The Cards refused to play in their own away shirt and the visitors were forced to take to the pitch in an old Woking away jersey, meaning independent paper merchants Elliott Baxter missed out on valuable publicity from a game televised live on Sky Sports.
Tim Elliott, managing director of Elliott Baxter, told the paper, “As an avid Aldershot fan, I felt humiliated to see our team run out in Woking's former away kit. I originally thought this a wind-up but the real horror of the situation for the players and supporters soon became apparent.
“As the team's main sponsor, who paid good money for this one televised match a season, we were looking forward to the exposure.
“The resulting shambles makes a mockery of our sponsorship. At this stage I have received no contact or apology from the chairman or board of directors. Their conduct is obviously very disappointing. Nevertheless, I still support the team and hope for improved form as we rise up the table.”
Andy Morgan, club secretary, told the paper that the club was alerted to the problem shortly before kick-off. “When the referee saw the shirt we were planning to wear he wasn't happy with the sleeves and said he thought they would clash with Woking's shirt in aerial battles under the lights,” he said.
“He requested us to change but said our away shirt clashed as well, while Woking wouldn't change their shirt, which is their prerogative. We haven't got a third kit, so we had to wear an old kit of Woking's.
“We have always played in our red and blue shirts against teams with red and white shirts before, and have even done so this season.
“We were told as late as 6.45pm — an hour before kick-off — that we would have to change after we brought him the teamsheet. I should add the decision was nothing to do with Sky at all. It was totally up to the referee.”
Woking managing director Mike Pay, added: “It was very unfortunate. We feel for them and we have had a look this morning to see if something like this could happen to us again. The referee, perhaps because the game was under floodlights, thought that there may be a clash. We wouldn't have wanted to play the derby game in our away kit because we were the home side.”
Aldershot chairman Karl Prentice did not wish to comment but said he would address the issue in his programme notes in Saturday's home match against Kidderminster Harriers.
With thanks to the Aldershot News.