It was 20 years ago today…sort of

20 years ago (last Sunday) Aldershot Town Football Club disappeared. It had run into massive financial difficulties (there were no wages for months before the end) and had to cease operations. It was a seriously sad day for a lot of die hard and lifelong Shots fans. Nicktor was one of them.

Last night was a celebration of all the things the team has achieved since then. Rising, phoenix-like from the ashes, starting in the lowly regions of the league and clawing its way back to League 2 (the old Division 4) where they now sit, happily, in the middle of the table.

In order to mark the 20th anniversary, a whole raft of veteran players from the first iteration of Aldershot Town, turned out. During the half-time break of last night’s game, each one of them was announced, their achievements heralded and cheered. It shouldn’t really surprise me but Nicktor knew most of them – both the players and their achievements.

It all made for a rather special night of football. Our current captain, Ben Hurd, led the team onto the pitch to the special serenade of a lone piper and a massive flag was on show from the East Bank (you can see the banner on Nicktor’s blip, here). On the radio, later, Peter Vincenti (another of our boys) said it felt very special.

And Nicktor told me a very funny story about Bill dating back many years to when they were but lads. Bill had travelled to an away match which the Shots had won and afterwards, he was lucky enough to see the Aldershot captain about to get on the team bus to go home. Bill, being a gregarious sort of chap, went up and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“Great game,” Bill said, or something similar.

Unfortunately, Bill’s pat was a little more forceful than he realised. The captain was caught off guard and went crashing forward onto the steps of the bus, damaging one of his legs. He was out of the next few matches because of the injury. It would have to be quite rare for a player to get attacked by one of his own fans after a win. Apparently, Bill is a legend because of this. Through my laughter, I could only say “Poor Bill!“

Unusual celebrations aside, and dragging this post back into the 21st century, the game tonight was against Bristol Rovers. And what an entertaining match it was. From the off, the two teams were quite evenly matched and, unlike the last game I watched (against the cheating Crawley) was a very clean match…ignoring the last few minutes, that is.

Bristol Rovers seem to be masters of the high ball, something we’re decidedly not. They managed to get heads on almost everything hoofed into the air, directing them towards their own players. But that didn’t mean their passing game wasn’t excellent as well. There were times they carved through us as if we weren’t there at all.

Not that we didn’t give as good as we received. We played some sweet football and were rewarded late on in the first half when Peter Vincenti slotted home a ball from the edge of the area. Half time and it was 1-0.

The second half was more of the same, entertaining but frustrating football. Both teams deserved goals but it wasn’t to be. There was a last minute (literally) heart in mouth moment when Bristol peppered our goal with shots from close in until a brave Ben Hurd belted it clear. In retrospect, this may have been a fair result. Both teams played well and a neutral would probably have preferred a draw.

And then, with very little time left, the half asleep Straker was having a doze on the pitch when one of the Bristol players bent down to haul him to his feet so they could try and equalise. Straker saw this as an attack on his ability to remain awake and he lashed out. Naturally players from both sides converged on the pair and joined in. It was mayhem in the middle for a bit as the ref tried to restore some order.

To be fair, it was all a bit tame and more handbags than fists but it did mar an otherwise excellent game. At the final whistle, the hostilities were resumed and, as we left the ground, there was still a lot of action happening in the middle but now it included managers, physios, ball boys and a couple of stray dogs.

The night was also a first for me. I’m pretty sure it was the first time I’ve heard Nicktor say “I think the ref had a good game.”