So, after a traumatic few months Aldershot Town FC were relegated from the Football League. A week later, the club found itself in administration, albeit for an amount of debt much lower than many other Football League clubs continue to run with.

Shotsweb, has proved to be a highly effective platform for many of those involved to air their side of a story, so full of twists and curveball's, that...really, you couldn't make it up. 

However, we are where we are and on the evidence of the Knights Cup match (8th May 2013) the determination of staff - working on a voluntary basis and fans -turning out in good number, coupled with the passion that so many, far and wide, feel for 'our' club, ATFC is very much 'Alive & Kicking'.

There is a wide feeling amongst those still at the club and acknowledged by the administrators, that with prior work carried out to put together a realistic budget for next season, the continued support of staff and, significantly, new investment into the club, there remains a good chance that, provided it exits administration prior to 8th June, Aldershot Town FC could yet take its place in the Conference Premier for the 2013-14 season without the deduction of 10 points. 

Below are links to recent, key statements (in chronological order) of former Chief Exec-Andrew Mills, Shots Trust President (and former Head of Media)-Graham Brookland, Director/Creditor-Michael McGinty, Chairman-Shahid Azeem & majority shareholder-Kris Machala. 

Shotsweb is run by a small voluntary team and itself, does not take sides in situations such as the unique one we find ourselves in. However, football is all about opinions, so please continue to use our forums to share your ATFC related news and views.

COME ON THE SHOTS!

(you may need to copy and paste these links)

Andrew Mills (1st May 2013) - courtesy of theshots.co.uk  

http://www.theshots.co.uk/news/article/130501chiefexecutive-802876.aspx

Graham Brookland (2nd May 2013):

http://www.shotsweb.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=511:statement-from-graham-brookland&catid=2:match-reports&Itemid=19

Michael McGinty (3rd May 2013):

http://www.shotsweb.co.uk/mb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34199

Shahid Azeem (4th May 2013):

http://www.shotsweb.co.uk/mb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34228

Kris Machala (7th May 2013)

http://www.shotsweb.co.uk/mb/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34249

​Statement from Shahid Azeem, Chairman of Aldershot Town Football Club (03/05/13)

Subsequent to the our AGM on Thursday 18th April 2013 and over the past few days majority shareholder and Club owner Mr. Kris Machala made a number of announcements regarding the immediate and long term future of the Football Club. As Chairman of the Board of Directors I am left with no other option than to respond to and clarify both my position and the events that have left us now in administration. I should also confirm that I have only been Chairman for a number of weeks and an Executive Director for the past 5 months, prior to this I had no voting rights nor was I party to a number of Board meetings organised or requested by Kris Machala.

I should also confirm that whilst the financial position was very precarious, with the assistance of fellow Directors Tony Knights, John Leppard and the Football Club Chief Executive Andrew Mills plus committed staff, every effort was made to secure the club's future and believe that despite relegation, with the procedures and budgets in place we had found an achievable plan to save the club. However this is now immaterial as repeated delays by majority shareholder Mr Machala and his failure to comply with conditions and assurances given by him to the Board and shareholders, the Club was unable to secure immediate funds which would have allowed the business to trade through the summer. 

Below is a statement of events;

January 16th 2013 Board Meeting
The Board entered into an exclusivity agreement (for 6 weeks) with myself in an effort to secure urgently required investment on the understanding that Kris would secure funds in relation to January cash flow shortage and sign off and file the 2011/12 accounts. The Board decided to proceed on this basis as negotiations between former Company Secretary Simon Groves and an unknown potential investor, which had been ongoing for several months, had failed to come to fruition. 

Rotherham United 2 Aldershot Town 0

Lewis Blain reporting: 

The Shots stay in the Football League was cut to 5 years after they bow out in a disappointing 2-0 away defeat at the helm of Steve Evans' Rotherham United. Andy Scott returned to his former club in the hope of at least ruining their promotion party. Olly Lancashire replaced Troy Brown in the starting line-up and Adam Mekki returned from injury to also start the game. Scott reverted to a 4-5-1 formation using Michael Rankine up front with Craig Reid dropping to the bench. This change of formation allowed a central midfield triplet of Craig Stanley, Asa Hall and Peter Vincenti (who slipped in and out with Danny Rose during the game).

Rotherham only needed a draw to secure promotion to League One. The Millers weren't here to be taken lightly, straight from the off, a long punt into the Shots' box saw Jamie Young punch clear but it fell to midfielder Ben Pringle who drilled it on the volley straight over the bar. Using his pace, Kieron Agard managed to weave his way through the Shots defence, managing to shoot but Sonny Bradley was there to block it. The Shots couldn't get into the game and having one striker this task was much harder.

