Former Pompey academy midfielder Scutt joins Baffins – and Tierney is also on his way back after short spell with Horndean

Tommy Scutt, right, in action for Baffins Milton against Portchester earlier this year. Picture: Vernon Nash

They have signed ex-Pompey academy midfielder Tommy Scutt from Bognor Regis Town and are welcoming back Tommy Tierney after a short stint with Horndean.

Scutt was dual registered with Baffins last season, making nine Wessex Premier Division appearances and scoring two goals. He also made 15 appearances for Bognor, but has now joined Baffins permanently.

Tierney had left The PMC Stadium earlier this summer to join divisional rivals Horndean. But he contacted Rovers boss Shaun Wilkinson to ask if he could return - and Horndean have waived the seven days notice of approach.

Tommy Tierney, left, is returning to Baffins after a short spell with Horndean. Picture: Vernon Nash

Wilkinson said: ‘Tommy is an attacking midfielder, he’s got a lovely eye for goal - he’s got great feet, great awareness.

‘We’ll be looking to him to get forward and support the strikers.’

Scutt joined Bognor in 2017 after being released by Pompey, and Wilkinson added: ‘I know Jack Pearce at Bognor rated him highly.

‘But Tommy’s had some niggling injuries, he’s another one who has perhaps fallen out of love with football.

‘Hopefully he’s seen this is a good environment for him, we’ve got a decent playing surface, some good coaches .. there’s a pathway for him to get back to where he should be.’

Scutt is certainly capable of providing goals from midfielder – witness his hat-trick for Bognor in an Isthmian League Premier game in October 2018 against Burgess Hill after coming on as a sub.

Wilkinson was also delighted to welcome Tierney back after the latter scored nine league and cup goals in just 18 appearances for Baffins in 2019/20 - a haul which made him the club’s leading marksman.

‘He’s a free spirit, a bit of a maverick,’ said the boss. ‘But Tommy has great technical ability, he can be a big player for us.’

Tierney could be in line to figure in Tuesday’s opening friendly at Hampshire Premier Leaguers Fleetlands (6.30pm).

Wilkinson has around 30 players signed on, but will take a squad of 19 to Lederle Lane. Anyone who doesn’t travel will get minutes in the second friendly against Hayling United at Front Lawn next Saturday.

Striker Matt Andrews - who was Fleetlands’ top scorer with 25 goals last season - is definitely in the squad to face his former club.

Spectators can attend both the Fleetlands and Hayling friendlies, as both those clubs are at step 7 and therefore operating under different guidelines to Wessex League clubs.