Recently appointed manager Justin Flowers and his newly assembled management team of Phil Goulding, Tim Smith, Kev Bridgeman and Graham ‘Leo’ Learmonth have been working hard during what seems like a unusually long preseason, to get a strong squad together for the upcoming season.

With the first league game just around the corner, here is a preview of the final Vics squad for the upcoming season.

Goalkeepers:
ANTHONY BROWN
MARK BILLINGSLEY
HARRY IRVING

Anthony Brown has moved back into his more familiar position of goalkeeper after doing a fantastic job for the club outfield in recent seasons.
Mark Billingsley follows Justin from Corsham Town where he was a vital part of the club for over 10 years to supply very reliable cover for Ant.
Harry Irving has been promoted from the under 18 set up to supply competition for the two senior keepers.

Manager’s comments:
‘Browner has been great to work with. His performances have been pretty much faultless in preseason and he is going to be huge for us this season. We are lucky to have him in goal and everyone just seems to be so relaxed when he is behind them.
Mark and Harry have both been outstanding as well. To have two keepers of this standard to back up Browner is a great position for the club to be in.’

Centre Backs:
PAUL CARSON
ZAC COSTELLO
DAVID HARE
EWEN KENNY

Paul Carson has remained at the club after another solid season last year. He is our most experienced player in the squad at the tender age of 38. Carson has been appointed vice captain for the upcoming season.
Zac Costello follows Justin from Corsham Town where he was his captain for the past two seasons to add even more strength, depth and experience to the position.
David Hare also makes the move from Corsham to Malmesbury despite a lot of effort from them to keep him there, plus an offer from a club in a higher division.
Ewen Kenny has also remained at the club after being in and around the squad for the past few seasons.

Manager’s comments:
‘I couldn’t be happier with the centre back options we have for this season. Carson stood out in the first training session and has just got even better throughout preseason. He is probably the fittest player at the club. He is a real battler and has a massive desire to win at all costs which I love.
Zac committed to coming with me straight away. His constant level of assured and high level performances and leadership qualities is why I wanted to continue working with him so when he agreed to join so quickly I was delighted.
David was the last player we managed to sign as he had a lot of really decent offers over the summer. The offers he had were a lot closer to where he lives so when he chose us it was a great feeling. He adds pace and even more quality to the centre back position for us.
Ewen has played a lot of cricket during preseason but when he’s been available he has been great for us. He can play anywhere across the back line and at wing back so he will be vital for us this season.
The options we have at the back allow us to play a back four or a back three which is what I really wanted so I’m delighted to have these four centre backs available to us.’

Full Backs / Wing Backs:
JAMIE PACKER
JACK HUMPHREYS
LUKE CURTIS
ETHAN PORTER

Jamie Packer remains at the club after many years of top level performances at the club.
Jack Humphreys joins Vics as his first senior football club after playing for league winners FC Chippenham Youth last season.
Luke Curtis is another defender to make the jump from Corsham to Malmesbury.
Ethan Porter will also be having his first taste of senior football following spells at FC Chippenham Youth and Castle Combe Youth.

Manager’s comments:
‘The options we have in these positions are also brilliant. Weather we play with two full backs or two wing backs we are blessed with strong competition.
Packer has played the role excellently. He has played as a winger or even up front for his time at Vics previously but has done exactly want we wanted when adapting to the new position. The fact he can play so many positions so well is great. He is a huge asset for me and this team going forwards.
Jack has also played cricket this summer but in the little amount of time we have been able to use him I have been hugely impressed. He can literally play anywhere up the right so he is another great player who can play in many positions for us.
Luke was another player I really wanted to bring with me from Corsham. They also wanted him to stay and it was a hard decision for him, as he is from Corsham, so when I convinced him to sign I was delighted. He has looked brilliant in preseason and he will be massive for us this season.
Ethan has also been fantastic on the left. You would never know he hasn’t played men’s football before. I’ve been very impressed whenever he has had minutes and I look forward to seeing how he can progress as the season moves forward.’

