Aldershot Town F.C.
File:Aldershot Crest.png
 Current season | |||
| Full name | Aldershot Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Shots | ||
| Founded | 1992 | ||
| Ground | Recreation Ground Aldershot | ||
| Capacity | 7500 | ||
| Chairman |  John McGinty | ||
| League | Conference National | ||
| 2006–07 | Conference National, 9th | ||
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Aldershot Town Football Club, based in Aldershot, England, was founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden fourth division club Aldershot Football Club, who had been founded in 1926 and had been league members since 1932.
They play at the Recreation Ground in Aldershot and are the current holders of the Setanta Shield (Conference League Cup) after beating Rushden and Diamonds 4-3 on penalties, on the 3rd April 2008.
History
Aldershot Town Is Formed
In March 1992 the town of Aldershot was without a football club after Aldershot F.C. became the first Football League team since Accrington Stanley, in 1962, to fold during the football season. Aldershot Town was born later the same year, and began life competing in the Isthmian League Division Three. Despite Aldershot Town playing five divisions lower than the Football League, the attendance for their first competitive fixture was higher than the old team's last home tie. Ten successive victories were recorded under the guidance of former player Steve Wignall and Town won the championship by 18 points,a feat made all the more remarkable by the fact that in May of 1992 the manager had just one player on his books. A further promotion and an FA Vase Quarter Final placing was achieved in the 1993-94 season. When Steve Wignall departed to take charge of Colchester United mid way through the 1994-95 season, former Nottingham Forest winger Steve Wigley took over. Despite steering the club to six successive victories at the end of the 1994-95 season only goal difference prevented a third successive promotion. After narrowly missing out during the next two seasons Wigley left to become Youth Development Officer at Nottingham Forest in July 1997 to be replaced by George Borg. Attendances continued to rise during this period and the final fixture of the 1997-98 Isthmian League First Division championship-winning season, at home to Berkhamsted Town, attracted 4,289 people to the Rec. The success under Borg continued with a Ryman League Cup, two Hampshire Senior Cups and a runners-up spot in the Ryman League Premier Division.
The Reserves returned in 2000-01 and entered the Suburban League. The FA Cup in 2000-01 saw Aldershot take on league opposition at The Rec for the first time since reforming, when Brighton visited for a 1st Round tie in November and a record attendance of 7,500 were there to see the game covered by Match of the Day. However it was the league side who progressed to meet Scunthorpe United in round two.
Season 2001/02
Borg signed a number of experienced Ryman League players in the summer of 2001 as the club aimed for promotion to the Conference encouraged by some excellent pre season performances. In the FA Cup, Bristol Rovers were the next League opposition to visit The Rec, again in the 1st Round. In front of over 5,000 at The Rec, the Shots secured a replay in a game they should have won at the death, and only exited the competition when Vitalijs Astafjevs' 87th minute goal took the League side into the 2nd Round, with a 1-0 win in Bristol.
In November 2001 after Borg was critical of supporters whose patience was wearing thin, came a shock defeat at home to Boreham Wood. When Canvey Island overhauled a 1-0 Shots lead and won 3-1 just weeks later, the supporters put huge pressure on Borg and the club to end his tenure as manager. In little over a month, George Borg, the most successful manager the club had yet seen, left Aldershot Town.
Arrival of Terry Brown
On 20 March 2002 - 10 years to the day since Aldershot F.C. played its last ever league fixture - Aldershot Town F.C. appointed Terry Brown as its fourth manager. He won his first game in charge beating Newport IOW 1-0 in the Hampshire Senior Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg. A 3-0 aggregate win saw them progress to the final at Southampton's St Mary's where a Stafford Browne hat-trick secured the Hampshire Senior Cup again with a 3-1 win over Havant & Waterlooville.
During the summer of 2002, Brown set about transforming Aldershot Town. Eleven first team players were moved on, and 11 replacements brought in, many former Football League or Conference players. After a few setbacks and injuries to key players, he steered Aldershot to the top of the table in mid November. The Shots never relinquished that position despite Canvey Island trying to close the gap. In April 2003 over 2400 Shots fans made the journey to Canvey Island for what was billed as the title decider. A Roscoe D'Sane penalty secured a 1-0 win.
Six days later, after a 5-1 demolition of St Albans City, the Shots travelled to Sutton United needing just one point for the championship. Another D'Sane goal secured a 1-1 draw and the Shots won promotion to the Conference at the fifth time of asking. The last game of the season saw 3000 Shots fans head once again to St Mary's as the Shots retained the Hampshire Senior Cup with a 2-1 win over Bashley.
Life In Conference
3,680 fans saw Aldershot's first game in the Conference, a 2-1 over Accrington Stanley. But it was just as taste of things to come as the still part-time side constructed by Terry Brown went on to stay in the play-off positions in the league table for all but 3 days of the season, surrounded by full-time professional former football league sides. The Shots equalled their best ever run in the FA Cup, reaching the 2nd Round and losing 1-0 to Colchester United at Layer Road in a hard fought encounter. And there were more club records tumbling as the side also reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy, losing to eventual winners Hednesford Town and the average attendance for league matches at The Rec ended on a record high of 3,303.
