Some footballers have favourite boots, even shin pads, that they never leave home without on match day.

In Jarazinho Bassett’s case it is his lucky socks, holes and all, that he never plays without.

It seems to have been working, with the Southampton Rangers striker reaching the 20-goal mark after bagging a brace in the 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend.

“I’ve been superstitious since I was a little kid playing football, wearing certain pieces of clothing,” said Bassett, who joined Rangers from St George’s last summer.

“I wrote a message in my shin pads to my daddy [former Rangers player Donald Hall], who passed away in 2015, and that’s one of the superstitions I do have as far as my socks. My dad is the reason why I am playing for Rangers; that’s where he’s from.”

Bassett added: “As far as the socks go, it was first to identify my socks in the batch of socks and then they became my lucky ones. As I started to progress through the season and scored more goals, I realised how important they were to me. Now I can’t play a game without them.

“It started at the beginning of the season and became a hit. As soon as I get to the field my team-mates ask me, ‘You got your socks?’.

“I actually put some holes in them because they were tight when they were brand new, just to loosen the tightness. I think I’ll be wearing them next season, too. Holes bring goals!

Fittingly, Rangers’ final game is against the other promoted side, Somerset Eagles, in a match that will decide who finishes in first place.

“It’s a title decider, I’ll definitely have them on that day too,” Bassett said.

Bassett, 28, has his sights set on finishing as the First Division’s top scorer and leads Leo Burgess, of Somerset Eagles, by three goals.

Bassett also wants to match the goal tally of former St George’s team-mate, Donavan Thompson, who has 22 goals in his first season with Premier Division side X-Roads.

Certainly St George’s have missed Bassett and Thompson’s goals this season, managing just 26 goals in 19 league games, with only bottom teams Vasco da Gama and Ireland Rangers scoring fewer goals.

Last season Rangers finished unbeaten but missed out on promotion. This term, Bassett’s goals have helped them secure promotion at the second attempt.

“I actually transferred from St George’s to Rangers to get promoted,” said Bassett, who hails from St George’s. “I wanted to win the league and also wanted to test myself as far as my goalscoring exploits.

“I’m good friends with Donavan, we both left St George’s last year. We have a personal battle going on right now; he’s got 22 goals and I’ve got 20, so I’ll be looking for those two goals next Sunday. It would be nice to pip him even though he is in a higher division than me.”

Bassett has no complaints about the way his season has gone with Rangers who won the Shield this season.

“Everything is going according to plan, we’ve been promoted, so the final thing on the agenda is the title on the last day of the season,” he said. “We’re going 100 per cent for that.

“I’m from St George’s and I’m still embedded in the community, although I don’t live down there any more. My family is still there, but I also have strong family ties at Rangers.

“My father’s homestead; you can see from the field. All my aunties, uncles and cousins are all there watching me on Sundays. It helps that the colours are also blue!

“No regrets, it was bittersweet scoring against St George’s and beating them, but it’s all part of the business.

“It’s been a standout year for me, one of the best seasons I’ve had in my career. It all boils down to my team-mates who have supported me 100 per cent this year.

“They have accepted me with open arms and as you can see we have had the success on the pitch.”

n Last week’s postponed First Division match between Young Men’s Social Club and Flanagan’s Onions has been rescheduled for Monday at Goose Gosling Field starting at 9pm.