Latest news with #TommyWiddrington
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Why BBC Strictly Come Dancing star chose dancing over football
As the son of a much-loved footballer, Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington seemed destined to follow in his father's professional dancer lived in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, for much of his childhood as his dad Tommy Widdrington, Aldershot Town FC's current manager, played for Port Vale his time in the city, Widdrington (Kai) joined the club's academy and said he wanted to be a "star footballer" just like his that trajectory changed when his parents decided their son, who admitted to being a "hyperactive" youngster, needed another outlet. Widdrington told BBC Radio Stoke he lived next door to some ballroom dance teachers and he joined their class, but it took a while for him to fall in love with said: "I really didn't like it that much, until they got me a partner and we started doing competitions, so there was a competitive side to it." That competitive drive overcame any potential inhibitions he might have felt about performing while "wearing sparkles or Cuban heels"."I needed to do what I needed to do to win. It was about winning for me," he said the "lightbulb" moment came when he was listening to his dad's music on the way to football practice and would think about the dances that went with each song."I just loved it that bit more than more football, although I had a really promising football career ahead of me as a teenager," he the family moved back to Southampton, where he was born, Widdrington played alongside future Premier League stars, including Luke Shaw and Alex he gave up a potential future place at Southampton FC, choosing instead to pursue a career as a professional dancer. Widdrington said he remembered his time in Stoke-on-Trent with affection, having lived there through his primary school years."I have fond memories of being in Stoke," he said. "It was so much fun. I had great friends and had a really great childhood growing up there."Widdrington is currently touring his dance show, Evolution, and will return to Strictly Come Dancing later in the year for his fifth season as a professional his time on the BBC show, he said: "It is life-changing but especially as a British lad growing up in Stoke-on-Trent. "It's a real full-circle moment for me," he added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aldershot end 99-year Wembley wait with sunshine and champagne showers
It took Aldershot 99 years and two football clubs to reach Wembley and for almost exactly as many minutes on a sun-kissed May afternoon they made themselves entirely at home there, outnumbering their opponents in the stands and outplaying them on the pitch on their way to claiming their first FA Trophy. Second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett earned the National League side a 3-0 win over Spennymoor Town of the National League North, and secured for their manager, Tommy Widdrington, a dream end to a season temporarily derailed when he had two strokes in November. Widdrington was back in the dugout in less than two months having acquired, as he put it in the buildup to this game, 'a certain sense of perspective'. This was an excellent, mature performance, whatever way you look at it. 'People will forget about me. That's what happens in football. But they'll never forget how I've made them feel, how my team's made them feel,' Widdrington said. 'Football's a tough old industry. It kicks you up the backside a lot more than it pats you on the back. I'm going to enjoy being patted on the back the next few days.' For Aldershot, who sprang from the ashes of Aldershot FC in 1992, this was an emphatic win but, from the moment they accidentally left two members of their starting XI behind when they set off for Wembley, not a completely carefree one. Spennymoor had beaten three National League sides on their way to Wembley and there were moments when they threatened another upset, notably creating the best chance of the opening half only for Rob Ramshaw to send a miserably meek shot rolling into Marcus Dewhurst's arms from eight yards. 'Nine times out of 10 he'd have put that in the back of the net,' said Graeme Lee, the Spennymoor manager. 'We've had our moments throughout this cup run, and today we didn't take them.' The game shifted three minutes after the interval when James Henry ran down the right and crossed, and though the ball arrived slightly behind Barham he somehow contorted his leg into a position to get some kind of contact on it. His touch turned out to be perfect, sending it rolling gently but unstoppably into the corner of the net. 'That goal changed everything,' said Lee. 'It deflated us and took the energy out of us a little bit, and we couldn't get back into it.' Aldershot arrived in poor form, having won just one game since Barnham's last-minute goal earned them a 2-1 win over 10-man Woking in the semi-finals. But once in front they played with the cocksure strut of champions and in the 71st minute Ellison glanced in a header from a corner to make the game all but safe. Three minutes from time Barrett, their player of the season, produced the kind of goal all players dream of scoring in this stadium, a splendid left-footed volley from the edge of the area that dipped over James and into the corner of the net. Tyler Frost and Maxwell Mullins both missed chances to score a fourth as the Moors flung themselves forward in search of consolation. Earlier Jamie Coyle, centre-back, two-time (Seniors) World Cup-winner, Whitstable player-manager and playing his final competitive game just days