DELIGHTED Aldershot Town boss Danny Searle has paid tribute to the club’s “outstanding” supporters.

Some 163 hardy souls made the gruelling 400-mile return trip to Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground in north Wales on Saturday – and they were rewarded with a third win in four games to wrap up a terrific Christmas and new year spell for the Shots.

And the effort put in by the committed travelling faithful wasn’t lost on Searle, who saw his fast-improving team win back-to-back games for the first time this season to move up to 16th in the National League.

“The supporters were unbelievable, they did not stop singing. They were outstanding from start to finish,” enthused Searle.

“Unless you sit down with each and every supporter, they don’t understand how much we appreciate their support, because when you are up against it a little bit and you can hear them singing it makes a difference.”

And the boss had a firm message for the fans as he was keen for that level of support to continue in order to make the EBB Stadium an imposing place for visiting teams to come.

“All I would say is keep it up, let’s get a few more there and let’s get the EBB rocking. Let’s create a real environment where they’ve got our backs when we need it and we’ll definitely have theirs when they need it.”

The Shots fans will have the chance to demonstrate their passion for the club and pay their respects to three members of the Aldershot Town ‘family’ who passed away over the Christmas period.

Former Shots defender Chris Barker and long-serving supporters Tony Brooker and Ron Boyd are expected to be honoured with a minute’s silence before Aldershot’s home game against Chorley at the EBB Stadium on January 18.

Barker, 39, made 89 appearances for the Shots between 2013 and 2016 and was caretaker manager for the last 15 games of the 2014-15 season.

Paying tribute, Shots chairman Shahid Azeem said: “We were all very jubilant on the way home from our game with Eastleigh when I heard the news that Chris Barker was no longer in this world. It was truly heartbreaking.

“There were no words that could describe how I felt. Chris was a tremendous professional who was instrumental in our National League survival and played a pivotal role on and off the pitch.

“The football family have lost a true professional. Sincere condolences to Chris’ family and friends.”