Aldershot Town are delighted to appoint former Dundee and Alloa Athletic boss Barry Smith as the Club’s new First-Team Manager on a one year rolling contract.
The Club are also pleased to confirm that Caretaker Manager Chris Barker will remain at the Club, in the role of Player-Assistant Manager, alongside Coach Matt Gray.
41 year-old Smith brings seven years of managerial experience to the Electrical Services Stadium, backed by the highest coaching qualification in European football, the UEFA Pro Licence, a record of success in adversity and a reputation for developing young talent.
Barry left Scottish Championship side Alloa Athletic in March after leading them to the 2015 Petrofac Training Cup Final in a run which included semi-final victory against Glasgow Rangers.
Shots Chairman, Shahid Azeem, said: “Barry is ambitious, shares our desire to see entertaining football back at Aldershot Town, and has great experience of developing young players. I know supporters will join us in welcoming him to The Shots and we really look forward to working with him.”
Smith said: “I see Aldershot Town as a great club with the same aspirations as myself. I want to be successful and so does ATFC. It felt an ideal fit. The team are playing below par at the moment but if we have a great season we can get into the Play-Offs. We are looking to build a new squad, and we have to build slowly, but we want to put out a team that makes Aldershot proud.
“It would be a great achievement to reach the Play-Offs next season and ultimately we want to take the Club back to the Football League. The fans will be proud of this team, but we need everyone working together – the fans, the management and the team.
“We’ve got a great pitch out there and it’s one that deserves good football. I want to get the ball down and pass, we have to be positive and attack-minded in the way we play.”
Full interviews with Barry Smith, Chris Barker and Director Brian Bloomfield will be on ShotsTV this afternoon.