before his 42nd birthday, led his team from the back to a 2-1 victory over Whyteleafe in the FA Vase final, decided after extra time when, on a balmy, sun-kissed afternoon at Wembley, Leafe finally wilted. Whyteleafe, another phoenix club, have enjoyed remarkable success since their creation in 2021 and when Daniel Bennett gave them a 17th-minute lead they seemed set for still more. But Whitstable have now lost only two of their past 28 games – and one of those was on penalties – and they fought back to eventually turn over the new Leafe. Daniel Colmer produced a couple of outstanding saves to keep his side in the game before the Oystermen finally came out of their shell in the second half, and seven minutes into it their top scorer, Harvey Smith, equalised from 20 yards, running on to Nathan Jeche's precise pass and wrongfooting George Hill, who let the ball whistle just a yard or so to his right. Leafe repeatedly threatened to steal victory but it was Whitstable who claimed it: in the 97th minute Albie O'Mara-Knapp crossed from the right and Ronald Sithole somehow scuffed his shot into a post. But he made up for it three minutes later when he ran on to the same player's long punt forward, reclaimed the ball after Hill saved his initial effort, worked a better angle for a shot, and lashed into the roof of the net.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Aldershot end 99-year Wembley wait with sunshine and champagne showers
It took Aldershot 99 years and two football clubs to reach Wembley and for almost exactly as many minutes on a sun-kissed May afternoon they made themselves entirely at home there, outnumbering their opponents in the stands and outplaying them on the pitch on their way to claiming their first FA Trophy. Second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett earned the National League side a 3-0 win over Spennymoor Town of the National League North, and secured for their manager Tommy Widdrington a dream end to a season temporarily derailed when he suffered two strokes in November. Widdrington was back in the dugout in less than two months having acquired, as he put it in the buildup to this game, 'a certain sense of perspective'. This was an excellent, mature performance, whatever way you look at it. 'People will forget about me. That's what happens in football. But they'll never forget how I've made them feel, how my team's made them feel,' Widdrington said. 'Football's a tough old industry. It kicks you up the backside a lot more than it pats you on the back. I'm going to enjoy being patted on the back the next few days.' For Aldershot, who sprung from the ashes of Aldershot FC in 1992, this was an emphatic win but, from the moment they accidentally left two members of their starting XI behind when they set off for Wembley, not a completely carefree one. Spennymoor had beaten three National League sides on their way to Wembley and there were moments when they threatened another upset, notably creating the best chance of the opening half only for Rob Ramshaw to send a miserably meek shot rolling into Marcus Dewhurst's arms from eight yards. 'Nine times out of 10 he'd have put that in the back of the net,' said Graeme Lee, the Moors' manager. 'We've had our moments throughout this cup run, and today we didn't take them.' The game shifted three minutes after the interval when James Henry ran down the right and crossed, and though the ball arrived slightly behind Barham he somehow contorted his leg into a position to get some kind of contact on it. His touch turned out to be perfect, sending it rolling gently but unstoppably into the corner of the net. 'That goal changed everything,' said Lee. 'It deflated us and took the energy out of us a little bit, and we couldn't get back into it.' Aldershot arrived in poor form, having won just one game since Barnham's last-minute goal earned them a 2-1 win over 10-man Woking in the semi-finals. But once in front they played with the cocksure strut of champions, and in the 71st minute Ellison glanced in a header from a corner to make the game all but safe. Three minutes from time Barrett, their player of the season, produced the kind of goal all players dream of scoring in this stadium, a splendid left-footed volley from the edge of the area that dipped over James and into the corner of the net. Both Tyler Frost and Maxwell Mullins missed chances to score a fourth as the Moors flung themselves forward in search of consolation. Earlier Jamie Coyle, centre-half, two-time (Seniors) World Cup-winner, Whitstable player-manager and playing his final competitive game just days before his 42nd birthday, led his team from the back to a 2-1 victory over AFC Whyteleafe in the FA Vase final, decided after extra time when, on a balmy, sun-kissed afternoon at Wembley, Leafe finally wilted. Whyteleafe, another phoenix club, have enjoyed remarkable success since their creation in 2021 and when Daniel Bennett gave them a 17th-minute lead they seemed set for still more. But Whitstable have now lost only two of their last 28 games – and one of those was on penalties – and they fought back to eventually turn over the new Leafe. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Daniel Colmer produced a couple of outstanding saves to keep his side in the game before the Oystermen finally came out of their shell in the second half, and seven minutes into it top-scorer Harvey Smith equalised from 20 yards, running on to Nathan Jeche's precise pass and wrongfooting George Hill, who let the ball whistle just a yard or so to his right. Leafe repeatedly threatened to steal victory but it was Whitstable who eventually claimed it: in the 97th minute Albie O'Mara-Knapp crossed from the right and Ronald Sithole somehow scuffed his shot into a post, but he made up for it three minutes later when he ran on to the same player's long punt forward, reclaimed the ball after Hill saved his initial effort, worked a better angle for a shot and lashed into the roof of the net.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Premier League star who was rushed to hospital after having two strokes wins triumphant Wembley final
