-Coates are no strangers to the club. The pair were a key part of Bassett's recent successes in the Wiltshire League Under 18 Floodlit Division and have already have Men's First Team appearances under their belts. Joining them is left winger Rudi Hopkins, another talented youngster who arrives from Fairford Town. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Henry Sandys-Lumsdaine has also signed. Although older than the aforementioned trio of signings, Sandys-Lumsdaine will be getting his first crack at Hellenic League. An imposing, six foot four shotstopper, Sandys-Lumsdaine played football and rugby at a high level during his youth and has impressed so far in preseason as he takes another crack at the round ball game. Profiles of the four players are available below. All four players are available to sponsor for the 2025-26 season for just £50. If you are interested in sponsoring any of our Men's First Team players, please contact Chairman Paul Gerrish (paul.gerrish@rwbtfc.co.uk; 07946 629483) or Head of Men's Section Rab MacLeod (robert.macleod@rwbtfc.co.uk; 07980 876176).

Finlay Skitrall (Midfielder)

Skitrall is a promising young midfielder who is looking to establish himself with Bassett's Men's First Team after shining for the club's Under 18 Floodlit and Development teams. Skitrall first featured for Bassett in 2023-24, scoring twice and providing a handful of assists as he played a key role to help the Under 18s finish runners-up in the Wiltshire League Floodlit Division. He also made his Development team debut that year. Skitrall began last season with the Men's First Team and made his debut at home against Mangotsfield United. He made a further appearance for Cirencester Town before moving to Brimscombe and Thrupp with who he featured 14 times. Skitrall also played eight times for Bassett's Development team in 2024-25, scoring a single goal.

Rudi Hopkins (Midfielder)

Hopkins is a young, left-sided winger who joins Bassett this season. Over the past couple of seasons he has featured for the Swindon Town Foundation C6 team - including the 2023-24 side that won the Community and Education Football Alliance Cup - and Fairford Town Under 18s. Hopkins also made a single Hellenic League appearance for Fairford in 2023-24.

Noah Cranswick-Coates (Defender)

A product of Bassett's youth section, Cranswick-Coates is a talented defender who made his Men's First Team debut last season. He was a member of the Bassett Under 18s teams who finished runners-up in the Wiltshire League Floodlit Division in both 2022-23 and 2023-24, captaining the side in the latter of those years and winning Manager's Player of the Year. In 2023-24 Cranswick-Coates was also a member of the Swindon Town Foundation C6 team that won the Community and Education Football Alliance Cup. He made his Bassett Men's First Team debut last season, featuring seven times in all while making one start in a Floodlit Cup tie against Didcot Town Development. Cranswick-Coates also featured for Fairford Town Under 18s in 2024-25, helping them win the South West Counties Youth League and earning the team's Manager's Player of the Year prize.

Henry Sandys-Lumsdaine (Goalkeeper)

Sandys-Lumsdaine is an imposing goalkeeper who joins Bassett this season. He is a player who spent time with Hungerford Town and Swindon Town as a youth, but who has mostly played senior football at a District League level. Sandys-Lumsdaine also has a background in rugby, representing Newbury.