James Richards commits to Silver Street for the 2026/27 season, providing another major boost to Willand Rovers Football Club ahead of the new campaign.

James Richards returns to Silver Street for the 2026/27 season after an outstanding second spell with Willand Rovers Football Club.

Richards joined the club on the registration deadline after spending a year away from the game and made an immediate impression in a Willand shirt. Despite his limited time with the squad, he featured six times and quickly demonstrated his quality and versatility, earning a Man of the Match award along the way.

Used at full-back, centre-back, and in central midfield, Richards brought leadership, composure, and a fierce competitive edge to the side. His ability to perform at a high level in a variety of positions made him an invaluable asset during the closing stages of the season.

A highly respected figure in non-league football, Richards is a former captain of both Tiverton Town Football Club and Bideford Association Football Club, and has also represented Exmouth Town Football Club.

First Team Manager Ben Watson said:

“I am extremely happy Rico has decided to sign. When he came in last season after a year out of football, he was absolutely outstanding.

He is from the old school and takes no prisoners. He is a player who wants to win at all costs and has experience of winning trophies at higher levels.

With his pedigree and quality, this is a real coup for the club.”

Richards’ commitment adds proven leadership, experience, and versatility to the squad as preparations continue for the 2026/27 Southern Football League season.

Willand Rovers are pleased to announce that the 2025/26 Supporters Player of the Season, Josh Ford, has commited to the Rovers ahead of the 26/27 Season.

Josh Ford returns to Silver Street for the 2026/27 season after an outstanding second spell with Willand Rovers Football Club.

Ford rejoined the club in December and quickly re-established himself as a commanding presence at the heart of the defence. His dominant performances, leadership, and consistency at the back played a key role during the second half of the campaign, earning him the club’s Supporters’ Player of the Season award.

|    “He is a man mountain, an exceptional defender, and a brilliant person.” – Ben Watson    |

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed the second member of the 26/27 squad back to Silver Street, and this is what he had to say: “Delighted Fordy is staying. He is a man mountain, an exceptional defender, and a brilliant person. His experience and winning mentality breeds throughout the team, and he will get the best out of everyone around him. He understands and appreciates our club ethos and will give everything for the badge, which was recognised by winning Supporters’ Player of the Season.”

Having begun his career with Queens Park Rangers Football Club, Ford has built an impressive non-league résumé. He has featured for Melksham Town Football Club, Bristol Manor Farm Football Club, Paulton Rovers Football Club, Frome Town Football Club, Larkhall Athletic Football Club, and Yate Town Football Club, where he captained the side to promotion to the Southern Football League Premier Division South in 2019.

Ford’s commitment is another major boost as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign, with one of Silver Street’s most influential performers set to play a key role once again.

Back the return of Josh Ford to Silver Street by becoming his official player sponsor for the 2026/27 season. Player sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity for businesses and supporters alike to associate themselves with Ford throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Josh Ford, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome back Fordy 👏

Willand Rovers are pleased to announce that midfielder Lewis Morgan, is the first player to commit to the Rovers ahead of the 26/27 Season.

Ben Watson has been quick to get his planning for the 26/27 season underway as fans favourite Lewis Morgan will return to Silver Street!

Morgan signed following Ben Watson’s appointment as manager of Willand Rovers and made an immediate impact at Silver Street. Morgan’s impact within the squad was rich with his desire to continue his development for the upcoming Southern League campaign imperative.

|    “He’s a born Leader and Winner.” – Ben Watson    |

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed the first member of the 26/27 squad back to Silver Street, and this is what he had to say: “Lewis is integral to what we are building at Willand Rovers FC. All rovers fans saw in a short space of time the Outstanding player he is and there’s so much more to come. Most importantly it’s the person he is, Ambitious, Professional and is a born Leader and Winner.”

Lewis Morgan brings significant experience at Step 3 and Step 4, and has so far enjoyed an impressive career in non-league football, featuring in both the National League South and the Southern Premier League. Following a standout introduction to life at Silver Street, Morgan’s return is a major boost for the squad as preparations continue for the 2026/27 Southern Football League campaign.

Back the return of Lewis Morgan to Silver Street by becoming his official player sponsor for the 2026/27 season. Player sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity for businesses and supporters alike to associate themselves with Lewis throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Lewis Morgan, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome back Lewis 👏

Match Preview: Willand Rovers v Exmouth Town

It’s been 6 weeks away from home but Rovers make their return to Silver Street this weekend as we take on Exmouth Town in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO!

It’s been 6 weeks away from home but Rovers make their return to Silver Street this weekend as we take on Exmouth Town in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO!

Last time out for Willand it was a trip to Trungle where after a few weeks away from action, a game was more than welcome, even if it was one of the longer trips of the season. New signings Louis Jagger-Cane and Lewis Morgan are coming into the squad. The debutant Morgan opened up the scoring for Rovers but an instant response from the hosts levelled it up.

But like London buses, Harvey Dorothy put us back in front. Charlie Bateson made it three with a stunning strike just over the hour mark but it was the Seagulls who swooped a point at the death with Jack Symons & Jacob Kevern clawing it back for Mousehole.

