Aldershot Town

Shots young trio given new deals
Aldershot have handed new deals to promising youngsters Kirk Hudson, Ryan Scott and Dave Winfield. Striker Hudson, 20, has signed for another year after featuring in half of Aldershot's Conference games this term. Midfielder Scott, 20, has made 79 first-team appearances, while defender Winfield, 18, has featured in 21 Conference games this season. Boss Martin Kuhl said: "This is what the club needs to be doing, it's a far better way to sign players."

Caretaker Kuhl on Shots shortlist
Aldershot Town caretaker boss Martin Kuhl is on the shortlist of candidates to be interviewed for the vacant manager's job at the Recreation Ground. He stepped up from first-team coach to take temporary charge after Terry Brown ended his five-year spell as manager at the end of March. Kuhl is among a number of people who will be interviewed this week. Keith Alexander, Graham Westley and Frank Gray have all been reported to be among the candidates for the job. Alexander was previously in charge of Lincoln and Peterborough, while former Farnborough boss Gray is one of four men to have managed Conference side Grays this season. Ex-Rushden and Stevenage boss Westley admitted his interest in the position in March.

Gayle is among Shots departures
Managerless Aldershot have released veteran forward Marcus Gayle, along with Phil Anderson, Karl Beckford, Andy Edwards and Mark Pritchard. Mark Molesley, Ricky Newman and Ryan Williams have been offered one-year contracts at the Recreation Ground. But Darren Barnard and Louis Wells must wait for the new manager's arrival before their future is determined. However, Nikki Bull, Rhys Day, Jonny Dixon, John Grant, Dean Smith and Louie Soares will all be back next season. Kirk Hudson, Ryan Scott and Dave Winfield also recently signed new deals with the Shots.

Waddock keen to take Shots chance
Gary Waddock is determined to make the most of his return to management with Conference club Aldershot. "It's a really great opportunity for me," said the former QPR manager, who has been installed as Shots boss on a two-year contract. "It's a good, well-run club with potential and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. "I learnt an awful lot during my time at QPR both as a coach and a manager, and I want to put that to good use." Waddock was a hugely popular player at QPR and joined the club's coaching staff when his playing career ended. He was given the manager's job after Ian Holloway was axed, but his time in charge was blighted by poor results and behind-the-scenes problems. He was replaced by John Gregory just eight games into the season, with Rangers bottom of the table. "I won't ever hear a bad word said about QPR," Waddock insisted. "It's my club and they gave me the opportunity to start my coaching career and then a wonderful opportunity to be the manager. "Things didn't work out as I wanted them to. Now it's a case of learning from that and moving on." Waddock has shown he can bounce back from major setacks, having rebuilt a playing career that seemed to have been ended by injury. Now the former Republic of Ireland midfielder is aiming to prove he can succeed in management. "I've definitely had setbacks as both a player and a manager," he said. "That gives you experiences to draw on as you try to improve yourself. "I've got a burning desire to succeed as a manager - just like I had when I was a player - and I'm looking forward to this new challenge."

Aldershot release veteran Barnard
Former Wales international Darren Barnard has left Aldershot Town. The 35-year-old defender has not had his contract renewed by new Shots boss Gary Waddock and ends a three-year stay with the Conference club. Barnard joined the Shots from Grimsby Town following earlier spells with Barnsley, Bristol City, Reading and Chelsea. He started 99 Conference games for Aldershot, with many of his 19 goals coming from his trademark set-pieces.

Aldershot pair sign new contracts
Ricky Newman and Ryan Williams have signed new contracts with Aldershot. Both players have agreed 12-month deals to confirm their place in new manager Gary Waddock's squad for next season. Midfielder Newman, 36, and winger Williams, 28, joined the club last summer after Williams had a previous loan spell. Waddock has also given a 12-month contract to 18-year-old striker Danny Hylton, who broke into the first time this season.

Grant delighted with team-mates
Striker John Grant hailed the performances of the players around him after he helped Aldershot to a 3-2 victory over Forest Green on Tuesday. "My goals were through two great balls from Louie Soares. You always know that Louie and Ryan Williams will put a great ball in," said Grant. "They can whip some great deliveries in and it's all about getting into the right positions to get onto it. "This was a tremendous performance," He told Aldershot's website.

Aldershot re-sign striker Grant
Aldershot have brought former striker Joel Grant back to the club for a second spell, reports SSB. Grant, 20, joined the Shots from Watford last season on loan and has re-signed on non-contract forms. Manager Gary Waddock told Aldershot's website: "Joel has been training with us and has impressed me. "He is a good addition to the squad and another player that we have who possesses quality."

