Davies returns to Baffins after prolific season in Sussex as Wilkinson continues his revamp of Rovers squad

The Portsmouth-based striker is among the latest signings made by new boss Shaun Wilkinson.

Davies was at the PMC Stadium in 2017/18 when Wilkinson was coaching at the club.

He netted four goals in 12 starts plus another 19 sub appearances, but struggled to make the same impression the following season under Steve Leigh.

He was limited to just nine appearances in 2018/19 - starting just three games and scoring three goals. During that campaign he was loaned out to US Portsmouth, where he netted once in four appearances.

But last season was a different story as Davies struck 19 times in 21 Southern Combination League Division 1 games for Selsey.

That league is the equivalent of Wessex Division 1 - one rung down from Baffins on the non-league ladder.

‘Max is a really good lad, he’s keen, he works hard,’ said Wilkinson.

‘Hopefully you will see a different player than when he was here last time - he’s got a lot of potential.’

Wilkinson has also signed on another Portsmouth-based player who ended 2019/20 playing alongside Davies for Selsey.

Midfielder James Cowan - who had a short spell at Gosport Borough towards the end of 2018/19 - contacted Wilkinson expressing an interest in joining after Davies had returned to the club.

Cowan spent two years at Oxford United but was released in February 2019 when the club decided they would not be offering him a professional deal.

He started last season with Airdrie in the Scottish League Division 1, playing five times, before returning to the south coast.

The 20-year-old only started the last four games of the season for Selsey, but scored five goals.

‘He’s got a good pedigree,’ said Wilkinson. ‘He’s fallen out of love with the game a bit, and it’s up to us to get him enjoying it again.

‘I’ve only seen him in one training session so far, but I was well impressed.’

Adam Brice - a 6 ft 4 utility player - is another new addition.

The player appeared at centre half and right back for Gosport under Alex Pike, and last season was at Farnborough in the Southern Premier League South - two levels above Baffins.

‘Adam should be playing a lot higher,’ declared Wilkinson. ‘If he can get himself fit, he will be a big signing for us.’

Wilkinson has now signed 10 new players since replacing Steve Leigh as boss.

He has also brought in Matt Andrews, Charlie Searle, Zak Sharp, Nathan Kirby, Charlie Cooper, Ruben French and Kurt Watts.

‘I’m still on the look-out for one or two,’ he said. ‘Then we’ll have pre-season and look to form a 19-20 man squad after that.

‘I’m looking for eight or nine pre-season games, the players will need to get their touch back, get their feel of the ball back.

‘The Baffins lads who were here last season haven’t played many games this year.’

That is true. Due to the wet weather leading to numerous home postponements, Rovers only played eight Wessex Premier games from November 23 through to mid-March.

The first pre-season friendly has been provisionally scheduled for Saturday, August 1, at home to Dorking Wanderers on Baffins’ newly-reseeded pitch.

That is a game which could see ex-Moneyfields and Hawks striker Alfie Rutherford make his Wanderers debut, alongside his former Bognor and Hawks strike partner Jason Prior.

Of course, the government will need to have relaxed the social distancing rules by then in order for the game to take place.

It also clashes with the provisional date for the National League South play-off final, in which Dorking could be taking part - potentially against Hawks.

Baffins also have agreements to play Hawks, US Portsmouth and Chichester City in friendlies once Boris Johnson gives the green light for games to restart.

The 2020/21 Wessex League season might not start until September, but it promises to be a fascinating affair once it does.

Wilkinson has made it clear he is aiming to take Baffins into the Southern League, while AFC Portchester will start favourites after adding half of last season’s Alresford side to an already strong squad.

‘It will be interesting,’ said Wilkinson. ‘Portchester have thrown the kitchen sink at it.

‘I’m told the team with the largest budget usually wins the Wessex League, so we will see.

‘We mean business, we’ll have a good side.’