Alfy Is Providing The Shots' Answers With A Very Special Story

Professional footballers. Sometimes it feels that it's perhaps only politicians who get a harder time than those who lace up their boots for a living.

If you haven’t got good knowledge of the game, it’s fashionable for many to dig out full-time players - usually because they are earning for doing something that they love.

At home by 2pm and paid well to put a ball in the back of the net, there’s no barbs a pro hasn’t heard.

But if you know anyone who thinks being a footballer is an easy life full of reward, then maybe you should introduce them to Alfy Whittingham.

His story has been told by sponsors Vanarama - and it would change the views of anyone and inspire those looking to make their name.

On Saturday he scored the winning goal against Notts County. But he isn’t getting paid a penny to play.

“I actually approached the manager Danny Searle in the summer directly,” said the 21-year-old, with Hungerford Town last season. “I sent him a little video to show him what I could do. If you don’t try, you will never get anywhere. Anything is worth a go.

“I knew it was a real off chance he would be interested but then he asked me to come down on trial. He actually liked me but said there was a problem - his budget was all spent.

“It turned out actually not to be a problem. I’m just at the club for expenses, and I’m more than happy with that.

“I’m lucky because I work in a gym after we finish football so I’ve got two jobs! I work most days there until 10pm - I help run classes, I love fitness and I love being busy so I get the best of both worlds really.

“There’s not much time for a social life. Sleeping is my social life! But I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and to do that you need to make sacrifices.

“Every season I have managed to go up a level. It started really for me at AFC Portchester, then AFC Totton with a few spells at Havant in between. I just want to get as high as I can and you need to work hard and take every chance you are given.

“Aldershot have offered me this amazing opportunity to be a part of a great club and I’m going to grab it with both hands.”

A reason, perhaps, behind his big celebration after scoring his first goal against Maidenhead United and, of course, his very special moment at the weekend.

“That’s why it meant so much to me,” he added. “I loved it and you could tell I enjoyed it I think!

“I know I have you have to really get your head down and that’s what I’ve been trying to do. The way I see it is that the club have taken a chance on me and I need to give it everything I can.

“Nothing beats scoring a goal. It’s such a rush but I don’t want to stop there. Hopefully the manager can see how determined I am and he won’t think twice about giving me another chance.”

The Shots excellent recovery after their six-goal hiding against Dagenham drew plenty of praise from manager Searle.

But tonight comes another test away to another promotion contender, Yeovil Town.

“In these type of situations you either implode or you roll up your sleeves,” the manager said after perhaps unexpected success against Notts.

“Now we want to build on that and really put what happened at Dagenham in the past.”

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