Midfielders:
JACK HOBSON-MCVEIGH
ASHLEY ALCHIN
MANI ROPER
LEWIS MORRISSEY
BEN PATEY

Jack Hobson-McVeigh joins the club from the 5th tier of German football after moving to the area just before lockdown. Jacks high level of performances and quality have really shone through during preseason and everyone is excited to watch such a talent at our club this season. Jack has been appointed captain for the upcoming season.
Ashley Alchin is yet another player to swap the red of Corsham Town for the black and white of Malmesbury Vics. His energy and drive have been very evident in preseason and he seems to already be a fan favourite.
Mani Roper has remained at the club to give even more high quality to the midfield.
Lewis Morrissey is another exciting prospect from FC Chippenham Youth and also had a spell at Newent Town last season. He has had many impressive and ensured performances over preseason and looks likely to be a key part of the managers plans.
Ben Patey is the youngest member of the squad at just 17 years old but after an impressive preseason he is another exciting prospect for the club after putting in some stand performances during preseason.

Manager’s comments:
‘I am really excited to be able to use these midfielders during the upcoming season. They are all excellent on the ball and they are all willing to work hard for the team when it really matters. Plus they all have their own individual qualities which really gives us some excellent options and different ways to win games.
Jack is a huge signing for the club as he had offers from teams in higher leagues. He has played at such a high level previously and his experience is already proving to be a huge asset to me as a manager and us as a team. He’s been a pleasure to manage and I’m looking forward to continually working with him this season.
Ash is another player that I was desperate to bring with me from Corsham. His energy and pure desire to win every dual in an attacking and defensive sense is exactly what we need and he has had a great preseason. His high level of performance in every game for me last season was exceptional and I know he will do the same for Malmesbury this season.
Mani has also been very impressive. He’s played in a higher league before and you can tell with some of his performances. He is fantastic on the ball and gives us another great option to play the way we want to throughout this season.
Lewis has been brilliant during preseason. His general midfield play and level of passing for someone so young is already outstanding and he is going to be a huge part of our plans this season. He really does compliment the other players around him as he is so disciplined and assured playing in a deeper role.
Ben has also been excellent. His level of performances have been way above his age. Both Ben and Lewis have had some great games against higher league opponents so we are sure they will perform to a decent level against opponents at our level.’

Attackers:
JOSH HUGHES
SHANE BUMPHREY
SAM PARKER
KYLE WITT
SHANNON POCOCK
JOE TRANTER

Josh Hughes remains at the club. He has played in a far more advanced position compared to previous seasons and has looked very sharp.
Shane Bumphrey also remains at the club. His performances and goals have shown he is back to his best and looks ready for the season.
Sam Parker rejoins Vics after a spell away from the club last season. Already looking as strong as ever.
Kyle Witt remains a Vics player. Looked ready to make great impression on the new manager but has unfortunately been injured for most of preseason.
Shannon Pocock is another attacking player remaining with the club. Looked sharp when given his chance and remains dedicated to the cause.
Joe Tranter remains a loyal player to the club. Has played for both the first team and reserve team during preseason and performed well for both.

Manager’s comments:
Josh has been one of the stand out performers in preseason. His goal tally is excellent but his drive and power are going to cause opponents so many problems this season. He can play in so many positions but as soon as I played him in an advanced role I knew we needed to keep him there.
Shane is full on class. He’s the best finisher I’ve managed without a doubt and only needs one chance to get a goal. His work rate and hold up play have also been exactly what we wanted, especially when he played up on his own against higher league opposition. I can’t wait to see what he can achieve this season.
Sam has also been great during preseason. His power and presence is obvious for everyone to see but his cleverness and linkup play is top level stuff. He is exactly what this teams needs to be successful and everyone playing around him will only be better because of it.
Kyle was the stand out player during our first few training sessions and our first friendly but then he got injured. It’s unfortunate but I have no doubt when he is fully recovered he will be a great option in attack for us.
Shannon is a great option to have for us. He works so hard and is versatile. Knows where the goal is as well. Great around the squad and he will be massive for us during the course of the season.
Joe has played for us and the reserves. Every time he plays for us he has really contributed to us winning the game and will be very important throughout the season.’

‘Overall I couldn’t be happier with the squad of players we have. They are all fantastic players but most importantly they are all willing to work hard for for each other and the club and they are all really decent lads.
I honestly can not wait for the season to start tomorrow and see what these players can achieve.’