Shots miss out on sstriker – but snap up keeper
New keeper atones for boss’ striker setback
ANDY SCOTT admits missing out on striker target Charlie Strutton was a setback – but insists he is still on course to build a competitive squad at Aldershot Town this season.
Boss Scott has revealed that a deal was agreed in principle to sign the former AFC Wimbledon front man, only for Braintree Town to steal in at the last minute and take advantage of a delay in carrying out a medical.
Strutton, 25, made an instant impact at the Electrical Services Stadium on loan from the Dons back in November, but his Shots cameo was to last just 45 minutes before he was stretchered off with ankle ligament damage in the 5-1 win over Southport. He hasn’t kicked a ball since.
But, following his release from Kingsmeadow this summer, Strutton returned to re-enter into talks with Scott before eventually agreeing a permanent deal on the proviso he passed his medical when he was fit enough to take it.
However, with the medical imminent, Strutton then revealed he was to join Braintree Town instead, agreeing terms to a one-year deal.
Scott explained: “We agreed a deal with Charlie and he was one I wanted to bring in. We’d worked with Wimbledon throughout his rehab so knew what he was capable of and wanted to wait until he was capable of passing the medical that this club requires.
“Unfortunately, it seems he has listened to an agent looking to make money out of an injured player and he’s decided to take the money at Braintree.
“Charlie is nowhere near fit and it made no sense to carry out the medical just yet. I don’t want to risk spending the club’s finances on a player who can’t even run.
“Yes, it’s disappointing, but I’m not going to lose any sleep over it. These things happen in football these days so we just move on.”
Thanfully, however, Scott did manage to get his man this week when snapping up experienced goalkeeper Paul Smith, from Portsmouth.
The 34 year-old arrives after 18 months at Fratton Park, which followed spells at Swindon Town and Crawley Town.
Smith said: “Straight away, I was interested in signing. It’s always seemed like a nice place to come and play.
“I’ve played here a few times and always thought that I’d like to be involved at some point. When I was in the Conference, it was one of the places that you wanted to play.”
Smith was one of SEVEN goalkeepers who have been put through their paces at the Bourley Road training complex this week – all looking to get the chance to impress when the Shots open their pre-season account against Chelsea Under 21s night Friday night.
Scott added: “Phil was somebody that we tried to sign on loan last year and he jumped at the chance.
“He’s still desperate to play and we’ve finally got him. His distribution is good, he talks well, he’s got physical presence, and stands the game.
“There’s an aura about him that will hopefully calm our defenders and know that they’ve got somebody assured behind them.”
Smith will now team up alongside defenders Jaydon Gibbs and Anthony Tonkin after both signed extended contracts this week.
The full-backs are the final players from last season’s squad to commit their futures and join Chris Barker, Joe Oastler, Jordan Roberts, Mark Molesley, Brett Williams, Josh Scott and Tristan Plummer in penning new deals.
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