Reece Rusher

**Last statistical update: 23:59, 26 April 2023 (UTC)**

**Reece James Rusher** is a footballer who played for **Hashtag United** (men).

Rusher was signed by Southampton's academy at the age of 6, going on to feature in their youth ranks alongside the likes of James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett. He was released a day before his 14th birthday.

Winchester City
At the age of 16, off a spell with Andover New Street's academy, Rusher headed off to Winchester City. He was promoted into their first-team squad during the 2013–14 season, debuting off the bench on 25 February 2014 in a two-goal victory at home to Downton in the Wessex League - Premier Division. *The Citizens* would conclude the campaign in 5th, as the midfielder featured 5 further times for the club - all of which as a substitute. Alongside those numbers, Rusher also netted 4 goals in 4 games in the Hampshire Combination & Development League.

Bemerton Heath
In the early moments of the 2014–15 campaign, Rusher switched over to fellow Wessex League - Premier Division side Bemerton Heath. His debut arrived as a starter on 27 September 2014 as *Harlequins* lost on the road to Bournemouth. The midfielder scored his first goal for them in a 27 January 2015 defeat to Pewsey Vale in the Salisbury Hospital Cup. His second goal, and first in the league, came on the final day of the season as they beat Bournemouth 6–1 at Moon Park. Across that campaign, Rusher also appeared at youth level in the Hampshire Combination & Development League.

Whitchurch United
Rusher began the 2015–16 Wessex League - Premier Division with Whitchurch United. He was substituted on for his bow on 8 August 2015 at home to Lymington Town, prior to appearing from the beginning for the first time next time out as *The Jam Boys* won away at eventual champions Salisbury - who the midfielder would go on to sign for midway through the season. Prior to that, Rusher made 16 appearances and netted 2 goals - both in October, versus Bournemouth on 3 October in the FA Vase and against AFC Portchester on 20 October in the league.

Salisbury
From March 2016, Rusher would feature for Salisbury in the Wessex League - Premier Division to finish 2015–16. His debut occurred on 22 March in an away win at Alresford Town as he was subbed on. He would make a total of 5 appearances, including his sole start on 16 April versus Brockenhurst, as *The Whites* won promotion as champions with a 105 overall point tally. Elsewhere, Rusher scored 8 goals in 11 matches for their devs side in the Hampshire Combination & Development League.

Bemerton Heath (return)
Rusher made a return to Wessex League - Premier Division outfit Bemerton Heath in the early part of the 2016–17 campaign. His first appearance back saw him start a 24 September 2016 three-goal victory at home to Longwell Green Sports in the FA Vase second qualifying round. A week later, he came on as a sub in a road win at Moneyfields.

Andover Town
By November 2016, Rusher was attached to Andover Town. He made his Wessex League - Premier Division debut on 26 November in a 2–0 victory on home turf against Team Solent. At the end of January 2017, Rusher scored 3 goals in 2 matches after converting on 21 January versus Hamworthy United and claiming a brace on 28 January against Brockenhurst. 11 March saw the midfielder score another double in a 5–1 triumph over Cowes Sports, which preceded his 6th goal of the campaign for Andover in a last day victory at Alresford Town. Rusher doubled that tally in the subsequent 2017–18 season, having got it underway with an opening day strike in a 1 August 2017 win over ex-club Bemerton Heath.

Rusher made it 2 goals in 2 straight league fixtures to begin 2017–18 on 12 August 2017, as he scored in a victory over Sholing at home. He concluded the month with a brace over Newport on 26 August. Further goals followed against South Wonston Swifts (Andover Open Cup), Cowes Sports, Fareham Town, Baffins Milton Rovers, Bemerton Heath, Paulsgrove, Fareham Town (both Russell Cotes Cup) and Bashley as they placed 2nd - though were demoted due to off-field issues at the season's end.

Winchester City (return)
Ahead of the 2018–19 season, Rusher was revealed as a new signing by Winchester City - as he rejoined *The Citizens* as they now plied their trade in the Southern League - Division One South. He would net 1 goal, versus ex-club Salisbury, across 4 matches before departing on 16 November.

Melksham Town
On 16 November 2018, Southern League - Division One South team Melksham Town publicised the signing of Rusher. He would score 2 goals during his time at the club.

Andover New Street
At the backend of the 2018–19 campaign, Rusher headed back to the Wessex League - Premier Division with Andover New Street. After appearing for the opening occasion on 16 March 2019 at Christchurch, the midfielder scored twice next time out as they fell to a defeat at home to Brockenhurst on 23 March. He featured further that month versus Alresford Town and Bashley, which were his last showings of the season. During the succeeding 2019–20, Rusher converted twice - against New Milton Town and Bemerton Heath - across 5 fixtures in a campaign that was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic; having not appeared until January 2020.

