Willand Rovers are delighted to announce that exciting young forward Charlie Bateson has agreed to extend his stay at Silver Street for the 2026/27 season.

Bateson joined the Rovers in December 2025 with a growing reputation as one of the area’s most promising young attacking talents. Prior to making the move to Southern League football, Charlie enjoyed a prolific spell with Street FC, scoring 15 goals during the first half of the campaign. That impressive return followed a successful period with Shepton Mallet, where he also established an excellent goalscoring record at a young age.

Stepping up to the demands of Southern League Division One South football, Bateson adapted well and became an important member of the squad during the second half of the season. Featuring both as a starter and from the bench across a variety of attacking roles, he contributed four goals in 22 appearances while continuing to develop his game against more experienced opposition.

|    “We Are Fully Invested Into Maximising His Talents” – Ben Watson    |

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed another member into his 26/27 squad, and this is what he had to say: “Delighted charlie acknowledges Willand Rovers F.C is the right environment to aid his development. Charlie is someone I believe in and we are fully invested into maximising his talents. We will work tirelessly with all our players to grow relationships and make sure everyone is sharp, fit and primed ready for the season.”

|    “Can’t Wait For The New Season” – Charlie Bateson    |

Club media also managed to catch up with Charlie, and this is what he had to say upon re-signing with Willand Rovers: “Can’t wait for the new season and continuing my football development with Willand Rovers. The culture and togetherness I am fully invested in and our ambitions are aligned. Watto is someone who believes in me and I want to repay that faith with hard work for the team, consistent performances and plenty of goals.”

His performances have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from a number of fellow Southern League clubs. However, Willand Rovers are delighted that Charlie has chosen to continue his footballing journey with the club and remain part of the exciting project being built ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Back the return of Charlie Bateson 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 Charlie throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Charlie Bateson, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome back to Silver Street, Bates 👏

Willand Rovers are delighted to announce the signing of experienced defender Myles James ahead of the 2026/27 season.

James arrives at Silver Street from Buckland Athletic Football Club, where he made 42 appearances last season and established himself as a consistent and dependable presence in defence. The club moved quickly to secure Myles’ signature amid interest from several other Devon-based clubs, underlining the belief within the management team that he will be an important addition to the squad.

|    “Bundles of Ability and an Outstanding Attitude” – Ben Watson    |

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed the second Summer Signing to his 26/27 squad, and this is what he had to say: “Overjoyed to have been able to sign Myles! Myles is someone who has bundles of ability, an outstanding attitude and who I trust wholeheartedly. Myles is someone I know I can get the best out of and I can’t wait to see him perform for the mighty Rovers. Myles had interest from a number of clubs but believed in our ambition and culture here at Willand Rovers FC.”

|    “I knew it was the right place for me” – Myles James    |

Club media also managed to catch up with Myles, and this is what he had to say upon joining up with Willand Rovers: “I’m really looking forward to joining Willand Rovers. Watto is someone I’ve known for a number of years and, after speaking with him and hearing the ambitions of the club, I knew it was the right place for me to continue my footballing journey. COYR.”

A strong and composed defender, Myles also brings valuable higher-level experience to the squad, having previously represented Truro City Football Club during his career. His experience, athleticism, and quality on the ball are expected to add further strength and competition to the Rovers’ back line heading into the new campaign. Everyone at Willand Rovers Football Club would like to welcome Myles to Silver Street and wish him every success in a Rovers shirt.

Back the arrival of Myles James 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 Myles throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Myles James, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome to Silver Street, Myles 👏

After 13 years at Silver Street, Ryan Guppy has decided to move on from Willand Rovers Football Club in order to pursue a new opportunity closer to home.

Across his 13 year connection with Willand Rovers, Guppy established himself as one of the club’s most dependable figures. His loyalty is something that has proved increasingly rare in modern football, and his contribution both on and off the pitch has been significant throughout his time at Silver Street.

Guppy leaves the club having made an outstanding 583 appearances in a Willand shirt, a remarkable achievement that reflects his consistency, professionalism, and commitment over more than a decade with the Rovers. Guppy was an integral part of our 2019 Western League Champions squad and also helped the club win the Les Phillips Cup twice, alongside the Devon St. Lukes Bowl.

Everyone at Willand Rovers Football Club would like to place on record their thanks to Ryan for his service, commitment, and contribution to Willand Rovers over the years. And we wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.

All the best Gupps 🤝

Striker Fin Rooke becomes the second forward to commit to Willand Rovers Football Club for the 2026/27 season.

The popular forward returned to Silver Street in December following spells with Taunton Town and Tiverton Town and went on to play an important role as the Rovers battled for survival in the Southern League Division One South. Across 22 appearances, Rooke contributed three goals while once again demonstrating his work ethic and commitment on and off the pitch

|    “He will excel and push our club forward.” – Ben Watson    |

Fin’s connection with Willand stretches back to the summer of 2021, when he first joined the club from Honiton Town and featured throughout the 2021/22 season. He later re-signed ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and enjoyed an outstanding season, earning the club’s Young Player of the Season award after reaching double figures for both goals and assists.

His impressive form attracted interest from higher up the pyramid and earned him a move to Taunton Town during the summer. However, limited opportunities in a competitive forward line restricted his game time before a subsequent move to Tiverton Town. While at Ladysmead, Rooke was often utilised away from his natural striker role, limiting his opportunity to showcase the instincts and movement that make him such an effective penalty-box forward. Seeking regular football in his preferred position, Rooke returned to Willand midway through the 2025/26 campaign and quickly settled back into an environment where he has consistently thrived.

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed another member of the 26/27 squad back to Silver Street, and this is what he had to say: “I have coached and known Fin since he was nine years old and he is someone I really believe in. He has had a few years moving around clubs and I truly believe that, in our environment, he will excel and push our club forward.”

Back the return of Fin Rooke 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 Fin throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Fin Rooke, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome back Fin 👏

Striker Harvey Dorothy becomes the first forward to commit to Willand Rovers Football Club for the 2026/27 season.

Harvey needs little introduction to the Silver Street faithful. A relentless and hard-working centre-forward, he was the club’s top goalscorer in the 2024/25 campaign and has found the net 23 times in 81 appearances for the Rovers to date.

|    “Harvey is someone who wants to be the best.” – Ben Watson    |

Dorothy first made his mark in senior football with Crediton United Football Club, where he enjoyed a prolific spell in the South West Peninsula League. During the 2022/23 season, he was also registered with Exmouth Town Football Club in the Southern Football League. He followed then joint managers Ben Watson and Jack Furzer to Barnstaple Town Football Club, where he scored 13 goals in 28 appearances for Barum. Dorothy subsequently joined Willand and was later reunited with Watson and Furzer midway through the 2025/26 season, continuing to demonstrate the qualities that have made him one of the most dependable attacking players in the region.

Club media caught up with Ben Watson, as we welcomed another member of the 26/27 squad back to Silver Street, and this is what he had to say: “Harvey is someone who wants to be the best and looks after himself off the field. He has always given his all for this football club, and the lad just never stops. His relentless attitude, mixed with his ability to be a constant threat, is exactly the recipe we want at our football club.”

Back the return of Harvey Dorothy 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 Harvey throughout the campaign and play a direct role in supporting the club. To sponsor Harvey Dorothy, or to find out more about the benefits of player sponsorship, please contact our Commercial Team at willandroversfc@outlook.com

Welcome back Harv 👏