A new champion was also crowned in the FA Vase at Wembley earlier on The beautiful game Former Premier League star who was rushed to hospital after having two strokes wins triumphant Wembley final FORMER Premier League star Tommy Widdrington celebrated triumph at Wembley as his Aldershot Town side beat Spennymoor 3-0 in the FA Trophy final. Widdrington, 53, said there was "not a prouder person in the stadium" after three second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett saw them secure victory. Advertisement 4 Aldershot Town FC lifted the FA Trophy for the first time in their history Credit: Getty 4 Former Southampton defender and Aldershot manager Tommy Widdrington suffered two strokes at the end of last year Credit: PA 4 Widdrington said there was 'no one in the stadium prouder' as he lifted the Cup with son, Theo Credit: Getty 4 Josh Barrett, one of three second-half goalscorers, said the team would 'party hard' Credit: Getty The ex-Southampton ace recovered from two strokes suffered at the end of last year to stand at the home of football and lift the Cup with the National League outfit, winning their first trophy since 2008. Widdrington told BBC Sport: "There is not a prouder person in this stadium, I'm very appreciative of the support I've had during my health problems and the people of Aldershot have been incredible. "To finish the year I had with this moment is great, this final is the best of the teams outside the top four divisions, it's no mean feat to win this. "I'm made up for the lads and Wembley is about winning, if you don't win it then it has to be the worst feeling in the world, the players have their names in the history books of the club, I'm delighted." Advertisement Goalscorer Barrett added to the broadcaster that the team would "party hard" and reserved special praise to the manager and the fans. He called on the owners to back Widdrington with some money to make them "a League Two team in no time". The 26-year-old said: "It's crazy, I can't believe these scenes. "We didn't really execute the game plan in the first half but in the second half we dominated, that finish was one I knew was coming, I always try things and that's who I am. Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "The fans deserve this, give our manager some money and we will be a League Two team in no time, let's hope we can get back up that table next season. "I've loved every minutes of being here, the fans have accepted me and we're going to party tonight, party hard!" Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at Wembley Aldershot finished 16th in the National League this season. Advertisement Meanwhile, Whitstable Town came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the FA Vase earlier on. It was the Southern Counties side's first ever time winning the trophy, with their previous best run in the competition being the fifth round in the 1996-97 season.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Premier League star who was rushed to hospital after having two strokes wins triumphant Wembley final
FORMER Premier League star Tommy Widdrington celebrated triumph at Wembley as his Aldershot Town side beat Spennymoor 3-0 in the FA Trophy final. Widdrington, 53, said there was "not a prouder person in the stadium" after three second-half goals from Jack Barham, Dan Ellison and Josh Barrett saw them secure victory. 4 4 4 4 The ex-Southampton ace recovered from two strokes suffered at the end of last year to stand at the home of football and lift the Cup with the National League outfit, winning their first trophy since 2008. Widdrington told BBC Sport: "There is not a prouder person in this stadium, I'm very appreciative of the support I've had during my health problems and the people of Aldershot have been incredible. "To finish the year I had with this moment is great, this final is the best of the teams outside the top four divisions, it's no mean feat to win this. "I'm made up for the lads and Wembley is about winning, if you don't win it then it has to be the worst feeling in the world, the players have their names in the history books of the club, I'm delighted." Goalscorer Barrett added to the broadcaster that the team would "party hard" and reserved special praise to the manager and the fans. He called on the owners to back Widdrington with some money to make them "a League Two team in no time". The 26-year-old said: "It's crazy, I can't believe these scenes. "We didn't really execute the game plan in the first half but in the second half we dominated, that finish was one I knew was coming, I always try things and that's who I am. "The fans deserve this, give our manager some money and we will be a League Two team in no time, let's hope we can get back up that table next season. "I've loved every minutes of being here, the fans have accepted me and we're going to party tonight, party hard!" Aldershot finished 16th in the National League this season. Meanwhile, Whitstable Town came from behind to beat AFC Whyteleafe 2-1 in the FA Vase earlier on. It was the Southern Counties side's first ever time winning the trophy, with their previous best run in the competition being the fifth round in the 1996-97 season.
