DOWSE DELIVERS THE LOWE DOWN
ALDERSHOT face a battle with Stevenage if they want to lure Jamal Lowe to the club – but the Hampton & Richmond Borough attacker has been told to just keep smiling!
The Shots are after a player who helped fire the Beavers to the Ryman Premier title last season but The NLP understands they are still a way off meeting Hampton’s valuation.
The Shots’ interest in Lowe would have only increased last weekend when he put them to the sword, winning a penalty and setting up another, as Alan Dowson’s side confirmed Aldershot's third straight pre-season defeat.
Gary Waddock could have only been impressed by the 22-year- old, but Dowson might have preferred his counterpart to see Lowe in action in another friendly at Met Police on Tuesday night.
“He was abysmal when he came on, ” said the Beveree boss. “Hopefully, a few scouts would have seen that and reported back!
“But, in all seriousness, Jamal is a good player who we don’t want to lose.
“He was excellent for us last season and we want him with us in the National League South.
“I haven’t heard anything official. I hear clubs are keen on him but so are we.
He is under contract here and we think highly of him.
“I don’t know who wants him or how serious they are but he is our player.”
Released from Barnet and from Hemel Hempstead, Lowe has thrived in south west London and enjoys his wide role in Hampton’s exciting 4-2-1-2-1 formation employed by the manager.
The pair are close, but the love affair took a while to get started.
Unbelievable
“When he first arrived at the club last season, I told him ‘God you’re a miserable so and so… smile a little bit!” added Dowson.
“I tell you what. From that moment on, he did.
“I never saw him anything but happy. He took it onto the pitch and was unbelievable for us. It’s no wonder he is being watched.
“If he keeps smiling, keeps working on his game and stays in the place he is now, he’ll be an even better player.”
Stevenage are also considering an approach, but Hampton chairman Steve McPherson confirmed the club's valuation has yet to be met by anyone.
The Beavers’ return to the second tier of Non-League football starts at Bishop’s Stortford, while Aldershot begin at Barrow.