Local Boys Done Good
On April 18, 2008 by Administrator
I think it’s appropriate for an Aldershot based company to open up its football blog with a story about the local club. On Tuesday night Aldershot Town returned to the Football League just sixteen years after Aldershot FC had folded.
They dominated the Blue Square Premier all season long and have been atop on the pile since early October. Promotion seemed to be more of a ‘when’ not ‘if’ question and so it was as a Scott Donnelly strike was enough to earn the all important point for the shots. 898 travelling fans joined in the celebrations down at St. James’ Park and hundreds more at bars throughout the town and across the country on Setanta Sports.
I saw the finale, including a poorly timed attempt by the touchline reporter to interview Aldershot manager Gary Waddock deep in injury time, seriously, that was never going to work. I also saw and heard several fans chanting Aldershot songs walking down the road whilst I was trying to get to sleep.
The club can now build for an exciting future back in the Football League. With large crowds already adorning the Recreation Ground, they have the scope to make a serious impact on the league. With a big catchment area being between London, Reading & Southampton, the club can attract new fans with this recent success.
Those locals who aren’t big fans are traditionally fans of the big London clubs or Portsmouth, despite the town being nearer to other places with league clubs. These are the fans that the club will be hoping to pick up; a lot of people are getting disillusioned with the prices of top flight tickets and the chance to support a local league club will tempt people in.
Finally just a big congratulations to the club; from chairman down through the manager, the players and the fans. I have enjoyed my few trips to the Rec this season and no doubt will be popping down on occasions next season. Already next Tuesday’s home game with Weymouth is selling out fast, so if you want to celebrate the clubs success then get tickets now!
