Wilkinson Swoops For Partridge

Hungerford Town Bobby Wilkinson had announced the signing of central defender Matt Partridge from Evo-Stik League South Premier side Basingstoke Town.

Partridge (pictured) started his career in the youth system at Reading progressing through the academy as under-18's captain, he went on to sign a professional one-year contract in July 2012.

In October 2012, he joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Bognor Regis Town on a one-month loan deal.

In November, his loan was extended for a further month. Having returned to Reading after the Boxing Day fixture, he remained a regular for the under-21's during the 2012/13 campaign. In May 2013, he was offered a new one-year contract by Reading.

In September 2013, he joined Conference (National League) South side Basingstoke Town on a one-month loan deal.

He scored on his debut in a 3–2 away defeat to Bromley, scoring the opening goal. His second goal for the club came in a 3–1 defeat to Weston-super-Mare in the FA Cup.

In October, his loan at the club was extended for a further month. In November, he scored the second in a 2–0 victory over Dover Athletic in the league. At the end of the month his loan expired having made eight appearances scoring three times. At the end of December, he re-joined Basingstoke on loan until the end of the season.

His final goal for the club came in February 2014, in a 1–1 draw with Boreham Wood. He finished the season having made fifteen appearances scoring four goals in all competitions.

In July 2014, having been released by Reading he signed for Football League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge on a one-year deal.

He made his professional debut in August 2014, starting in the Football League Cup tie against Brentford.

The match ended in a 6–6 draw, equalling the record for the most goals scored in a League Cup game, with Brentford eventually advancing on penalties.

In August 2015, after starting his second season with the club as a regular and just two months after signing a new deal, Partridge was released by Dagenham by mutual consent.

Four days later he re-joined then-National League South side Basingstoke only to sign for League Two outfit Newport County shortly after.

He was released by Newport in May 2016 at the end of his contract and returned to Basingstoke.

Meanwhile, Alan O'Brien has left the club by mutual consent after failing to agree contract terms with Wilkinson.

O`Brien played a large part in Hungerford`s promotions over the years but had been plagued with injuries throughout his time with the Crusaders.

He was quite possibly the fastest man to grace the Bulpit Lane turf and will be missed.

Wilkinson said: "Unfortunately we have had to let Alan go today after failing to agree a contract with him. Alan has given so much to the club and on behalf of everyone, I want to wish him well on his next chapter. My message to him, would be, do what you want to do, not what others persuade you to do".

Where next?

Youngsters Get Senior Opportunity At Poole As part of the move to integrate players at all levels of the club, Poole Town have signed a number of last season`s successful under-18 players to an expanded first-team squad.
Nicholson: Torquay Moving In Right Direction The Gulls gained their third pre-season win, with Nicholson pleased with his side.

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