ALDERSHOT Town have appointed Laura Smith as the club’s new chief executive.

After four and a half years in a similar role with the Suffolk FA, and with wide experience in sports development in local government, Smith arrives at the EBB Stadium to lead and support Aldershot’s staff in driving the club forward.

“I want to build upon the positive work that is already going on and ensure that the club is at the heart of our local community,” said Smith who played as a midfielder for both AFC Wimbledon Ladies and Millwall Lionesses.

“We need to ensure that we are giving Gary Waddock and the first team as much support as we can off the pitch to enable them to do the best they possibly can on the pitch.

“I feel really fortunate to be given this opportunity at such an exciting time for the club, both in terms of the first team’s performances last season and also with the relaunch of our Community Foundation next month. I hope I can help give Gary the best tools off the pitch so the team can do just as well, if not better, during the coming season.”

Aldershot chairman Shahid Azeem thanked Bob Lampert, the outgoing general manager, for his work. “We are grateful that he will stay with us until the end of July to ensure a smooth handover.”

• Aldershot’s new Conservative MP, Leo Docherty, has purchased shares in Aldershot Town Football Club.

“I wanted to show my commitment and support to the football club,” said the MP. “A huge number of the local population support the club and it also has an amazingly important role in supporting charities and other initiatives.

“I’m really encouraged by the amazingly strong links the club has with the Forces community,” added the former Army officer. “That is something I will do my hardest to support into the future.

Tomorrow (Friday), Leo Docherty participates in the seventh annual Step by Step Sleep Out Challenge in aid of local homeless people.

• Victoria Rogers admitted her surprise at receiving the Football Conference Programme of the Year Award for the second time.

The Aldershot Town programme editor was announced the winner at the Football Conference AGM at the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales. A previous winner in 2012, Victoria said: “It was a really unexpected but fantastic surprise.”

The Shots – a full-colour, 64-page matchday magazine – is produced by a team of eight, led by Victoria. The final product is the result of many hours of planning and copywriting.

• Aldershot Town have relaunched the Junior Shots Club, hoping to create a new generation of young fans before the start of the season. The club confirm that children aged under 11 will again be admitted free to National League games at the EBB Stadium.

Junior Shots is open to any child aged 10 or under on August 31 this year.

To join the Junior Shots, call 01252 320211 or visit www.theshots.co.uk

• Aldershot Town FC are recruiting matchday stewards for the coming season. The club is now employing its own security to augment a new group of agency stewards. For details, email [email protected] giving full name, age, address and contact number.