Basingstoke Town
Having started featuring for Andover New Street in the months prior, Rusher concurrently appeared for Southern League - Premier Division South side Basingstoke Town - notably on 22 April 2019 as *The 'Stoke* lost 2–1 on the road at Farnborough; participating for 55 minutes until being replaced by Harry Pearse. He would remain with the club into 2019–20, taking part in 17 fixtures and scoring in one with Barnstaple Town before leaving prior to the subsequent festive period.

Winchester City (return)
On 5 August 2020, Rusher rejoined Winchester City in the Southern League - Division One South. He would add 2 appearances to his name at senior level, as well as 2 at under-23 level (alongside a goal), before further COVID-19 pandemic interference.

### HTU

2021–22
On 24 July 2021, Rusher started for Jay Devereux's HTU in a pre-season friendly at the Winklebury Football Complex against former club Basingstoke Town - *The Tags* would suffer a 2–1 loss, with the club later noting his appearance as a "special guest".

### Post-HTU

Andover New Street (return)
Rusher moved back to Andover New Street for the rest of the 2021–22 campaign. Having debuted on 24 August 2021 at Moneyfields, the midfielder netted his opener for them 3 appearances later as they put 5 unanswered goals past East Cowes Victoria Athletic in Wessex League - Division One on home turf. That was followed by further strikes against Petersfield Town, Folland Sports, Millbrook, Andover Town and Romsey Town across mid-September and mid-November. On 23 November, Rusher scored a brace in a 23 November 8–1 home thrashing of Totton & Eling. His next goal arrived to open 2022, as he converted in a 3–3 draw at home to Laverstock & Ford on 18 January. On 5 February, Rusher netted 5 goals in a 7–1 road win at Millbrook.

Rusher concluded 2021–22 with doubles against Ash United (on 8 February) and Downton (on 5 April), as well as a further singular strike versus Ash United on 9 April, to end up on 19 goals in 38 total matches as the club finished 2nd; losing in the promotion play-off semi-final to Laverstock & Ford.

Bemerton Heath (return)
A 3rd spell back with Bemerton Heath of the Wessex League - Premier Division occurred for 2022–23. He scored 4 goals in his first 3 appearances, sandwiching a brace over Christchurch on 13 August 2022 in between strikes over Blackfield & Langley (on 2 August) and Hamble Club (on 20 August). In September, Rusher netted in 4 consecutive matches by converting versus Moneyfields, Brockenhurst, AFC Stoneham and Fleetlands. Rusher scored 4 times in their 8 October 8–0 victory over Bournemouth, prior to notching further that month against Fareham Town (on 15 October) and Alresford Town (on 29 October). The midfielder netted twice in November versus Horndean and Swindon Supermarine, which preceded his last goal in his final match on 14 January against United Services Portsmouth.

Frome Town
On 19 January 2023, Rusher completed a move to Southern League - Division One South outfit Frome Town. He netted his first goal on 14 March during a league away victory with Wimborne Town.

## Personal Life

Rusher was a professional esports player via FIFA for 6 years prior to quiting, later noting "I don't enjoy the game anymore". He had notably represented Southampton - a team he played for on the pitch at academy level - in the ePremier League. Rusher supports Manchester United, though followed *The Saints* from a young age - and had a season ticket for 10 years.

## HTU Statistics

Breakdown

'*Other Cups' includes competitions like the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and friendly tournaments. See also: HTUwiki:DataIssues.*

Appearance (1)
Basingstoke Town  v  Hashtag United

## References

1. ↑ "Bemerton Heath Harlequins" .
2. ↑ "26 was one hell of a year. Time for chapter 27" , 2 April 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "BA11TV S2 Ep7: Reece Rusher" , 19 January 2023.
4. ↑ "FIFA pro Reece Rusher on juggling life as a semi-pro footballer: “I won’t stop playing until I die”" , 4 December 2019.
5. ↑ "Youth Football Results" , 14 October 2011.
6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 6.29 6.30 6.31 6.32 6.33 6.34 6.35 6.36 "Reece James Rusher player stats" .
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Reece James Rusher player stats" .
8. ↑ "Updated list of retained and new players for the 18/19 season" , 3 July 2018.
9. ↑ "Reece Rusher" .
10. ↑ "New signing- Reece Rusher" , 16 November 2018.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Reece Rusher" (archived) .
12. ↑ "Basingstoke Town - Appearances - Reece Rusher - 2018-2019" .
13. ↑ "Reece Rusher" .
14. ↑ "Good Morning! We are delighted to announce the signing of former @Basingstoke\_FC and @MELKSHAMTOWNFC winger @RRusher7" , 5 August 2020.
15. ↑ "Reece Rusher" .
16. ↑ "A deserved 2-1 win for our hosts who pulled in a quality crowd. As for us…what started as a huge squad is rapidly shrinking! Kudos to the boys who were able to step up for us today inc a debut for @HarryHaysom3 and a special guest appearance from @RRusher7" , 24 July 2021.
17. ↑ "Welcome Reece" , 19 January 2023.
18. ↑ "Reece Rusher" .
19. ↑ "Semi-pro to virtual pro: the former Southampton academy player who achieved his dream through FIFA 19" , 29 March 2019.