Pride in Aldershot!

[Tazzle]

It's been forty years since I left the area and stopped watching the Shots on a regular basis. Since then I've endured numerous negative comments about my home town because, let's face it, Aldershot doesn't have the best reputation.

I travelled up from Devon at the weekend because there was no way I was going to miss our first trip to Wembley. From the moment I got off the train at Waterloo, and heard the chanting on the station concourse, I felt immensely proud to be from Aldershot. The support was unbelievable!

I've watched plenty of YouTube clips since arriving back home, some posted by neutrals who were at the game. The thing that stands out for me is their wonder at the numbers we brought to the match, particularly for a non-league club, and compared to the other teams playing. And what a tremendous performance from all the players and coaching staff, especially the second half. Again, universally praised by all the YouTube posters.

It's been almost 60 years since my first game at the Rec, and I don't know when I'll see the shots again. But I'll never forget that glorious day in the sunshine, and the pride I felt, and still feel, in the town of my birth. A heartfelt thank you to all those who made it happen.

[Pitcombe1]

I to live in the West Country and drove up to Aldershot early on Sunday morning to catch one of the supporters coaches up to Wembley. Walking down to the ground it was lovely to see how many business and people had got behind the team and particular love the sign outside the 'Holy Trinity ' church, which read 'Missing goals in life? Let Jesus call the SHOTS' I took that to be a good omen. The team, the supporters and the town, everything filled me with pride. I have seen several video on Facebook and other sites that discribe Aldershot as the U.K.'s worst place to live, well I have been to many that I would say are a lot worse, but I was appalled at one video I saw showing all the rubbish littering the streets and parks.
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE IF SOME OF THE SUPPORTERS COULD SPARE A FEW HOURS DURING THE SUMMER AND ORGANISE A LITTER PICK. The team has bought a real sence of pride to the town, now let the residents and club supporters bring a sence of pride back to the town itself.

[Tazzle]

I have seen several video on Facebook and other sites that discribe Aldershot as the U.K.'s worst place to live,

Only because they've never been to Crewe!

[karlready]

Born in the town, lived in the town for all of my long life. It’s seen better times, for sure, but has always had a sense of community and identity. Unfortunately we are an island of deprivation in an an affluent ocean. We may be on the cusp of better times, but with the whole country going down the tubes, I’m not hopeful.

[Gone West]

I have seen several video on Facebook and other sites that discribe Aldershot as the U.K.'s worst place to live,

Only because they've never been to Crewe!

…….or Luton!

[redblueuptoyou]

Born in the town, lived in the town for all of my long life. It’s seen better times, for sure, but has always had a sense of community and identity. Unfortunately we are an island of deprivation in an an affluent ocean. We may be on the cusp of better times, but with the whole country going down the tubes, I’m not hopeful.

I guess it’s subjective but I don’t think the country is ‘going down the tubes’ and isn’t as deprived as people would have you believe. If everyone was so broke, how did so many people afford the Oasis tickets at inflated prices?

Premier League/Championship matches and theatre sell out every week. Sport, culture, music - things are looking good. Let’s be positive.

Starbucks is now coming to Aldershot. Hopefully more bigger brands will follow suit.

[margateshot]

Thank God for that, when I read the thread title I thought they'd painted the Noth stand in rainbow colours

[Silasgoldeen]

Born in the town, lived in the town for all of my long life. It’s seen better times, for sure, but has always had a sense of community and identity. Unfortunately we are an island of deprivation in an an affluent ocean. We may be on the cusp of better times, but with the whole country going down the tubes, I’m not hopeful.

I guess it’s subjective but I don’t think the country is ‘going down the tubes’ and isn’t as deprived as people would have you believe. If everyone was so broke, how did so many people afford the Oasis tickets at inflated prices?

Premier League/Championship matches and theatre sell out every week. Sport, culture, music - things are looking good. Let’s be positive.

Starbucks is now coming to Aldershot. Hopefully more bigger brands will follow suit.

I have this discussion with my dad who's 80 and can't see what all the fuss is about.

a lot of people have a lot of money. If you have two good salaries and/or bought a house a few years ago your life's probably pretty fine financially.

But that doesn't change the bigger picture. Cost of living is ridiculous, there's nowhere to rent, and most people can't afford to buy now. If you know you'll never be able to afford a house why not just put an Oasis ticket on a credit card and worry about it later?

There's no investment in the country because there's no money - councils are struggling. They re-tarmacked the Lower Farnham Road pavements last year and I swear someone just poured a load of black stuff out, moved it around a bit, then left it. Absolutely **** it was, but does anyone care? No, you get what you pay for. Who needs flat pavements anyway? Not when you can have cheap and bumpy ones.

But despite all that, Aldershot feels like it's on the up to me. The town centre feels a bit smarter now and while we can all joke about not needing another coffee shop, these things do get people out of their houses and into the centre. Every little step in the right direction leads to another one. Put a few of them together and maybe you have something.