Bashley – or the Bash to give them their actual, genuine, “no really” nickname – are even newer to national football than Boro’. ormed in the immediate and austere aftermath of World War Two, it wasn’t until 1983 that the Bash decided the glamour of the Bournemouth League was all too much and traded it in for the much more becoming Hampshire League.
Based in sleepy New Milton, they were a new one on us when we drew them in 2001-2 FA Trophy Round Four. And they didn’t half make us work for it; Boro’ labouring to a slender 1-0 win. Any chance of us going up against each other are pretty much restricted to cup competition. The Bash are members of the Wessex League; a long way from home for us.
To be fair, they were in the Southern League at the time we met them…
Bashley: The Facts
The Recreation Ground
Bashley Road, Bashley, Hampshire, BH25 5RY
From the platform that was the Hampshire League, the Bash rose into the Wessex League (1986) and won the title in all three years they were associated with it. And so the Southern League beckoned in 1989, with Bashley immediately romping to the Southern League title to join the ranks of the Premier. Yes, Southern League Southern Division sounds a little bit overkill. Them, Portsmouth A, and Guernsey no doubt.
By the time they abandoned their delightful New Forest abode for the harsh, post-modernist surroundings of Stevenage in 2002, the Bash had dropped out of the Southern League’s top flight and back to what was called the Eastern Division. And amid a thoroughly average mid-table campaign in 2001-2, the FA Trophy draw brought them to face Cloughie’s side at Broadhall Way. In 2016, they fell out of the Southern League and back to the Wessex League.
How to get to Bashley – Travel Information – Distance: 119 miles
By Road
If you ever wondered just where Bashley is, we’re delighted to inform you it’s in the centre of the New Forest; around halfway between Southampton and Poole as the crow flies. To get there will be a combination of the M25, M3 and westbound M27. We’re not completely sure that elaboration is needed for that first part.
The M27 comes to an end on the western side of Southampton and it’s here that you’ll be coming off the carriageway before it becomes the A31 for Bournemouth. Take the first exit at the roundabout for the Southampton-bound A31, before the third exit at the next one for the A337. After 2.2 miles, you need to turn right for a road that Google hasn’t named.
But the next right turn is a named road: Pikes Hill. If you went the right way – and we pray that you have – you’ll come out in front of Christ Church. Turn left and then right so you’re on the A35. Once you pass seven miles, turn left onto the B3058 Holmesley Road for 2.3 miles; the road goes round by The Rising Sun and becomes Bashley Common Road.
There is a minor car park at the ground, so we can’t promise that you’ll find a space there. Otherwise, street parking seems like the best bet.
By Rail
Station: NEW MILTON
Services to: LONDON WATERLOO
At around a mile-and-a-bit, it’s possible to walk up from the nearest station. You end up leaving the station, heading east and turning left onto Station Road. This is the B3058 and all you need to do is follow it up to the ground.
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