After 2 ½ years, 112 matches, 58 wins, two trophies and with legendry status safely achieved Gary Waddock has decided to move to Adams Park to seek a new challenge with Wycombe Wanderers.
The League One side have moved quickly to acquire the 47 year-old to replace former England under-21 manager Peter Taylor.
Just one win from their first twelve matches saw Taylor ousted from his position as manager, but in truth their struggle in the division was expected.
The manner in which Wycombe won promotion last season was enough of a sign of how they’d get on this as they stumbled over the line on the final day of the season.
Just a point on the final day at home to Notts County would have assured the club automatic promotion, but a 2-1 defeat meant Bury could snatch that third automatic promotion spot with a two-goal win over Accrington Stanley.
The shakers could only secure a single goal victory, which meant a venture into the playoff lottery and semi-final tie with Shrewsbury Town who defeated them after being just two minutes from an appearance at Wembley.
But as for Wycombe it was obvious there was a struggle to come and loosing influential defender David McCracken in the summer did nothing to improve their chances.
Waddock does have a pedigree of recent success in his short career as a manager, completing a league and cup double in his first full season in charge of the Shots in 2008
Maybe even more impressively, and with only minor changes, he turned the Conference champions into a comfortable League Two outfit inside just a season and before his departure the club looked set to mount a serious playoff challenge in this new term.
His departure from the post is sure to put talk of a playoff finish on hold as the search for a new manager begins and there are a number of names already in the frame.
Names from Steve Coppell to Tony Adams have been mentioned for the vacant managerial position, with some supporters leaning towards Stevenage manager Graeme Westley.
His success with Stevenage during his first spell at Broadhall Way is proof enough that he could tackle League Two football, that despite his inability to win promotion from the Conference with the same club.
The Rec would provide a home devoid of much expectation and knowing the clubs illustrious past, the new manager would be given plenty of time to get things right.
Waddock’s departure is the third big loss the club has had to endure in the past few months, and it could turn out to be the most significant.
After constant speculation as to his future, goalkeeper Nikki Bull chose to leave the club at the end of July, seeking an alternative career outside football.
Bull, who had targeted a career in journalism as light relief from the beautiful game, signed for Andy Scott’s Brentford three days later much to the despair of Aldershot fans.
A further blow to the club came in late August as it was announced that their Chairman John McGinty had lost his long running battle with cancer.
McGinty joined the club in 1992 and he oversaw five separate promotions as the club climbed into the football league.
His role in recent times has been slightly reserved as his illness started to take a hold of him, but his presence at the club was enough that the fans admiration of him was on a par with any of the club’s players.
Three huge losses in three months has damaged the club massively and it’s down to the new manager to instil the belief that the club can live on following the departure of three legendry figures.
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