Rovers will make 10 trips to the South-East of England during our 2024/25 Vanarama National League campaign. 

Here we visit Rovers closest trips to the South-East as we take a look at Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United, Woking and Sutton United. 

ALDERSHOT TOWN - ‘THE SHOTS’ 

Founded in 1992 following the dissolvement of Aldershot FC, Aldershot Town wasted no time in climbing the leagues reaching the Conference in 2003 before winning it five years later. 

Their stay in the Football League lasted just five years as they were relegated back to the National League in 2013 and are now preparing for their 11th season at this level. 

NARROW MISSES 

The Shots had a season to remember almost last time around missing out on the National League Play-offs by just two points following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day. 

Aside from missing out of the play-offs, Tommy Widdrington lead his side to a memorable FA Cup run reaching the third round. 

The Shots stunned League Two Swindon Town 7-4 and shocked Stockport County 1-0 to set up a trip to The Hawthorns to take on Championship outfit West Brom, who ended their run winning 4-1. 

SHOTS’ DEN 

The Shots following has always been impressive - even to catch the eye of a well-known Dragon. 

Dragons Den star Peter Jones has been seen to follow the Shots from a far following connections to a local business in the Aldershot area. 

MAIDENHEAD UNITED - ‘THE MAGPIES’ 

Founded in 1870, Maidenhead United are one of the oldest clubs in England but didn’t reach the fifth tier of English Football until 2017.  

Next season will see the first league meeting between Rovers and the Magpies with the only other meeting coming back in 2010 during an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie which Rovers saw out 1-0. 

LAST SEASON 

Alan Devonshire, the oldest manager (68) in the league, led his side to their joint-third highest finish in the National League as they achieved 14th place. 

That finish could have been higher, but the Magpies suffered an unwanted dry spell failing to score a goal for seven games between August and September last year. 

STAR PLAYER - REECE SMITH 

When the Magpies were firing, their main man was left winger and one of their own, Reece Smith. 

The 22-year-old came through the Magpies academy in 2020 and last season found the net 11 times whilst also recording four assists. 

ENTERTAINING FANS 

As the club’s main focus is on its surrounding community one of their more well-known residents can been seen following the club at many home games. 

80’s children entertainer Timmy Mallett, best known for ‘The Wide Awake Club’ and appearances on ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ and ‘Big Brother’, can be found cheering on his beloved Magpies at York Road. 

WOKING - ‘THE CARDS’ 

Woking is one of the most faced clubs in the league for Rovers having met the Cards on 19 occassions  with the last meeting being an enthralling 4-3 victory for Rovers back in 2017. 

Former Rovers assistant manager Michael Doyle, who served under Ian Burchnall, has undertaken his first managerial job at Woking after being appointed in December. 

SURVIVAL ON THE CARDS 

After Darren Sarll was dismissed in November last year following a poor run of form which saw the side in the bottom four, Doyle was called in to steer the Cards away from relegation. 

Doyle secured a 17th place finish, three points above the drop zone, keeping the Cards in the National League for a sixth season. 

VOICE OF THE NATION 

Legendary commentator, Martin Tyler, is one of Woking’s most well-known and famous supporters attending his first match when he was eight years old. 

Years later he went on to play for the Cards before also getting the chance to be a part of the coaching staff between 2018 and 2022.  

SUTTON UNITED- ‘THE U’S’ 

Many fans will know Sutton well having battled them throughout the League Two campaign last time around and suffering the same fate of relegation. 

Other than spending three years in League Two the U’s are best known for their remarkable 2016-17 FA Cup campaign knocking out Rovers, Cheltenham Town, AFC Wimbledon and Leeds United before welcoming Arsenal to Gander Green Lane. 

FIGHT TILL THE END 

The U’s spent the majority of the season in and around the relegation zone with Rovers before finally having their fate sealed on the final day. 

But Steve Morison’s side showed signs of fight suffering just one defeat in their final eight games before returning to the National League. 

The U’s also enjoyed a few cup runs reaching the third round in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup but were defeated by Plymouth Argyle (FA) and Port Vale (Carabao). 

FUNNY FANS 

The U’s most recognisable supporter is comedian and actor, Tim Vine, who at every possible time promotes his club by wearing their shirt or talking about when on shows. 

But Vine’s most well-known act would be when he went viral for an anthem he wrote for the U’s ahead of their 2022 EFL Trophy final against Rotherham United.