Aldershot Town kick off their home league schedule on Saturday, 16th August, with a visit from Lincolnshire-based Boston United, who, due to circumstances beyond their control, will be beginning their Enterprise National League campaign at the EBB Stadium this weekend.
‘The Pilgrims’ enjoyed six seasons in the EFL before internal issues resulted in receiving a near-unprecedented double relegation in 2007. With impressive work behind the scenes achieving stability once more, a 17-year stint outside of the country’s top-five tiers ended in 2024, as the club beat Alfreton, Scunthorpe and Brackley Town on their way to play-off promotion.
With four wins in their final six matches, the club miraculously survived a likely relegation, eventually finishing 19th last term. Entering their second successive step-one season, Graeme Coughlan’s men will be looking to further improve upon their resurgent progression this upcoming campaign.
RECENT FORM
Due to circumstances surrounding scheduled opening day opponents Morecambe, Boston United are yet to begin their Enterprise National League campaign. Instead, a National League cup tie against Middlesbrough U21 was brought forward to last Saturday, where the Pilgrims emerged victorious, as they also did in midweek, beating reigning champions Leeds incredibly convincingly.
- 12/08/25 – Boston United 4-0 Leeds United U21 (Grist, Donnelly 2, Lankshear)
- 09/08/25 – Boston United 2-1 Middlesbrough U21 (John-Lewis, Donnelly)
- 02/08/25 – Boston United 6-0 Sheffield United U21 (Hill, Trialist, Lankshear, Donnelly 3)
- 29/07/25 – Cleethorpes 2-2 Boston United (Coyle, Waldock)
- 26/07/25 – Peterborough Sports 1-0 Boston United
Although occurring exclusively against development sides, new signing Kieren Donnelly has been in tremendous goalscoring form in August, scoring a hattrick from the bench in their final pre-season friendly, before racing to the top of the National League Cup scoring charts with three in two. The 24-year-old, who arrived from Halesowen in July after scoring 24 goals in the Southern League Central last season, has hit the ground running and will certainly be one to watch on the day.
IN THE DUGOUT
Although only stepping into first-team management in 2018, 50-year-old Graeme Coughlan has brought a wealth of EFL experience to Lincolnshire since his arrival in November 2024. Despite only today entering his first full-season with the Pilgrims, he is already an incredibly popular character around the club.
Born in Dublin, the former centre-back racked up over 500 professional appearances during his playing days, turning out for the likes of Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, and most notably, Plymouth Argyle. It was with the Pilgrims that Coughlan enjoyed his most successful spell, playing a key role in two promotions over four seasons — achievements that saw him named in the PFA Team of the Year twice.
Coughlan’s journey in management has had its ups and downs. Following retirement, he returned to football as a defensive coach with Bristol Rovers in December 2018, but quickly found himself thrust into the role of interim manager. He made an immediate impact, guiding the club to fourth place in League One by Christmas.
However, in a surprising mid-season switch, he left Rovers to take the reins at Mansfield Town in League Two — a move influenced by his desire to be closer to his home in Sheffield. His time with the Stags proved difficult, registering just four wins in 27 matches, and he was dismissed within a year.
After a respectable stint in charge of Newport County between 2022 and 2024, Coughlan took over at Boston United in the latter part of last year. With the club situated in 23rd place upon his arrival, the Irishman guided his new club to 44 points across the remaining 28 games, making them the fifth-best side in the division during his tenure.
With five wins from their remaining seven games securing one of step-one’s great modern escape acts, it is no surprise that Coughlan has the total backing of his patrons going into the new campaign.
MATCH HISTORY AND LAST TIME OUT
Despite both clubs enjoying success in the Conference during the early 2000s and later spending extended periods in the Football League, remarkably, Boston United and Aldershot Town had never crossed paths in a competitive match until last season.
They were originally destined to cross paths during Aldershot’s memorable title-winning campaign in 2007-08. However, Boston, who had been demoted from League Two, were dealt a rare double relegation due to severe financial troubles. As a result, the two sides missed each other entirely, and continued to do so for a further 17 years.
In the maiden meetings of 2024/25, Boston would come out on top overall. A 1-1 draw played out in Lincolnshire, which can be remembered not only by Josh Barrett’s 25-yard strike, but Marcus Dewhurst’s penalty double-save heroics at the Jakemans Community Stadium.
The Pilgrims won 2-1 late on during their first visit to North Hampshire in April, the Shots finding themselves caught in the crossfire of the club’s miraculous late-season escape. Tyler Frost’s cool finish on the stroke of half-time was cancelled out by James Gale, before Jai Rowe’s 91st minute winner sent the away section into raptures.
TICKET INFO
Tickets are available HERE, and are priced as follows, please note prices will increase at 10am on the day of the match, these are noted in brackets:
- ADULTS – £23 (£25)
- MILITARY PERSONNEL – £21 (£23)
- SENIOR (Over 66) – £21 (£23)
- DISABLED – £21 (£23)
- YOUNG PERSON (18-20) – £21 (£23)
- 15 AND UNDER – £8 (£10)
- UNDER 11 – FREE
- FAMILY TICKET (Two Adults, Three 15 and Under) – £48 (£52)
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 to 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
