Aldershot Town appoint John Coleman as new manager

John Coleman has been appointed as the new manager of relegation-threatened Aldershot Town.

The Shots had been searching for a new boss since Tommy Widdrington resigned earlier this month with the club battling to stay out of the relegation places.

Club chairman Shahid Azeem said: “We are really excited to welcome John to the EBB Stadium. His experience at non-league and above and what he has given to the game is nothing short of remarkable.”

Coleman has managed across the footballing pyramid, most notably at Gillingham, Rochdale and Accrington Stanley, spending 23 years over two spells with the latter.

He enjoyed success with Accrington, helping them rise through the leagues before winning the Conference National title in 2006 during his first spell and then going onto secure the League Two title in 2018 in his second.

Coleman arrives at the EBB Stadium with Aldershot sitting in 20th, above the drop zone on goal difference only, but fans will be hoping his experience will bode well for the National League club.

His first match in charge will be in the FA Cup however, as the Shots travel to face Weston-super-Mare in the first round on Saturday.

Alan Dowson and James Henry took charge of the team on an interim basis while the Aldershot hierarchy looked for Widdrington’s replacement.

Azeem acknowledged their involvement and said: “First of all, all of us here at ATFC want to sincerely thank Alan Dowson and James Henry for stepping up to the plate in this interim period.

“It has not been easy and they have acted with true professionalism throughout. Alan and his team will lead The Shots out this weekend, and the Club are right behind them. We look forward to continuing to work with them.”

Dowson and Henry oversaw Aldershot’s 2-1 defeat to Scunthorpe at the weekend, but Coleman has now taken over as manager.