We’re pleased to confirm that Alan Dowson has joined The Shots as a First-Team Coach.
‘Dowse’, as he is known by most, has been working with the first-team since they returned to training ahead of the 25/26 season.
The 55-year-old’s playing career saw him make over 50 Football League appearances for the likes of Millwall, Fulham, Bradford and Darlington, before spells with Slough, Gateshead and Walton & Hersham.
Becoming Player/Manager of Walton & Hersham in 2004, Dowse spent just over two years in a successful first spell in management before joining Kingstonian.
In a seven-year spell with the K’s, Dowse led them to promotion to the Isthmian Premier in his second full season before missing out on back-to-back promotions in the playoff final. In his final season, another playoff finish fell short of promotion in the semi-final.
After a short spell away from the game, he joined Hampton & Richmond where he guided them to the Isthmian Premier Division title during the 2015/16 season. After almost four years with Hampton & Richmond, Dowse moved on to Woking and achieved another promotion with a new club as he led them to the National League in his first season with a playoff win, going on to spend four years with Woking.
A two-year spell with Dartford followed, before his most recent spell on the touchline as Interim Manager of Hemel Hempstead.
On Dowse joining his coaching staff, Tommy Widdrington said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Dowse to our coaching team here at Aldershot Town.”
“He’ll bring a wealth of experience to us that will help on the training ground and in games but also behind the scenes where the contacts and relationships he has formed from a distinguished career in the game so far will prove beneficial to our Club.”
“We are obviously aware of the time Dowse spent down the road, but I am sure the Shots fans will be much more welcoming when he takes his place in the right dugout this time!”
