Scott Davies returns ‘home’ as Aldershot Town boss after leaving Slough Town

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National League side Aldershot Town have appointed Scott Davies as their new boss, bringing an end to his eight-year association with Slough Town as a player and manager.

The 38-year-old joins the Shots after guiding the Rebels to National League South safety in each of his seasons in charge.

During that time, he established a reputation for player development and working effectively within a limited budget.

Davies described the move as a “full circle moment”, having first made his name at the Recreation Ground as a teenager.

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Opportunity

He spent three loan spells with Aldershot during his playing career and helped the club win promotion to League Two in 2007-08.

The move also brings to an end a 20-year playing career as Davies leaves his player-manager role at Slough.

This season, he has led the Rebels to 16th place and made 26 appearances in the competition.

In an extended interview with the club, Davies said: “I think if there was ever a club that I was going to leave Slough for, this was always going to be the one in truth.

“I’ve had conversations with other National League clubs in the past season where they’ve made approaches, but I’ve always kind of held on without wanting someone to lose their job.

“I’ve always held on for this opportunity and I’m delighted that I’ve been given the chance.

Itch

He added: “It wouldn’t have felt right if I was stood there at a different club. Holding that scarf up, in a weird way, it feels like home.

“Without this club, I wouldn’t be involved in the game today. It’s as simple as that.”

“I joined here at 19 years old. And it gave me a bit of a foothold within the game, kind of put me on the map.

“And then 19 years later, half my life later, I’m back. It’s a bit of a full circle moment; [a] surreal moment.

“Slough Town has been magnificent for me. I can’t speak highly enough of the board, the staff, the players, everything that comes with it.

“But sometimes you have that itch that you want to scratch. I think Aldershot Town is that itch and I needed to go and scratch it. So that’s why I’m here.”

Emotional exit

His departure marks the end of a significant spell with Slough.

He made 292 appearances as a player since joining in 2019, before stepping into the manager’s role during a turbulent period in November 2022.

Tasked with stabilising the club, Davies led a remarkable turnaround to secure survival in his first season.

He then guided the Rebels to a 10th-place finish the following campaign and maintained their National League South status throughout his tenure.

He also oversaw notable FA Cup runs and built a strong record for developing players, with several progressing up the pyramid after he recruited them from lower levels.

In a message to supporters, Davies reflected on his journey at Arbour Park.

“Slough will always be the place that allowed me to find my love for the game again once again after being ‘lost’ within it for so many years,” he said.

“I’d never managed a game in my life when I took over, but I learnt as quickly as I could and gave it my best shot.

“We’ve had some great moments together, but now I ask you to support the next chapter, just how you supported me. And, I know you will.”

CUP HEARTACHE: Scott Davies after Slough Town’s narrow FA Cup defeat to Gillingham in 2018

Proud

Slough CEO Ashley Smith admitted the move had felt inevitable given growing interest in his manager.

He said: “Scott is hugely ambitious, and to date, we have had several approaches for him.

“However, this was slightly different due to the nature of Scott’s emotional tie to Aldershot Town.

“I’m proud Scott has been our manager – we have backed him and always ensured he felt that.

“We wish Scott every success in his exciting new chapter. We now embark on our own new chapter, one that brings excitement and optimism as we look to find the next person to lead the club forward.”

Davies returns to a club where he enjoyed three loan spells as a player, playing a key role in their 2007-08 promotion-winning side and becoming a firm fan favourite.

Merit

He believes his work at Slough earned him the opportunity.

“I’m not naive enough to think that playing a few games for this football club and getting promoted to the football league is enough,” he said.

“I’d like to think that I’ve got the job on merit in terms of what we’ve done with Slough.

“Why I’ve been brought to this football club, I believe, is because I can work within a budget.

 “There’s no sort of getting away from that. The recruitment at Slough that we’ve done, we’ve sold six players in the past 14, 15 months that have all come from sort of Step 3 and Step 4.

“I think being relatable, being a young manager as well. I think the players probably crave that interaction.”

Experience

Aldershot have also confirmed the appointment of former Oxford City, Hemel Hempstead and Banbury United head coach Mark Jones as assistant manager, with Davies highlighting the importance of trust and experience in his backroom team.

“I’m delighted to bring Mark Jones (Jonah) in as assistant manager,” he said. “Jonah and I have worked together at Oxford City whilst he was my manager and is someone that I can trust wholeheartedly.

“I know that with his experience in coaching, he will be able to deliver exactly what is required in order to get the best out of the squad that we build.

“He comes with a wealth of experience in the game and will be perfect for me in my first role as a full-time manager.”

Davies now faces the challenge of reshaping a Shots side that secured National League safety this season but finished the campaign in poor form under John Coleman.

The former Accrington Stanley boss signed off with a home defeat to bottom side Truro City, leaving Aldershot on a run of five straight losses and six games without a win to end the 2025/26 season.

Davies said the club have already identified several areas that need to improve, and he is “looking forward to working hard this summer” to address them.

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