Aldershot Town F.C.’s historic 2025 FA Trophy victory has been commemorated in a unique way, with South Western Railway (SWR) naming one of its new Arterio trains the ‘Phoenix’ after the club’s emblem. The announcement coincides with the club’s preparations to defend the Isuzu FA Trophy next month, and celebrates a landmark moment in Aldershot’s football history.

The unveiling ceremony was led by Aldershot Town chairman Shahid Azeem and attended by players Dejan Tatek, Olly Scott, and Hady Ghandour, all members of the squad that lifted the trophy at Wembley Stadium. Joining them was lifelong fan and former Aldershot station manager David Josey, who played a key role in ensuring club flags were displayed at the station for fans travelling to the final. The club’s Phoenix mascot also took part in welcoming the train to the network.

Aldershot Town secured their first major cup win in May 2025, defeating Spennymoor Town 3-0 at Wembley. Jack Barham, Dan Ellison, and Josh Barrett scored in the second half, sparking celebrations across the Hampshire town and marking a historic moment for the club. The new train naming honours this achievement while highlighting the broader rollout of SWR’s Arterio fleet along the Farnham route, which now serves Aldershot station for the first time.

The Arterio trains offer passengers modern upgrades, including Wi-Fi, charging points at every seat, and enhanced comfort, representing a significant improvement across SWR’s suburban network. The naming of the Phoenix also reflects the strong community focus shared by both the railway and the football club, highlighting a partnership rooted in local pride and connectivity.

Shahid Azeem said:

“I’m honoured to join South Western Railway today and unveil the ‘Phoenix’ just in time to begin our defence of the Isuzu FA Trophy next month. Trains play a key role in bringing sports fans to the heart of the action they love, building excitement as they make their way to the big game. We saw the amazing impact the additional services provided by South Western Railway had in helping get fans to Wembley for our win early this year. It's great to strengthen this partnership further, and exciting to think of the Phoenix connecting even more fans to our club, bringing the community together to enjoy matches across the network.”

Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at SWR, added:

“One of the great joys of the railway is connecting people to the places that matter to them, making unforgettable memories possible for our customers. It was our pleasure to put on extra trains to help Aldershot Town fans get to the FA Trophy final at Wembley, and now we are celebrating that historic win by naming one of our new Arterio trains the ‘Phoenix’, after the club. The introduction of our new Arterio trains to the Farnham route, serving Aldershot and other stations for the first time, is another major milestone in their rollout. Customers love the Arterios and the increased capacity and comfort they bring.”

Image: South Western Railway