IN The same week that Aldershot Town heard that their first ever Conference match will be televised live on Sky television, fans were also cheered by the news that strikers Aaron McLean and Michael Harper have signed new two-year contracts.
The match between Aldershot and Accrington Stanley has been switched to Sunday, August 10 – the Conference season starts on August 9. Now, very conveniently, the game featuring two clubs who had to drop out of the Football League, will be a dream showpiece for the Nationwide Conference.
The game will follow the Community Shield final between Manchester United and Arsenal, with a 5 pm kick-off.
The match is sure to generate huge interest. Apart from Aldershot and Accrington supporters, fanatical fans are likely to come from far and wide to witness a historic encounter.
With McLean and Harper signing two-year contracts, manager Terry Brown looks to have a well-balanced attack at his disposal.
His dilemma will be how to deploy it. McLean scored six goals in 11 games during the run-in to the Ryman League title, but he and top scorer Roscoe D'Sane are much of a likeness. Both have searing pace, but are comparatively short. The arrival of the gangling Tim Sills and the continuing presence of teenager Harper solves the height problem.
"I've got the happy problem of fitting our three senior strikers into a system that works best for all of them," said Brown. "We've got plenty of pre-season friendlies to get everyone settled and try out some different formations."
"I am chuffed to bits with the signings. Both have had a number of clubs chasing them, but they have decided Aldershot offers them the best path for developing their careers. They are an integral part of my plans for the future."