Meet the squad: Dynamic attacking quartet offer goals and assists
The third instalment of the Men's First Team 'Meet the squad' series covers four attacking midfielders, all of who have the knack of creating and scoring goals. Last season's Supporters' Player of the Year Alfie Presley, youth section product Bailey Gallagher and the elegant and highly talented Tommy Ouldridge have all been retained. Meanwhile, Tom Moore - the more direct of the four players - returns to Bassett from university. Having all four players at his disposal gives Bassett boss Sam Collier a selection headache - but it's certainly a nice one to have given the potential contributions that they can make. The Bassett boss said: "Again it's great to be working with the lads again, and a bonus to have Tom Moore back from university. They're quality players and on their day, they are all capable of being match winners." "I've rated Alfie ever since I first saw him play. He is a very sought after player centre forward or wide man. He's got all the attributes, his quality is different class and I'm glad to have persuaded him to come back given the interest shown in him." "Tommy was very unlucky last year with his injuries, but every time he plays for us, whether that be wide in midfield or off the striker, he produces. He's an incredible young lad and his attitude is different class." "Bailey has the quality of anyone I've ever met and the ability to play higher and higher. He's got all the attributes and, given he has come through the youth setup here, he means the world to this club." "In the short period we had him the season before last, Tom Moore provided a burst of energy, excitement and enthusiasm. He'll score goals, and his pace, desire and quality will cause problems for any team. It's great to have him again." Detailed profiles of each player are available below. All four players are available to sponsor for the 2023-24 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).
Alfie Presley
Presley is a hugely talented attacking midfielder. Boasting skill, speed and strength, the willingness to take defenders on and expert delivery, his performances have seen him earn Player of the Year awards for Bassett in two different seasons. In 2019-20 Presley was crowned both Manager's Player and Players' Player of the Year, while in 2022-23 he earned Supporters' Player of the Year. Presley is a player who has the ability to play effectively across the entire front line - be that out wide or as a number nine or ten. He also has an eye for goal, netting 24 times in 80 appearances for Bassett, including 15 last season. Presley first played for Bassett in 2016-17, making a single appearance in a season in which he also briefly featured for Marlborough Town in the Wiltshire League. In 2017-18 he struck twelve times in twenty games for Bremhill, while also being named Chippenham Town's Academy Player of the Year. Stepping up to Western League football in 2018-19, he played nineteen times for Chippenham Park, scoring once. After his highly successful 2019-20 campaign with Bassett in which he scored four goals in 25 games, he played five teams, scoring once a year later. He began 2021-22 with Malmesbury Victoria, netting five goals in 14 games, before finishing the year with Bassett by adding four goals in eleven appearances. In blue and yellow last season he enjoyed his best year in front of goal to date.
Tommy Ouldridge
Ouldridge is a mercurial attacking midfielder who is entering his third full season with the club. Capable of playing on either wing or through the middle, he is an extremely talented player who possesses great skill, the ability to pick out any pass, an excellent delivery and an eye for goal. Ouldridge came through Swindon Town's youth system and was in and around the Robins' first team, though never made an appearance. He was released by Swindon after loan spells at Chippenham Town and Cirencester Town during the 2017-18 season. He started the 2018-19 campaign with Hungerford Town before moving back to the Centurions where he spent the majority of the next two seasons. After also briefly featuring for Shrivenham in 2019-20, Ouldridge played six times for Bassett in 2020-21, scoring three goals. A season later, he featured 41 times, scoring seven goals. Injuries frustrated him last season, but Ouldridge still made 30 appearances, contributing five goals.
Bailey Gallagher
Gallagher is a graduate of Bassett's youth section, who made the step up to first team football two seasons ago after having consistently performed strongly for the club's Development team. A highly skilful attacking midfielder who can play on either wing, he boasts a great turn of pace and is not afraid to take players on. With his trickery and pace, Gallagher is exceptionally difficult to defend against and he also has the knack for producing spectacular goals. Gallagher made his Development team debut in 2018-19, while still featuring in Bassett's youth section, scoring four times in thirteen games. 22 appearances yielded seven goals in 2019-20 before he produced a return of six goals in nine Wiltshire League Premier Division matches in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign. Gallagher then impressed in his first full season playing at Hellenic League Premier Division level. Bassett's leading outfield appearance maker in 2021-22, he featured 44 times, scoring nine goals. Last season he added another seven goals in 47 matches.
Tom Moore
Moore is a gifted, young attacking midfielder who re-joins Bassett this season, having spent the past year and a half at university in Manchester. A player with a superb attitude and willingness to improve his game, he possesses great pace, a willingness to take players on and is an excellent crosser of the ball. Moore was with Swindon Town as a youth and was offered a scholarship in 2019 before his release. Moore then joined Bassett for the 2021-22 season and made a strong impression, scoring three goals in eleven appearances.