Aldershot Town: The Rising Pheonix

Aldershot Town: The Rising Pheonix

Being in charge of my local clubs was a dream. Now it is a reality. The final day of last season, that loss on the final day, muat have really disheartened quite a few fans, as the threat of relegation still loomed.

Manager Andy Scott must have found it too much as well. Because he thought Aldershot were a goner, and would be playing thier football in the Skrill South next season, but he was wrong. They stayed, despite being deducted 10 points at the start of the season.

And now they were looking for a new manager.

Until they found me.

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I had always loved the tactical side of football as well as playing it. It was my life long dream to manage a football team. And the fact that it is this one, my local club, that gave me this opportunity. I can't thank them enough.

I am Thomas Allery. I was born in Farnham, just east of Aldershot, on the 6th of December, 1988. I studied at various schools in the local area, but it wasn't then that my education really counted. It was when I went up to Burton, to study at St. George's. And that is when I got my Continental Pro License with ease.

Despite supporting Chelsea, I also have a soft spot for my local club, that is loved by so many in the area, and I always wanted to start my road to the top with the Shots, and I always wanted to make them the Rising Pheonix.

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Aldershot is in Hampshire, South East England. It is the former home of the British Army, and is a town full of ex army places and people. It is on the border of Surrey, and is 60 kilometers southwest of the capital of the UK, London. It has a populatopn of just over 36,000.

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Aldershot Town FC was founded in 1992, after Aldershot FC folded after financial problems. They started life in the Isthmian League Division Three, working their way up the divisions, when in 2001, they reached the Conference, and in May 2007, they were promoted to the Football League, after finishing top of the Conference.

But in May 2013, they went into administration, which a take-over followed, and a lucrative partnership with English Giant Chelsea also occurred. They started the 2013/14 season with a 10 point deduction, but still managed to avoid relegation, a remarkable feat.

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Financial Troubles

My first day in the job, and I have some bad news waiting for me. I thought that the financial mess that the club was in had gone, since the takeover. But I seem to be wrong.

I had an email from the Football Conference. It said that the club would be starting the season with another 10 point deduction for a poor financial state.

When I attended the interview with the owner, Shahid Azeem, he assured me that the financial state was good. I checked the the club's details, and it said that there were no financial problems or risk of going into adminstration, so I guess the Football Conference was very, very wrong.

Hopefully, Chelsea can help us out...

Aldershot Announce Four Signings

As manager of Aldershot, I am pleased to announce four signings. Three signings are full season loans and the other is a free transfer.

Signing One: Dean Santangelo


Santangelo is a 19 year old Iranian keeper, and looks to be a future star. Having started his career with one of our closest rivals, Reading, he then moved to Germany with Ausburg, making one appearance for their B team. He then spent a season at Manchester United, and they released him, and we have definitely done well to bring him in. We need a young keeper, and he looks like he could carry the club for years. He is on quite high wages, which could be a problem, as our financial state is not very good. But I think he will turn into a star, and if he doesn't stay at the club, we will get a good fee for him.

Signing Two: Lewis Baker


Baker is the first of three players to join us from Chelsea on a season long loan. I am very pleased as to get a player that has enough quality to play a few games for their first team to join us is great. He will feature regularly in our first team, and hopefully will continue the happy memories he created last year when he was playing for Chelsea at the ESS Stadium.

Signing Three: Thorgan Hazard


Yes, it is that Hazard. Well, not quite, it's Eden Hazard's brother. The capped 20 year old has also joined on a season long loan from Chelsea. Having impressed last season on loan in Belguim, he was thought to have played a first team role this season. And that is why I am very happy to have him here in Aldershot. He is already a great number 10, and I hope he can be key for up this season, and preform like his brother.

Signing Four: John Swift


Another midfielder that has joined from Chelsea on a season long loan. The 18 year old hopefully can dominate the midfield for us, and score a few good goals aswell, as his finishing and composure is very good. Like Baker, hopefully, he can build on his good memories at the ESS.

Overall:

I am very happy with these signings. They all are great talents and very good players for this level, and I hope they can provide the Shots fans with some great memories, but still a few more signings, if the club can afford it, are needed

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Financial Situation Drastically Improves

A statement from Aldershot manager Thomas Allery:

Today I can announce that the finances of the football club have improved massively.
This is such a great thing, as the owner has promised me the money he said we would give me, and this allows me to make some great signings.

The club is now in a position of that the club can afford big money deals, into the 200k region, which is a big fee for a club in non-professional football.

The club will build and I and Shahid Azeem promise that we spend the money wisely and not let the club fall into a poor financial state while him and I are leading the club