After being made to wait almost a century, Aldershot Town will make their debut at Wembley Stadium this weekend in the Isuzu FA Trophy Final in what promises to be ‘one of the biggest days in the club’s history’, according to Shots boss Tommy Widdrington.
It has been a rollercoaster ride of a season for both the club and its manager on a personal level.
Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Spennymoor Town, the Newcastle-born former footballer reflects on a campaign to remember.
“This hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for me following my strokes back in November,” he said. “I’m delighted to report that I’m well on the road to fitness. I’ll be forever indebted to my wife for insisting on taking me to hospital and all the incredible staff who have helped me in my recovery.
“To finish the year at Wembley after everything that has happened is something I’m incredibly grateful for and I intend to make the most of every moment.
“I’ve had a lot of chats with players and the fantastic coaching staff here at Aldershot in the past few months and I’ve told them that I’ll never lose my inner will to win and my drive to get the absolute maximum out of this team, but I do have a certain sense of perspective.
“Certain things will happen where I won’t react in the way I used to. But to be part of the staff that have taken Aldershot to Wembley is something I’ll cherish until the day I do finally go."
Having taken charge of the club in April 2023, Widdrington has turned Aldershot's fortunes around.
But despite finishing the season in mid-table and missing out on the play-offs, they now have a chance at Wembley glory.
“We entered this competition knowing we could win," he continued. "From the first game against Wealdstone we had our eyes on the FA Trophy and getting to Wembley.
“As probably the greatest manager I ever played for, Alan Ball, once told me, ‘I don’t believe in luck, but I believe you need it’.
“Of course, you never know how any cup run is going to end but the message from us to the players was very clear from the outset. It hasn’t been easy and there have been plenty of obstacles in our way, not least the semi-final against our local rivals Woking.
What a group this is ❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/fdRGhYPgOG
— Aldershot Town FC (@OfficialShots) April 5, 2025
“There was obviously a lot of pressure surrounding that game because losing in a semi-final is probably more heartbreaking than losing in a final, but I think we thoroughly deserved that win.
“I’ll never forget walking round the ground after the match and seeing people as young as 20 and as old as 90 with tears rolling down their cheeks. That win meant so much to so many people.”
You can read the full interview with Tommy in the official programme for Non-League Finals Day.
