ALDERSHOT manager Mark Molesley expressed sympathy for Weymouth after the Shots’ late 1-0 win over the Terras, adding: “It’s a club dear in my heart”.

Molesley initially managed Weymouth as caretaker boss from April 2017, taking the job permanently later that summer before leaving for Southend in August 2020.

What followed was one of the most successful periods in the club’s history as the ex-Bournemouth midfielder gained back-to-back promotions to the National League, winning the Southern League title along the way.

And Molesley revealed he allowed himself a rare moment to take stock of his achievements upon his first trip back to the Bob Lucas Stadium.

READ MORE: Weymouth 0-1 Aldershot Town - match report

Speaking to Echosport after Brandon Goodship’s 92nd-minute own goal handed Molesley’s new side victory, he said: “Three points and a clean sheet, I’m obviously very happy.

“Commiserations to Weymouth, it’s a club dear in my heart and we’ve had such special moments here for me, my staff and my players.

“It ended on the biggest high we could’ve had, securing a double promotion and winning on penalties in the play-offs.

“I never got to say goodbye, I thanked the players over the phone – I never got to see them. It was a really, really tough decision for me.

“It hurt more than anyone will ever know. There’s great people here, people who I’ll never forget. It was a special time.

“It’s not often in football you have a special bond with a group of players, fans and the people behind the scenes. We certainly had that and it’s a time I’ll never forget and (will) cherish forever.”

He added: “This is the first time I’ve ever been back, so coming back through the gates it was almost like: ‘I used to do this every week’.

“It was such a memorable time in my life, but football moves on quick, so you never get a chance to gather your thoughts and feelings, it moves on quickly.

“I certainly don’t allow myself any time to sit back and reminisce, it’s always about what’s next but I think I could be forgiven for taking stock a little bit when I stood around here, taking it all in again.”

Retaining an iconic status amongst Weymouth fans, the Terras’ support gave Molesley a warm reception upon his return.

“That was very kind of them,” he admitted. “We had a special relationship with what they saw on the pitch and what we saw off the pitch – it went hand in hand.

“I’ll never forget what we’ve done and what we achieved. Those players will go down in the record books and be known as heroes at this football club.”