New striker in, as Cox continues to be build squad
Former Cheltenham Town Scholar, Aaron Basford, has become the latest addition, to a Tuffley Rovers squad being rebuilt by the recently appointed manager, Rich Cox.
Cox, who had a spell as the Caretaker Manager of the Hellenic League Premier Division side last season, following the departure of former Player/Manager Mark Pritchett in July 2021, is overseeing his first pre-season as the club’s manager and has taken the opportunity to freshen up his squad, with Basford the latest addition to a youthful but exciting squad.
Alongside the signing of former Cheltenham Town, Hungerford Town and Gloucester City forward, Jamal Lawrence, Cox has started to build a squad with plenty of attacking promise, as well as having retained key defensive pairing Jacob Geddes and Macaulay Herbert, who forged a solid central defensive partnership over the fragmented 2020/21 season. It is Basford, however, who Cox sees as a pivotal signing and a signal of his ambition.
“I’m delighted with the signing of Bash and this is a big signing for the club. Along with the others we’ve managed to sign, alongside the retention of several existing players, it’s a statement of intent of where we want to take Tuffley Rovers”, he confirmed.
“Bash isn’t just a talented footballer he is a fantastic young man. I’ve known and worked with him for a very long time at Cheltenham Town, where I’ve seen him develop, both as a player and person and we’ve always had a strong relationship. He’s young, hungry and wants to enjoy his football. I see Tuffley Rovers as the place where that can happen.”
With several attacking players already signed for the 2021/22 season, Cox sees Basford’s ability to play in a number of positions as a crucial factor in signing him.
“He is a versatile forward, who can play across different positions and is a threat in the final third. I think the Glevum Park faithful had a glimpse of his talent, and what he can bring, during a game against us last pre season for Evesham and I’m sure they will be excited to see him wearing the claret and blue this season.”
Basford himself is keen to link-up with Cox again and is eager to get started with is new club.
“I am very happy to sign for Tuffley Rovers and ready to prove what I can do on the pitch. I am hard working and will keep going until the final whistle”, he added. “I’m determined and motivated to do well for the club and hopefully when we come to the end of the season we will all be proud of how we have done.”
Cox had already added Sam Mendes, Josh Swales, Felix Davis, Will Turner, Xander Jones and Lucas Price. Youngsters Laurie McNally and Jack Copland have also been added to the squad, after success with the club’s U18s squad last season.
In addition to this he has retained the signatures of Dom Kent, Warren Mann, Joe Shutt, Rudi McKinnon, Adam Clark, Luke Soule, Harry Morgan, Lewis Bainbridge and Luke Troke, amongst others.
More signings are anticipated, including two players awaiting International Clearance, as the club builds for the new season, which is now only 10 days away.
