BASHLEY have announced the capture of Billy Lowes ahead of their return to the Southern League.

The New Forest side secured their place in the Southern League after six years away by finishing second in the Wessex Premier League.

Bash had previously spent 27 consecutive seasons in the Southern League, apart from a brief sojourn between 2004 and 2006, when they were transferred to the Isthmian League.

Central midfielder Lowes had been the longest serving player at the Avenue Stadium prior to leaving Dorchester Town, making 186 appearances across five years with the Dorset club.

Lowes had previously been on the books of both Cherries and Yeovil, before departing to Cherries to join Poole Town in 2013.

Spells at Weymouth and Wimborne Town followed, before Lowes established himself as a key player for Dorch.

The signing of Lowes follows the announcement that former Cherries striker Matt Tubbs had extended his spell as player-coach at the GlenMex Stadium.

Former Pompey forward Tubbs, who teaches in the New Forest at Brockenhurst College, joined Bashley ahead of their final push for promotion from the Wessex Premier.

Bash have also confirmed numerous games of their pre-season schedule, with the eighth tier outfit visiting 10th tier Totton & Eling on Tuesday, July 5.

Poole Town then visit the GlenMex Stadium on Tuesday, July 12, before Bash travel to Dorset Premier League side Bournemouth Sports on Thursday, July 14.

Ringwood Town will then host Bashley on Tuesday, July 19, before an Aldershot XI visit Bash on Tuesday, July 26.

The only confirmed weekend game for Bash currently is their final scheduled friendly, when recently promoted Winchester City visit the New Forest outfit.

Bashley pre-season schedule:

  • Tuesday, July 5 – Totton & Eling (A) – kick-off 7.30pm
  • Tuesday, July 12 – Poole Town (H) – kick-off 7.45pm
  • Thursday, July 14 – Bournemouth Sports (A) – kick-off 7.00pm
  • Tuesday, July 19 – Ringwood Town (A) – kick-off 7.45pm
  • Saturday, July 23 - New Milton (A) - kick-off 3.00pm
  • Tuesday, July 26 – Aldershot Town XI (H) – kick-off 7.45pm
  • Saturday, July 30 – Winchester City (H) – kick-off 3:00pm