Pic: Aldershot Town FC
GARY WADDOCK wants to get Aldershot Town “rocking again” after the club’s Conference winning manager returned as their new boss.
The 54-year-old left his role as assistant manager at League Two side Barnet to return to the EBB Stadium, on a rolling contract, where he previously managed from May 2007 to October 2009.
During that time, he led the club to the old Conference League Cup before securing the club’s promotion to the Football League with a then-record 101 points.
He helped stabilise the Shots in League Two, finishing 15th in their first season back since reforming, before he left to take over at Wycombe Wanderers who he would take up to League One.
Brief pells in charge of Oxford United and Portsmouth followed but he is now back with the Shots to replace Barry Smith who has left after just one season in Hampshire.
An inconsistent campaign saw Aldershot finish 15th in the National League and Waddock knows he needs to get fans out of their seats again.
“It’s a situation I never thought I’d be in but I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “It’s a nice feeling. I like to assemble squads that I would like to watch.
“I’ve missed the people here and I’ve missed the supporters – the atmosphere they created at home games was amazing and I loved that.
“We have to be able to give them something to cheer about and we’re going to try our best to get this place rocking again.”
Chairman Shahid Azeem added: “Gary was clearly the number one choice for a lot of supporters, and he was our number one choice too.
“The board have listened to what the fans have told us, but it was a tough decision. Ultimately, though, we need somebody who will galvanise the club and bring supporters back to the EBB Stadium.
“I would again like to thank Barry Smith for his hard work at the club, and equally for the honourable way in which he conducted himself throughout the season. Now we look to the future, with the club united behind our manager, and I hope that all Aldershot Town supporters are as excited about what Gary can achieve here as we are.”
