The Recreation Ground ,
High Street ,
Aldershot ,
Hampshire ,
GU11 1TW
History
The club was formed in 1926 as Aldershot Town and admitted into the Football League six years later. They dropped the ‘Town’ part of their name in 1937, becoming Aldershot FC, which they remained for the next 55 years.
The club experienced financial difficulties throughout the early 90s and eventually went out of business in March 1992 when they were forced to resign their position in the Football League.
However, the supporters didn’t give up and by the beginning of the 1992 season, the newly-reformed Aldershot Town took up their position in the Diadora Isthmian League Division Three and are currently working their way back towards regaining Football League status.
Since the original club’s formation in 1926, the Recreation Ground has been The Shots home. Despite the obvious temptation for the clubs creditors to sell the ground when the club became insolvent in 1992, a council covenant protected the ground by stating that it could only be used for sporting activities, which kept the builders at bay and ensured it remained The Shots home for years to come.
General Ground Information
Although the ground is rather old and shabby looking these days, the club have developed the office building and created a larger bar facility as it has seen this as a major area for generating extra income. more...
There are now two decent bars (for home supporters only) within the home supporters’ area (of the North Stand) with the old one under the South Stand being for both home and away supporters. The club have recently rebuilt the turnstiles as well as fencing off the perimeter of the ground. There is also a large electronic message board at the High Street end of the ground, next to the new ticket office.
With the formation of the Shots Trust, there will be several new initiatives being developed including access for visiting supporters, a new club shop and better catering and toilet facilities.
Views of the pitch from around the Recreation Ground are fairly decent wherever you go. The High Street End however is flat so can be poor if you choose to stand there on match days.
Seats are fairly basic but comfortable. Leg-room on the other hand is fairly limited which can be an issue for those wishing to leave their seat every two minutes (or anyone sitting in the same row!) when the game has started.
The South Stand is wooden and is usually a favourite with older supporters. There is a bar under it and the views of the pitch are pretty decent once you take your seat. The hospitality boxes are situated at the top and away (seated section) supporters are housed at one end. The Family area is also situated in this stand. The East Bank is split in two and houses away (standing) and home (standing) supporters and is where the singing is. The stand has an old barrelled roof that holds the atmosphere well and most visiting supporters enjoy their visit. The North Bank runs along the entire length of the pitch and has a mixture of standing areas (at both ends) and seated areas. The directors box is situated half way down at the rear.
The programme shop appears to move with each game! Match programmes are usually sold at the turnstiles, just inside the turnstiles and at the snack huts around the ground.
