Dorking Wanderers’ Josh Barrett opens up on ‘weird’ Aldershot Town exit

Josh Barrett has admitted his departure from Aldershot Town “was a weird one” after revealing he never expected to leave the National League club this summer.

The 28-year-old joined National League South outfit Dorking Wanderers in May despite still being under contract at the EBB Stadium, bringing an end to a successful two-and-a-half-year spell with the Shots.

Barrett helped Aldershot lift the Isuzu FA Trophy at Wembley in 2025 and became one of the club’s standout performers, contributing more than 40 goals and assists during his time in Hampshire.

However, he admitted the club “didn’t have the same feel” last season before Marc White convinced him to make the move to Meadowbank.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed Non-League news you need, subscribe to The Non-League Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day.

Weird feeling

“Yeah, it was a bit of a weird one, really,” Barrett told BBC Radio Surrey. “We played Dorking last year in the FA Cup and I had some good conversations with Marc after the game.

“Then the manager [Tommy Widdrington] at Aldershot ended up leaving, which sort of threw me off a little bit.

“I think things were sort of going a bit wayward at Aldershot and it didn’t have the same feel to it as what it did previously.

“It’s genuinely a club that I love and loved being at. I’ve got a great connection there myself and I’ve been very lucky to have some good times there.

“But there was a weird sort of feeling. I think Marc sort of sniffed about that and heard it last year.

“He got in contact with Aldershot and put an offer in for me. Aldershot at the time turned it down and said there was no chance in it happening.

“Then probably the day after they lost to Torquay in the play-offs, he was in contact with me straight away.

“I think Aldershot had given him permission – I was quite surprised about it at the time.

“If anybody knows Marc, when he wants something to happen, he gets it to happen, that’s for sure.

“He didn’t stop. He was relentless with me, but also brilliant.

“I love the guy, to be honest, already. He’s been wicked with me, he’s looked after me and given me a brilliant contract.

“It’s an exciting club. There’s no two ways about it. And it’s got all the resources to be a real success.”

Right decision

There was plenty of upheaval at Aldershot during Barrett’s final season at the club.

As he mentions, Tommy Widdrington’s shock departure kick-started a period of change.

That was followed by the appointment of former Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman before Deane Wood completed his takeover as chairman from Shahid Azeem.

Coleman guided the Shots to National League safety but departed at the end of the season, paving the way for former player Scott Davies to return as manager.

However, while Barrett believes joining Dorking was the right move, he insists he never envisaged leaving Aldershot.

“Not really,” he said when asked if he expected to leave. “Everything really was sort of there for me.

“There’s obviously been a massive change there, which I hope works out for the best for them. I don’t know if it will, personally.

“I think that’s the sort of club where you need people around that understand the football club and know the football club.

“Obviously I knew Scotty [Scott Davies]. He’s a great guy as well and I wish him all the best.

“I hope he does really well because he’s a really good fellow. And I know he cares about the club.

“He’s one of them that will understand the club and I’m sure he’s put that on to the players.

“When you’ve been successful somewhere and had such great times at places, it’s really hard to say goodbye and leave.

“I didn’t properly get to say goodbye because it was all done over the summer.

“It was a weird one, but it was definitely the right decision for me to come here. I’m delighted to be here and definitely happy with my decision.”

READ MORE: Eastleigh bring in Sheffield Wednesday defender Reece Johnson on loan