NEW Wootton Bassett Town manager Paul Braithwaite has returned to his former club to make his first three signings of the summer Centre half Nathan Hawkins, the versatile James Skinner, and goalkeeper Ben Mitchell, have all moved to Bassett.

Hawkins is a defender with Southern League experience, having previously been with Cirencester Town before moving to Cinder Lane.

Skinner, who primarily operates at the back but is also a capable midfielder, re-joins Bassett, with whom he had a brief spell as an under 18 in the 2008/09 season.

Mitchell, whose previous clubs include Cricklade Town and Highworth Town, is a young, imposing shot stopper who has demonstrated much quality during his time in the Hellenic League.

Braithwaite is delighted to have snapped up the trio, saying: “They are all players I have worked with before at Fairford and they are the type of talented, hard-working and dedicated players that I want to work with.

“I know talking with them that they will be at Bassett for the future and are looking forwards to being part of this season’s squad and also to the move into the new ground next season.”