Aldershot Town host Kent-based side Ebbsfleet United on Saturday afternoon, as they look to continue their six-game unbeaten run in the league.
Formerly known as Gravesend & Northfleet FC, ‘The Fleet’ are a club with a rich, and at times unusual, history.
Between 2007 and 2013, they became the first professional sports team in the world to be run by an online community, as they were operated by membership-based website MyFootballClub, with up to 32,000 official shareholders voting on the club’s footballing direction.
In 79 years of existence, Ebbsfleet have played exclusively between the fifth and seventh tiers of English football, a true non-league staple.
RECENT FORM
It has been a season to forget thus far for the visitors, who sit comfortably bottom of the National League table, 22-points adrift from safety.
- 15/03/25 – Ebbsfleet United 1-0 AFC Fylde
- 08/03/25 – Solihull Moors 2-1 Ebbsfleet United
- 04/03/25 – Eastleigh 2-0 Ebbsfleet United
- 01/03/25 – Ebbsfleet United 2-3 Tamworth
- 22/02/25 – Wealdstone 4-2 Ebbsfleet United
However, they are not to be underestimated, as the club come into the tie having enjoyed arguably their best week of the season. The Fleet beat AFC Fylde on Saturday for just their second victory of the campaign, and in midweek saw off Tonbridge Angels 1-0 in the Kent Senior Cup, with a last-minute screamer from Elijah Anthony sending them to the final.
IN THE DUGOUT
Taking over the reins from Harry Watling in December, 35-year-old Josh Wright is the division’s youngest head-coach, and while he hasn’t laced up his boots since his permanent appointment, with no word on retirement, is technically a player-manager.
Born in Tower Hamlets, Wright spent the vast majority of his 562-game professional career in England’s South-East, with notable permanent spells at Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Leyton Orient and Gillingham to name a few.
Josh Wright may be the only professional footballer in the country that can be described as ‘out of the limelight’, as the majority of his immediate family have regularly featured on reality TV series The Only Way Is Essex. Claiming to ‘not care for fame’, Josh has done his utmost to avoid appearing on the show himself, focusing solely on his football career since adolescence.
While his stewardship has seen clear signs of improvement within the team, Wright’s managerial acumen may be best assessed in years to follow, having taken on a near-impossible task this time around.
LAST TIME OUT
There was nothing to separate the sides in the reverse fixture, a Tuesday evening clash at the Kuflink Stadium finished 0-0 with minimal chances for either side.
This was typical for an affair that has historically run close, though last season’s home fixture saw the joint-largest ever victory between the two. Tommy Widdrington’s side came from behind to finish 4-1 winners despite finishing the game with ten-men. James Daly and Ryan Glover added to a first-half double from Lorent Tolaj during a marvelous outing under the lights.
FORMER SHOTS
Tyler Cordner – The defender will be fondly remembered for his goalscoring exploits, scoring EIGHT goals from centre-half in 2022-23.
It wasn’t the greatest season for the Shots from a defensive perspective, though with his goals directly earning seven points, and the team surviving relegation by just five, it is safe to say he was a vital asset in his single season at the EBB.
Currently on loan from York, Hampshire-born Cordner has been out through injury since being stretchered off against Yeovil Town in January, and is extremely unlikely to feature in this one.
Toby Edser – The Fleet’s club captain joined from Aldershot in 2022, after making 62 appearances for the club across two seasons.
His greatest moment in Shots colours is a matter of no debate. On January 2nd 2021, the midfielder scored the only goal of the game away at Woking, a free-kick from wide that snuck in at the near-post.
Having served his ban for a red card attained in Solihull, he will likely return to the starting lineup at the EBB.
Kwame Thomas – Fresh in the memory, the forward, while not necessarily prolific in his solitary season, had a knack for saving his goals for the most important moments.
Not one of his six strikes in 2023-24 came before the hour-mark, with late winners against Dagenham & Redbridge, Barnet, Halifax and Gateshead, as well as 79th and 91st minute equalisers against Hartlepool and Wealdstone, making him a pivotal part of last season’s play-off push.
His time in Kent has garnered less headlines, with just nine starts thus far, though expect him to feature from the bench at very least.
TICKET INFO
This Non-League day, Aldershot Town are delighted to extend our usual offer of free tickets to younger supporters from Under 11s to Under 16s.
Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows after the earlybird period has ended:
- ADULTS – £23
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £19
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £19
- DISABLED – £19
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £19
- 16-17 – £8
- UNDER 16 – FREE
We strongly encourage buying tickets in advance or online to save queues in the Ticket Office before the game.
The Club Shop/Ticket Office is open for all supporters with cash and card accepted.
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT
Live updates will be available from our social media platforms X (@OfficialShots), Instagram (@aldershottownfcofficial), and Facebook. After the game, highlights will be available on our YouTube channel.
The game can be streamed by overseas viewers via DAZN’s National League TV coverage. Click HERE to purchase a match pass.
There will be live commentary of the game provided by BBC Radio Surrey – listen online HERE
