Manager who mixed Bristol Rovers and Reading FC players to lift FA Trophy resigns

Aldershot Town manager Tommy Widdrington has resigned as first team manager, a statement from the club says.

The Shots are 19th in the Enterprise National League after 14 games but won their FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday to progress to the First Round Proper.

A statement released by the club said: “Aldershot Town Football Club can confirm that Tommy Widdrington has informed the Club of his resignation as First-Team Manager.

“Hugo Langton and Alan Dowson will be overseeing first-team affairs ahead of Saturday’s game against Tamworth.

“The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.”

As reported by the National League website, Widdrington’s departure comes following a spate of exits in the League: “His exit comes after Simon Grayson left Hartlepool on Sunday, Kelvin Davis was sacked by Eastleigh, Steve Morison parted company with Sutton United and Mark Cooper departed Yeovil Town,

“Matt Taylor was replaced at Solihull Moors by Chris Millington and Adam Hinshelwood and York City parted ways four games into the new season.”

Widdrington had been manager of Aldershot since April 2023 having had a 20 year playing career that took in the likes of Southampton, Port Vale and Macclesfied Town.

His managerial career began at Salisbury City in 2009 and he had two caretaker spells with Bristol Rovers in the Football League where he held a number of roles including ‘Director of Football’.

Widdrington lead a side packed with talent from the academies of Reading FC and Rovers to lift the FA Trophy last season, the clubs first knockout competition silverware since lifting the Conference League Cup in 07/08, and arguably the clubs biggest day since winning promotion back to the Football League the same year.

The Shots squad contains Josh Barrett, Dejan Tetek and James Henry who are all ex-Reading, as well as former Bristol Rovers youngsters Ryan Jones, Theo Widdrington and Cameron Hargreaves while Haydon Vaughan is on loan at Bracknell Town and Keane Anderson is the son of Robins and Shots legend Mark.

Related: The ex-Bracknell Town manager who is Farnborough’s record appearance maker