Congratulations to Ollie Harfield who made his 100th Aldershot Town appearance in yesterday’s defeat to Rochdale, becoming the latest Shots Centurion.
Harfield joined the Shots in the summer of 2022 as Mark Molesley brought in another of his AFC Bournemouth Academy graduates, the defender made the first of his Shots appearances in the opening day defeat to Solihull Moors.
It wasn’t the result he’d have wanted to start his Shots career with, but he did manage to get the first of many assists, providing the cross for Inih Effiong.
Though Harfield hasn’t scored for the Shots in his 100 appearances, he’s certainly racked up a considerable tally of assists in the last two and a bit seasons and his pinpoint crosses from the left flank or setpieces have become a trademark of his game.
Harfield was on course to feature in every game of the 22/23 season, but an injury against Barnet in late February saw him forced into a spell on the sidelines. He made his return in Tommy Widdrington’s first game as Aldershot Town Manager, in a 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town where he added to his assist tally as his corner was headed home by Tyler Cordner.
He missed a midweek trip to Wealdstone but made 44 appearances that season in all competitions.
The 23/24 season saw Widdrington move Harfield into the left side of his back three, having spent the vast majority of his career as a left back/left wingback, but his seemingly more defensive role wouldn’t diminish his goal contributions.
Still frequenting set-pieces and constantly providing an overlapping or underlapping outlet down the left flank, Harfield’s trademark crossing ability and magical left foot was still very much an offensive weapon for the Shots.
His performances for the Shots and role in our historical FA Cup run received international recognition as England C Manager Paul Fairclough called Harfield up to his England C squad to face Wales C in March 2024.
Harfield played all 90 minutes of the defeat to Wales C and also featured, got an assist, and was chosen as the Non-League Lion’s Man of the Match as they beat Nepal at the EBB Stadium in what was a special fixture for the town of Aldershot.
More impressively, Harfield didn’t miss a single minute of action for the Shots during the 23/24 season, featuring in all 53 games and 4770 minutes (discounting added time) of action; a feat recognised not only by Shots supporters as he claimed the Arthur English Fans Player of the Year award, but also with a place in the Vanarama’s National League Team of the Season and the Vanarama National League Team of the Season!
The defender was named as Aldershot Town’s Vice Captain for the 24/25 season and led his side out on the opening day in a 3-3 draw with Forest Green Rovers, but an injury would see him miss out on repeating his ever-present record of the previous season in just the second game of the season.
His return to the side in a 4-3 win over Maidenhead United last weekend, ensured that his 100th appearance in the red and blue of Aldershot Town came yesterday, again wearing the armband and skippering the side.
Congratulations, Ollie. Here’s to many more!
