Aldershot Town FC are reluctant to announce the departure of Will Nightingale, following the defender's decision not to trigger a contract extension option with the club. Becoming a free agent, Will brings an end to a short, yet extremely memorable stay with the club. Joining in August 2025 from AFC Wimbledon, Nightingale's arrival in North East Hampshire marked only the 30-year-old's second permanent home of his football career, having been connected with the Dons since age nine. Arriving with impressive pedigree to the tune of 175 EFL appearances, Will unsurprisingly became an instant fan favourite during a retrospectively solitary campaign with the Shots. Nightingale made 38 appearances in all competitions across the 2025/26 campaign, securing three home Man of the Match awards, and contributing significantly to crucial away clean sheets against Boston, Sutton, Hartlepool and Morecambe during the club's successful run at the beginning of the calendar year. Will also produced some memorable moments in front of goal, scoring thrice for the Shots with strikes against local rivals Woking and Eastleigh, before perhaps his most memorable moment in red and blue, a half-volleyed equaliser against FC Halifax Town in February, a goal that proved to catalyst for an eventual 3-2 comeback in front of the East Bank. The centre-half's performances were lauded by colleagues and spectators alike, as he claimed both the 'Supporters Club Members' Player of the Season' and 'Player's Player of the Season', with these awards received in late April following the conclusion of the National League campaign. While disappointed to see him go, everyone at Aldershot Town would like to wish Will and his family the best of luck in whatever lies ahead, and thank him for his undeniably pivotal contribution in securing safety last season. Assured, he is certainly forever a welcome character around these parts. Thanks Will.