Aldershot Town 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Lewis Blain reporting:

The Shots hope of staying in the Football League was given a huge boost at least until 15 minutes after the match. Craig Reid replaced Paul McCallum in the only change for The Shots. Adam Mekki missed out through a recurring injury so Kieron Cadogan featured on the bench, as did Ross Worner. The relegation clash as it was touted by some started off scrappy with both sides showing their physical elements. Kevin Maher found space for the visitors forcing a shot high over the bar.

Quickly after that Asa Hall powered a low strike at returning 'keeper Chris Lewington. Striker Josh Scott looked up for the game making the darting runs in behind The Shots defence but lacking the instinctive final touch. Matt Saunders mishit a cross but it found Scott inside the box but he couldn't keep his effort on target or below the goal. Michael Rankine was pulling the strings up front looking like The Shots main threat.

Danny Rose swung in a testing cross, it met Rankine's head but he could only see it wide of the goal. Right on halftime The Daggers went close to taking the lead, quick wing play found Scott once again inside the box. Jamie Young brilliantly denied him but he parried it into the path of strike partner Jake Reed who decided to set up Scott instead of taking the glory, Scott's effort cannoned off the top of the crossbar, out for a goal-kick. 

Aldershot Town 0 Southend United 2

Lewis Blain reportiing:

Shots league survival bid was smacked down to earth after Southend provided clinical in front of goal. Michael Rankine entered the frame moving Jeff Goulding to the bench. Centre-back Troy Brown returned from injury, which has kept him out of action since the Torquay victory, he was put straight back into the starting eleven at the expense of Terrell Forbes - who did not feature in the match squad. Adam Mekki was fit enough for the bench, while Kieron Cadogan did not feature.

As many of the games this season, the game began with a slow tempo with neither side able to have a crack on goal, or even create a worthwhile chance. Aldershot were the first with a free-kick, it lacked any attacking intention. Southend's defence pulled of a few defensive errors but collected themselves before clearing. It took quarter of an hour for a real chance to fall, it was for Southend. Bradley Corr's head met an inswinging corner, as the ball was falling towards the net, Ben Herd was there to clear the ball off the line.

The game came alive, Freddy Eastwood whipped in a cross. Herd's attempted header to clear the ball struck his arm and after understandable appeals the referee them away and the game continued. Aldershot nearly struck straight away, Peter Vincenti picking up the ball in the middle of the park before running with it and unleashing a drive from the edge of the box, the well struck shot was just wide of the right post. 

Danny Rose, playing on the left again, ran the line before curling a ball in for Paul McCallum. Ryan Cresswells attempted headed clearance fell into the path of a diving Vincenti, he couldn't convert the header into a goal. Michael Rankine, making his first start for Andy Scott, held the ball well before turning and running the wing. After nearly over running it, he cut back and curled in a cross. The Southend 'keeper had to palm the ball to keep it from flying straight into the net, Anthony Straker cleared. That would be the end of the first half shortly later.

After the restart Rose found Rankine in the box but his header was too weak and fell straight to the goalkeeper. Straker gave away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box. Rose swung in a brilliant ball for Rankine once again, the 'keeper was left to watch the ball sail over the bar from a powerful header. An hour had passed, when the ball popped up for Craig Stanley to exquisitely strike a volley from 25 yards out, the 'keeper read the ball well and managed to catch it as it was dipping. 

Southend were unlucky not to have gone into the lead, despite the Shots dominance. Herd played striker Britt Assombalonga onside as he paced through the heart of the Shots defence, after slotting it past Jamie Young, the ball rolled towards the far post and then across the face of goal before Young claimed it. This sparked the Shrimpers with a ball being crossed in from deep, it caused mayhem in the box after a Shots player threw himself at the ball to stop the first attempt, Corr put it in the back of the net at the second try. 

Craig Reid and Adam Mekki were introduced in a straight swap with Vincenti and McCallum. The Shots should have equalised when some inch perfect build up play between Herd, Rankine and Stanley, Stanley then played the ball through Southend's defence for Rose. Rose who was well inside the area hit it first time but he sliced it away from goal. 

Assombalonga beat the Shots defence again reaching the by-line before looking to cut in, Troy Brown cut the ball out for what looked like a corner but despite the striker not even going to ground the referee awarded a penalty. Britt Assombalonga calmly stepped up to take it and sent Young the wrong way and hit the final nail into the coffin. Andy Scott changed things instantly bringing on Jeff Goulding for Troy Brown, reverting to a 3-4-3 formation. 

Craig Reid and Danny Rose came close to getting a goal for the Shots but neither effort could test the Southend goalie. Asa Hall was the next player to fizz out a shot, his volley flew inches wide. The fourth official showed four minutes added time. The Shots desperately threw everyone up. There were two corners for the Shots before the referee called for full-time. 

The poorer side won but their clinical finishing ensured them 3 points, manager Phil Brown will take his first win at Southend. It is almost over for the Shots in the football league as they have two games remaining, which they must win to pull of a miracle. 4 points off safety surely means it's time to prepare for life in the Conference.

Attendance: 2,568