A 1-1 draw against Tamworth on the last day of the season carried the Shots into the play-offs for a place in the Football League. Over two legs the Shots held their own against favourites Hereford United, drawing 1-1 at The Rec and 0-0 at Edgar Street. Extra time finished without any further score and the tie was concluded on penalties with the Shots winning 4-2. The Conference Playoff Final against Shrewsbury Town finished 1-1 after extra time. Shrewsbury returned to the league with a 3-0 win in the penalty shoot-out.
Professional Status Achieved
A meeting on 24 May 2004 saw the club officers take the historic decision to convert Aldershot Town to full-time professional status from 1 July 2004. For the first time since March 1992 the town of Aldershot had a professional football team.
In 2004-05 the Shots once again equalled their best ever run in the FA Cup as they reached the 2nd Round proper, where they lost 5-1 to Hartlepool United. After a slow start in the league, Aldershot showed some fine form in the run-in. In their final game of the season they needed to beat Scarborough to reach the play-offs. In front of nearly 4,500 Tim Sills was the hero as his brace ensured Exeter City and Morecambe with their superior goal differences could not qualify.
The Shots faced Carlisle United but there was no repeat of the 5-0 home Conference humiliation at the hands of the Cumbrians, as Nick Crittenden's goal saw Aldershot take a 1-0 first leg advantage to Brunton Park. Before half time Carlisle had overturned Aldershot's lead to hold the advantage 2-1 on aggregate, before loanee Jamie Slabber levelled in stoppage time. Extra time could not separate the sides and the tie went to penalties. At one point the Shots were 3-1 up, but the shoot-out went to sudden death. Jon Challinor missed his effort and Danny Livesey sent Carlisle into the final.
Seasons 2005/06 & 2006/07
The next two seasons were disappointing ones for the Shots. 2005-06 saw Aldershot's team ravaged by injuries, and they struggled to 13th in the table, with a goal difference of -13, 13 years after the end of the new club's first season. The team made it to the 2nd round of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Scunthorpe United F.C.. The next season was equally disappointing, with the side never really getting close enough to the aim of finishing in the playoff positions. The club eventually made it to 9th in the reformed 24 club Conference National, finishing 13 points off the playoffs. Terry Brown resigned, citing the poor health of his wife as the primary reason, although his position may have been untenable with regards to the season's performance. Martin Kuhl took over as caretaker manager. They made it to the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time, though, losing 4-2 at Bloomfield Road to Blackpool F.C.
Arrival of Gary Waddock & Season 2007/08
On the 17th May 2007, Gary Waddock was appointed the new manager by the board of directors, with Martin Kuhl reverting to his coaching position. He appointed Rhys Day as club captain, whose brother Ryan Day, is a Welsh professional snooker player.
The summer period saw the new manager bring in several new players to the Recreation Ground. These included: Lewis Chalmers, Scott Davies (On loan from Reading), Rob Elvins, Ben Harding, Anthony Charles, Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz and Anthony Straker. Reserve team player, Jason Milleti also signed a profressional contract.
Aldershot Town's fifth consecutive season in the Conference started with an away trip to Kidderminster Harriers. The Shots won 2-1 with the first goal scored by Reading loanee Scott Davies after seven seconds of the restart. The next game was versus Torquay United and Aldershot were beaten 3-0 with the first goal scored by former Aldershot Town player Tim Sills. This was followed by a 3-1 victory against newly promoted Droylsden FC at Home. The next match was away from home, against another newly promoted side - this being Histon FC. Aldershot Town won 2-1.
A home defeat against Crawley Town, was then followed by a run of 8 games undefeated, before finally losing away to Stevenage Borough on the 6th October, where they lost 3-1. Not only did this game end the unbeaten run but it was also the first away defeat of the season. Only one week later on the 13th October they lost away again to Burton Albion. However after this defeat the Shots regrouped and then went on a winning run of seven league games, which finally ended on the 29th December at Grays Athletic, where they went down 2-1, after playing two/thirds of the game with 10 men.
The Shots bounced back with league wins over Woking and Northwich Victoria. The Northwich Victoria victory meant that the Shots had won 9 out of the last 10 league games. The Shots then went on to lose their next 2 league games against Forest Green Rovers and York City, before victory over Oxford United.
The next day on the 30th January, Aldershot Town lost striker Jonny Dixon, who signed for Brighton and Hove Albion for £56,000, which is a club record.
The Oxford United victory was the start of a seven game undefeated run in the league, with wins over Farsley Celtic, Stevenage Borough, Kidderminster Harriers, Torquay United, Histon and the first home draw of the season, against Cambridge United. After 40 league games, the Shots currently sit top of the Conference National on *93 points and they have a 17 point advantage over Torquay (*As of the 5th April 2008).
