Hard Times

 

For most of the period, from my first game in 1960, to our demise in 1992, I was never motivated to visit the Rec by a ‘push for promotion’.

Interestingly, in both of our uplifting seasons during that time, I was distracted by other matters and really only enjoyed the exciting finish to each campaign; the run-in before Stockport in ‘73 and the wonderful success experienced, when competing in the inaugural playoffs in ‘87.

No, for me I was always simply happy with just my visits to the stadium, a wreck that always felt like a family home. Indeed, on so many occasions it was no more than a time to experience exciting and open football.

And for so many years our Football League status was secured as a result of an irresistible and excellent home form. The League status maintained, but enhanced with the occasional great cup run, that always stimulated the emotions; the Villa, Huddersfield Town, Manchester Utd (the proper match), and not forgetting Reading. All adding wonderful memories to my ‘museum of the Shots’.

Our level was Division 4. We knew that, and generally we were pretty comfortable with the inevitability of the fact.

The push for promotion following the days of our rebirth in ’92, were really no more than a combined attempt at repositioning. The desire held by us all, throughout those early years, was that the EFL must surely be our rightful place at the ‘big table of football’. But looking back that ‘vision’ was undoubtedly wrong.

Football in Aldershot is no different to Aldershot, the town. The rest of the world has moved on at a pace, new employment opportunities and computers, technology and banking. Aldershot a town long forgotten as being Queen Victoria’s ‘home of the British Army’.

Stand outside of the ground after the Wealdstone game (Vinnie Jones’ first club in 1984), and look left then right. Look back to the Rec, and consider the landscape. Then tell me, like the Chairman does, that you can see tens of millions of pounds just waiting to be made through a development that will turn our history of decline into a 21^st Cent success story.

Ever since I finished my studies, and left London in 1974, my visits to the Rec have pretty much always been from afar. Only for a few years in the late 80s and early 90s, when I worked out of London, was my home reasonably close to the ground. And on Saturday I will travel up from Exmoor, in north Devon, with the same homecoming feeling that the long drive has always delivered, over so many years. But at the Wellington Monument I always slow down, as the realisation of despair comes sharply into focus.

Our place at the ‘big table of football’ is indeed, just about where we are now.

And sadly, now is not like the 60s and much of the 70s and 80s, it is without the excitement that a combative good home form brings. And it is undoubtedly now a world where great cup exploits are set aside for others.

 

See you all on Saturday…… 

(postscript Aldershot 1 v 2 Wealdstone)