The attention now turns to a Devon Derby which is certainly more than welcome after many weeks of downpours and divots. Many familiar faces make their return up the M5 with Alfie Cunningham, Tom Bath & Ross Edwards set to take to the Stan Robinson.

For Town, they currently sit just outside the playoffs after a solid first half to the season. Kevin Hill’s aim is once again the playoffs after last season’s defeat at Evesham in the semi-finals. A year of building on and off the pitch at Southern Road has allowed Exmouth to be once again up the top end of the table.

The Seasiders go into this game on the back of a 3-1 win last weekend at home to Falmouth Town where Aarron Denny, Ben Steer & Matt Wright helped the hosts to all three on the afternoon. Our last outing with Town was a cold, bitter 2-2 draw with Rovers scoring through Dorothy & Hewitt with Exmouth pulling back a point through Thorne’s brace.

One to watch for this weekend’s visitors would have to be Matt Wright who’s managed to grab 8 goals this campaign. A league stalwart, Wright will be a handful for the rovers backline this weekend and one to watch out for on the counter.

The bar will be open from half 12 tomorrow afternoon, with the usual lineup on tap. Turnstiles open at half 1. The tea hut opens from 2 pm onwards for your Matchday meal and refreshments. Kick off at 3! Don’t forget to join us after the game for a drink.

We cannot wait to welcome you back to Silver Street this weekend. It feels like an eternity, but now is the time, more than ever, to get behind the lads as the momentum builds towards something special. Bring a mate, pack the gate for a Devon Derby not to miss.

Willand Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of striker Louis Jagger-Cane from Step 3 neighbours Tiverton Town.

A village lad, Jagger-Cane returns home to Willand after six years away from the club, adding a proven goalscorer with experience at a higher level.

The forward rejoined Tiverton Town earlier this summer following an outstanding spell with Sidmouth Town. During his time at Sidmouth, he recorded 29 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, helping the club secure league and cup winners’ medals. His performances were recognised with the Players’ Player of the Season award.

As it stands, Jagger-Cane is Tiverton Town’s leading goalscorer this season, with seven goals in 22 appearances in the Southern League Premier Division South.

His return represents a significant addition to the Willand Rovers squad ahead of the remainder of the campaign, as the club looks to retain it’s status as a member of the Southern League Division One South.b

Welcome back to the Willand Rovers Family, Louis 💚

Willand Rovers are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Lewis Morgan, who joins the club from Shaftesbury.

Morgan arrives with significant experience at Step 3 level, having made over 100 appearances for Dorchester Town. A composed and versatile midfielder, he brings proven pedigree across the non-league pyramid.

Morgan signed for Street FC in the summer under manager Ben Watson. Following Watson’s appointment as manager at Silver Street, Morgan also took on a coaching role, working alongside Craig Laird. He transferred to Shaftesbury in December, further adding to his senior experience.

A graduate of the A.F.C. Bournemouth academy, Morgan has since featured across the non-league pyramid, including spells in the National League South and the Southern Premier League with clubs such as Yeovil Town, Dorchester Town, and Tiverton Town.

Morgan’s arrival strengthens the midfield options at Willand Rovers as the club continues to build for the remainder of the season.

Welcome to the Willand Rovers Family, Lewis 💚

Match Preview: Mousehole AFC v Willand Rovers

Mr Blue Sky might tell us why we’ve got a game on this Saturday as the forecast remains clear ahead of our trip to West Cornwall to take on Mousehole AFC in the Southern Football League Division One South with a 3 pm KO.

Hopes are high that Rovers will be in action after a couple of weeks away from the action with the end of the storms in sight. However, one thing we didn’t expect this season was to visit Mousehole before they came to our place. The reverse fixture has now been postponed three times from its original date in October but the Seagulls will finally get to take on Willand this weekend.

The hosts this weekend have had a stop-start campaign with the weather having its say but currently sit in the middle of the pack in a relatively stable position, seagulls boss Jake Ash will be hoping that once the action gets back underway, they can aspire to get back into the top half of the table.

Mousehole’s in a fairly similar boat to Rovers, their last game was on the 17th January where they made the mammoth trip to Sporting Club Inkberrow where the hosts narrowly grabbed all three points whilst the visiting Cornishmen’s 514-mile round trip saw them go home empty-handed.

One to watch for the Trungle boys this weekend would have to be Hayden Turner who has been vital for Mousehole this season, providing 7 in the Division One South and will certainly put the all-whites backline under pressure on Saturday.

The last outing between the two sides sees us cast back to March last year where points were crucial at the tail end of the season with a pileup outside the relegation zone. Rovers made sure in their fourth meeting between Mousehole of the campaign to grab all three with goals from Brandon Bak & Fin Rooke on the afternoon.

Fancy a trip way out west? The fun bus is in operation for this fixture with the fare standing at £15 and departure from Silver Street being 10:30 am. Do contact Mike Hawkins or the club’s socials to book your place on the bus.

It’s been a tough few months for the blades of grass across the south west, but it’s a testament to an army of volunteers through all of this to get these games on. As the fixtures come in their hundreds (feels like it, probably is about 10) keep getting behind the lads and we’ll be back home soon!