In the cup competitions Aldershot Town were knocked out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat away to Cambridge United in mid November. The Shots also lost to Ebbsfleet United 4-2 on aggregate in the two legged Semi-Final of the FA Trophy. The Shots made it to the Setanta Shield Final after a 4-3 penalty shoot out victory over near neighbours Woking. The Final was played at the Recreation Ground on Thursday 3rd April against Rushden and Diamonds, with the scores 1-1 at full time, then 3-3 after extra time, Aldershot won 4-3 on Penalties.[1]. It was Gary Waddock's first piece of silverware since taking over as boss.
Stadium
Aldershot Town play their home games at the Recreation Ground. It has a capacity of 7,500.
Current Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Managers
| Name | Nat | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Wignall |
|
23rd May 1992 | 12th January 1995 |
| Steve Wigley |
|
26th January 1995 | 30th July 1997 |
| George Borg |
|
18th September 1997 | 31st January 2002 |
| Terry Brown |
|
20th March 2002 | 27th March 2007 |
| Gary Waddock |
|
17th May 2007 | To date |
Transfer records
Record Purchase
Record Sale
- Jonny Dixon to Brighton & Hove Albion for £56,000 January 2008.[2]
Club records
Best League Positions
- Best Isthmian League Third Division position: 1st in 1992-93. Promoted to Isthmian League Second Division.
- Best Isthmian League Second Division position: 3rd in 1993-94. Promoted to Isthmian League First Division.
- Best Isthmian League First Division position: 1st in 1997-98. Promoted to Isthmian League Premier Division.
- Best Isthmian League Premier Division position: 1st in 2002-03. Promoted to Conference National.
- Best Conference National League position: 4th in 2004-05
Best Cup Results
- Best FA Cup performance: 3rd round, 2006-2007, 2nd round, 1999-2000, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06
- Best FA Trophy performance: Semi-Final, 2003-04, 2007-08
- Best FA Vase performance: Quarter Final, 1993-94
- Best Conference League Cup performance: Winners, 2007-08
- Best Hampshire Senior Cup performance: Winners, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2006-07
Rivals
Aldershot Town's main rivals are considered currently to be Woking.
Notable players
Jason Chewins holds the record for the most number of appearances for the club, playing 489 times between August 1994 and May 2004. This led to the left-back being the first and, to date, only player to receive a testimonial which was played against Portsmouth in July 2004.
Before Chewins, the record was held by Mark Butler, who joined the club at its inception in 1992. Butler played 303 times between August 1992 and May 1998, also holding the all-time goal scoring record by netting 155 times, a record he still currently holds.
Three other have played more than 200 times for the club, Stuart Udal, whose brother Shaun was an England international cricketer, played 236 times for the club. Current goalkeeper Nikki Bull and the eccentric winger Jimmy Sugrue have also passed the land mark.
Gary Abbott is, apart from Butler, the only Shots player to have ever scored over 100 goals for the club. Over the course of three seasons, between August 1998 and May 2001, he scored 120 goals.
Season-by-season record
| Season | Division | Position | Significant Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aldershot Town formed and placed into Isthmian League Third Division | |||
| 1992-93 | Isthmian League Third Division | 1 | Promoted as Champions |
| 1993-94 | Isthmian League Second Division | 3 | Promoted, FA Vase Quarter-Final |
| 1994-95 | Isthmian League First Division | 4 | FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round |
| 1995-96 | Isthmian League First Division | 5 | FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round |
| 1996-97 | Isthmian League First Division | 7 | FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round, FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round |
| 1997-98 | Isthmian League First Division | 1 | Promoted as Champions, FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round |
| 1998-99 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 7 | FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, FA Trophy 4th Round, Hampshire Senior Cup Winners |
| 1999-00 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 2 | FA Cup 2nd Round, FA Trophy 4th Round, Hampshire Senior Cup Winners |
| 2000-01 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 4 | FA Cup 1st Round, FA Trophy 3rd Round |
| 2001-02 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 3 | FA Cup 1st Round, FA Trophy 3rd Round, Hampshire Senior Cup Winners |
| 2002-03 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 1 | Promoted as Champions, FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Hampshire Senior Cup Winners |
| 2003-04 | Football Conference | 5 | FA Cup 2nd Round, FA Trophy Semi-Final, Conference Play Off Final |
| 2004-05 | Conference National | 4 | FA Cup 2nd Round, Conference Play Off Semi-Final |
| 2005-06 | Conference National | 13 | FA Cup 2nd Round |
| 2006-07 | Conference National | 9 | FA Cup 3rd Round, Hampshire Senior Cup Winners |
| 2007-08 | Conference National | - | FA Cup 1st Round, FA Trophy Semi-Final, Conference League Cup Winners |
References
- ^ "Aldershot Town win Setanta Shield". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Brighton sign Aldershot striker". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2008.
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Source
- Aldershot Town at the Football Club History Database