Calling the Shots

Aldershot Town v Darlington

Coca-Cola League Two

Saturday 6th September 2008, 3pm

The Shots return to the League after their demise 16 years ago and have made a reasonable start, with two victories, including last weekend's at home against previously unbeaten Bradford.

Man to watch Rhys Day Ex-Wales under 21 centre back with league experience at Mansfield. .

Full match previews on the D@rlo Uncovered website.

Darlo fans during the 2-1 defeat in September 2008

The EBB Stadium: Away fans are asked to use the Redan Hill turnstiles (11 and 12) - follow external signs to the south side of the EBB Stadium where Redan Hill can be found, next to the railway. Ticket prices: Adults seats £18, terrace £15; Concessions Seats £13 and terrace £12; children seats £10 and terrace £9. Disabled fans will be situated in the front of the South Stand. Access to the EBB Stadium will then be through the gate at the High Street end of the EBB Stadium and nearest Turnstile 10 There should be around 1,000 terrace places and 250 seats. Prices have risen a couple of quid on last year.

Aldershot Town FC: Recreation Ground, High St, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 1TW Tel: (01252) 320 211 History: The original Aldershot were formed in 1926 and elected to the League in 1932. They took 41 years to achieve their first promotion and the following season finished in their highest position - eighth in Division 3. They were promoted again in 1986/87 through the play-offs. The club went out of business in March 1992, after being wound up in the High Court following a match at Cardiff City. But a month later, 600 fans met to reform - under the name of Aklershot Town. They started at the bottom - the Diadora Isthmian League Division 3 - to be precise. Their remarkable rebirth and return to the League 16 years on is something to be celebrated. Record Attendance: 19,138 v Carlisle, FA Cup, 1970. Capacity: 7,500 Last season: Blue Square Premier champions Honours: Div 4 play-off winner 1987; Conference champions, 2007-2008; Isthmian Premier champions, 2002-2003; Isthmian Div 1 champions 1997-98. Record victory: 9-1 Andover, Hampshire Senior Cup Final, 2000 Defeat: 0-6 Worthing,, Isthmian Full Members Cup 2nd Rd, 1999 Nickname: The Shots. Colours: Red and blue Manager: Gary Waddock Chairman: John McGinty Players out: Joel Grant (Crewe, £130,000), Rob Gier, Ryan Scott, Dean Smith, Ryan Williams Players in: Chris Blackburn (Swindon), Marvin Morgan (Woking), Junior Osbourne Famous fans/players/connections: Jimmy Melia (manager), Steve Wignall (player/manager), Aaron McLean, Darren Barnard, Jason Chewins (players), Arthur English (the late comedy actor, fan/club president), Jack Rollin (Rothman's Yearbook editor, fan) Click for Streetmap of ground and a streetplan of the town

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Leave the M25 at junction 10. Take the A3 towards Guildford. After Guildford, turn off onto the A31 (Hog's Back) leading to Farnham ( exit on the hill just past BP garage). Take the A331 (signposted Camberley and Aldershot). Leave this road at at Aldershot South (the first exit off the A331) and head towards the town centre. Stay in the right hand lane and go straight on at the traffic lights. After passing Manor Park (left) and under the railway bridge, the stadium is on the right - straight over next roundabout and 3rd exit at second roundabout for multi-storey car park. Turn right at the next roundabout into Ordnance Road. Take the first right for the Parsons Barracks car park. Parking: Fans are warned not to park on the pavement or verges in Ordnance Road or risk a ticket. There is limited parking on match-days available in the Parsons Barracks car park (next to the stadium - get there early). The best option is the cheap pay and display car-parks less than a five minute walk into town - see map and directions page.

The ground is an easy, straightforward 10 minute walk from the station. Walk down the station approach and turn right into Windsor Way. After passing a Peugeot dealership on your right and the Holy Trinity Church on your left, follow the bend in the road left into Victoria Road. Turn right at the bottom of this road and you will see the ground. Aldershot is served by trains from London Waterloo via Clapham Junction and Woking Trains (TIMES updated July 2008): Darlington: 07.30-arr Kings Cross 10.13 then Tube to Waterloo and trains to Aldershot (see below). Rtn from Kings Cross 19.20-arr 22.09. London Waterloo: 10.23-arr 11.19, rtn: 17.04-arr 17.57 or 17.34-18.25. Fares: £12 cheapday return

Castle Cars 01252 338080 Rushmore Radio Taxis Tel: 01252 333555 GM Cars (Guilford) Tel: 01483 566 566 Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach: time 7am, £31. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

Tourist Information Centre: Princes Gardens Community Building, Aldershot Tel: 01252 320968 (open, 10am-3pm)

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Real ale/Near the stadium The White Lion, 20, Lower Farnham Rd (off the A323), Aldershot, GU12 4EA A community real ale pub, about a mile or so from the ground - to the east. Serves Triple FFF ales and has an impressive range of beers. The pub is owned by the Triple fff brewery in nearby Alton and on DAFTS visit had four of their brews on offer (after some changing of barrels - very busy the night before apparently). We sampled Pressed Rat - nice mild with plenty of flavour - and Alton's Pride. Best was a Moondance - a fresh barrel - despite having a slight haze - similar to the Alton but hoppier and with a nice bitter edge. The pub started to get a bit busier nearer to kick-off - as happens to league new boys (or returnees in this case), a few folk had come along to tick off Aldershot for their 92 league grounds. DAFTS recommended. Click for Streetmap Royal Staff, Mount Pleasant Road. On a hill overlooking the ground, this has a range of mainly Fullers' ales. An L-shaped bar with antique lampshades. Football on the TV Recommended by CAMRA. Near/at the stadium The Beehive, 264 High Street Near the stadium but no real ale. The Crimea, Crimea Rd Some real ale may be available but nothing beyond the usual.

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Rail timetables Virgin Trains GNER National Express Tourism and attractions Aldershot Mail Rushmoor Council

Surfing there...

There are two good, well-maintained and hassle-free websites including the official and easy-to-navigate Shots.co.uk and the unofficial but just as good ShotsWeb There is also the Red and Blue Army fans' site.

Next away match:
AFC Bournemouth (Sat Sept 27th, 3pm)

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.

© DAFTS 2008