Hello and welcome to the first episode of transfer news weekly, a new series rounding up all the confirmed transfer news and rumours from the somerset area.

In today’s episode, there are two confirmed transfers for both Bridgwater Town and Taunton Town. Also, there are two outgoings at Weston as they hire the manager that they hope will get them promoted back to the National League South first time. At Bristol City, Lee Johnson has a new contract, a record sale and some rumoured familiar faces coming back to Ashton Gate. Finally, at Bristol Rovers, their squad is depleting quickly as players are following Darrell Clarke to Walsall.

Firstly we start at Bridgwater Town where they hope to gain promotion as they bring in two new summer signings early into the window with many of last seasons team signing on for the next season. Firstly on the ins list is Steve Murray where an official statement said “Steve is a top quality striker with an outstanding goals to games ratio and trophies to match – as will be seen from the following: Wells City: 95 games 69 goals, Taunton Town: 71 games 31 goals, Street: 201 games 162 goals. The second summer signing was Ross McErlain where an official statement from Bridgwater Town reads “Ross is a talented and experienced defender who has had spells at Wells City, Shepton Mallet and most recent Street where he was Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2017-18 when they won the Toolstation Premier League by 15 points.” As well as signing some fresh faces, Bridgwater announce that “We are delighted to announce that Jake Viney, Harry Horton, Dave Thorne and Jake Brown have all agreed terms to stay with Bridgwater Town for season 2019/20! All four featured regularly for BTFC during the season just ended, each making a huge contribution in 151 appearances between them. Following hot the heels of our most recent announcement, we are delighted to be able to say that Mark Armstrong and Sam Towler have both agreed terms to stay with Bridgwater Town for season 2019/20. It is with much pleasure that we are able to announce that Dave and Karl have agreed terms with 4 more players to remain with the club in the upcoming season. Mike Duffy, a product of the prolific Bridgwater & Taunton College/BTFC Reserves ‘pathway’ is an integral part of the squad and has, despite a mid-season injury, impressed with his wholehearted ‘engine room’ performances. Tom Ellis has quickly become a fans favourite following his move from local rivals Wellington. His huge thrown-ins have become a trademark and are much feared by opposition defences across the Western League, Ian Bellinger returned to BTFC at the start of the season, again from Wellington, scoring 6 goals and creating many others with the quality of his set piece deliveries. Patrick O’Halloran, at 17 has stepped up from BTFC U18’s and has impressed with some mature performances which augur well for his further development as a key player for the club.”

Onto Taunton Town where they hope to go one better from their playoff campaign last season and gain promotion to the National League South. Firstly was a departure as Keith Emerson left the club, he had the following to say on social media, “I cannot thank you all enough for the support you have given me personally over the time I have been involved with the club. It is with a heavy heart and regret that I’m leaving, not a decision made lightly may I add. The club is in a great position you have a superb, strong, professional talented group of players. A great backroom staff who work hard to ensure the players are well equipped. An amazing army of volunteers that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the club function both on and off the pitch. Finally not forgetting all the fantastic supporters who travel both home and away, who spend their hard earned money supporting the players and the club. I look forward to seeing the club gain promotion this season, which I am positive the current group of players will deliver and I will hopefully see you at some point. I wish you all and your families all the best for the future #UpThePeacocks”. Two confirmed ins so far for Taunton where Jamie Short joined the club, in an official club statement: “The club are delighted to announce their first capture of the close season with the return of Jamie Short to the Viridor Stadium. The attacking wideman comes back to the Peacocks for his second spell”. Secondly on the ins is Josh Grant where Taunton said: “Taunton Town Football Club is delighted to announce the arrival of Josh Grant from Tavistock AFC to become Rob Dray’s second summer signing. The prolific striker is a former product of Plymouth Argyle’s youth system. He racked up 32 league goals last term to lead the Lambs to the 2018/19 South West Peninsula League title sealing their promotion to the Western League.”

Onto Weston Super Mare where plenty of early business has being going on, firstly the long awaited Weston manager was revealed as Scott Bartlett took over the reigns. In an official club statement from Weston: “The former Forest Green Rovers academy manager (Scott Bartlett) has returned to Weston for a second spell as manager on a three-year deal. I am delighted to commit my future to WSM. “My immediate goal now is to work with the board to build a squad that the supporters deserve and one that will challenge at the top of the table. “Relegation was unfortunate but it gives us – the management team, the board and the supporters a chance to rebuild and rebuild properly in a good way. “Our training facilities are impressive for this level and the club has moved on in that respect since I was last here. “It’s important we sign the right players, we need a squad that are desperate to fight for the club. “I will spend the next 24 hours discussing players with Mark McKeever who has done a great job of steadying the ship, he has been a credit to the club and I am looking forward to working with him. “In addition, I hope to bring in an experienced assistant player/coach who has played at a much higher level, hoping they have a similar impact to the one Chris Barker did. “I hope you share my excitement for the season ahead, we should be respectful of the league we are in but enjoy the challenge it brings”. Also there has been a couple confirmed outs as Weston Super Mare Confirm Right-back Ash Harper has left the club and signed for Bath City, Striker Jamie Lucas has left the club and signed for Halesowen Town in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division Central and Striker Gethyn Hill has left the club and signed for Southern Premier Division South side Merthyr Town. Also, while nothing has been confirmed officially there are rumours that Weston-super-Mare’s highly regarded young goalkeeper Liam Kingston has joined Evo-Stik South Division One South Melksham Town on a season long loan deal.  

Onto Bristol City where popular manager Lee Johnson has signed a new four year contract at the club where two transfers are already confirmed, one in and one out. Firstly on the outs where Bristol City confirm that “Bristol City would like to thank Lloyd Kelly and wish him well for the future as he joins Premier League outfit AFC Bournemouth for a club record transfer fee”. Bristol City also confirm “City have signed centre-back Robbie Cundy on a two-year contract, with the option of a further year. Cundy, 21, arrives from local side Bath City, where he played a vital part in securing the Vanarama National League South 2018/19 play-offs alongside fellow City youngsters James Morton and Freddie Hinds”. While nothing is confirmed yet, there are rumours circulating that Bristol City have had a bid accepted for Chelsea’s Tomas Kalas and that the deal will be announced in the next 48 hours.

And finally Bristol Rovers where everyone seems to be flocking away from the Memorial Stadium where the club confirm ” Assistant U23 Squad Coach, Brian Dutton is to leave the Club by mutual consent with immediate effect”. Also the club confirm that “Leaving the club following the expiration of their contracts are; Adam Smith, Sam Slocombe, Tom Lockyer, Daniel Leadbitter, Alfie Clarke, Stuart Sinclair, Chris Lines, Connor Jones, Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist and James Spruce. Loanees Jack Bonham and Alex Jakubiak have both reached the end of their loan deals. The club would like to offer its sincerest thanks to all of the departing players for their efforts during their time with Rovers and wish them every success for the future. Joe Partington and Deon Moore are all out of contract, but the club is negotiating new terms with a view to extending their stay. The club has exercised the option to extend the contracts of; Alexis Andre-Jr, Liam Armstrong, Ben Morgan, Alfie Kilgour, Rollin Menayese, Cameron Hargreaves and Rhys Kavanagh. Also the club confirm that “Defender James Clarke has agreed a deal to join Walsall, after turning down the offer of a new contract with Bristol Rovers.”

That is the end of Somerset Transfer Weekly for this week. Thanks for watching!