Waddock praises players after win
Aldershot boss Gary Waddock heaped praise on his players following their 3-2 victory at Oxford. John Grant's brace put Waddock's team in command and after Oxford hit back to level at 2-2, Lewis Chambers grabbed a late winner for the Shots. Waddock said: "I'm pleased for the players and the staff. It was an all-round effort. "I said to the lads they had to show composure - and John Grant showed that for his penalty and his other goal."

Shots squad is strong - Waddock
Aldershot boss Gary Waddock paid tribute to the depth of his table-topping squad after their 2-1 home victory over Rushden & Diamonds. "We had a few players out before the game like Louis Soares and Rob Elvins," he said. "But that doesn't bother us." "It's about the squad and the players in the squad are all good enough, that's why they are here." Goals from John Grant and Ben Harding put Aldershot two-up before Simeon Jackson gave Rushden a glimmer of hope.

Aldershot hand duo new contracts
Aldershot have handed new contracts for the rest of the season to striker Joel Grant and defender Nathan Koo-Boothe. Grant, 20, a former Watford youth product who can also play on the wing, had been on a short-term deal this season after a loan spell last term. Former MK Dons man Koo-Boothe, 22, had been playing for the Shots reserves to try and earn a deal in recent weeks. Boss Gary Waddock said: "Nathan will strengthen us and Joel has quality and has done well since he's been here."

Waddock not afraid of pressure
Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has backed his young side to rise to the increasing pressure of the title race. Saturday's home defeat by Forest Green saw their lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier reduced to six points. Stevenage Borough and Torquay United are now just two wins behind them, each with a game in hand. Waddock told SSB: "The side have got us this far, and deserve the chance to finish the job. It's not good on the nerves, but that's the way it is." Waddock also rejected the suggestion that the team needs a new centre-half. "Five months now, we've been playing here and we got some extremely good results. We're not relegated now, we're not promoted now. We just need to go on and get another three points." Left-back Antony Straker admits the club are aware of the closing pack. "When you're at the top you've got to keep your sights on where you want to be, and not worry about who's behind you. If you keep collecting your points, you'll get there." Straker is enjoying the tough task of replacing club captain Darren Barnard. "I'm really enjoying it. The crowd get behind you. They have their moans and groans when we're not doing well but they're fine when we're flying."

Shots duo earn international call
Aldershot duo Louie Soares and Anthony Straker have been called up by Barbados for a World Cup qualifier next month. Winger Soares, 23, and defender Straker, 19, have been included in the squad to face Dominica on 6 February. They will miss the Setanta Shield tie against St Albans City and possibly a league fixture against Farsley Celtic. "It is good for their development and I'd never stand in any player's way for international football," boss Gary Waddock told the Shots website.

Aldershot hope to stop the losing streak
Aldershot manager Gary Waddock is looking to end a worrying run of two straight defeats with victory at home to Oxford United on Tuesday night. The Shots' lead at the top of the Blue Square Premier is down to three points after Monday night's victory for Torquay United against Histon. And Waddock told SSB: "We need to get back to winning matches as soon as possible. "We'll remain positive. We are still in a good position and still confident."

Still tells Shots to hold nerve
Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still has described Aldershot as "terrific" as they close in on promotion back to the Football League. His side went up as Conference champions last season with 28 wins and 95 points. Aldershot have already won 26 games amassing 80 points. Still told SSB: "You have to make sure you hold your nerve, and don't get complacent. "That's what we did, and they've proven they have what it takes." Still also said it was important to stick to what they had been doing all season. "We felt we had a successful formula, and didn't think we needed to change that," he added. "Avoiding problems with injuries and suspensions also aided the situation. It's theirs to lose now. "If you make all your players aware that what you've done all season is good enough, that will see you through." Aldershot manager Gary Waddock has said it is only ever about the next game and Still agreed. "We always said, don't worry about other teams," explained Still. "We were 12 points behind Oxford at one stage, but we said we can't affect Oxford. "We just focused on the next game, the next game, and before you know it the next game is the one that means you can't be caught." Ironically, Dagenham & Redbridge finally clinched the title against Aldershot at Stonebridge Road. Still says Aldershot have shown great character this season and said: "They've indicated for years now that their day would come, and to see us win it in front of them may have stayed in some of their minds and helped them." Dagenham & Redbridge are currently lower mid-table in League Two, almost clear of any relegation threat. Still thinks Aldershot might fare even better if they secure promotion. "With all due respect to us, Aldershot are a much bigger club," he added. "Maybe not the people there, but they are capable of good support, and that will help generate much needed finance to help them support a Football League team."

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