Ryder Cup hero 'to buy famous old team and bring in Luke Donald as manager'

Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose has teased that he wants to buy a non-league club and hire Luke Donald as manager following their Ryder Cup victory

Andy Crick and Cameron Winstanley

13:14, 17 Oct 2025Updated 13:37, 17 Oct 2025

Justin Rose teased linking up with Luke Donald at Aldershot Town

Ryder Cup hero Justin Rose has joked he wants to buy non-league Aldershot Town, and he wants to bring in Luke Donald as manager.

The 45-year-old golfer is a lifelong fan of the National League club. Aldershot manager Tommy Widdrington dramatically quit three days ago, seeing Rose, worth an estimated 30m, joke he might take over.

The club, which won the FA Trophy at Wembley in May, is owned by Shahid Azeem, a divisive figure among fans. Widdrington said he resigned because he thought something fundamental needed changing at the club. They sit 19th in the table with just three league wins this season.

Former World Number One Rose, who grew up in nearby Fleet, reacted with shock at the announcement, as reported on Whats The Jam.

An Aldershot Town spokesperson said: Aldershot Town Football Club can confirm that Tommy Widdrington has informed the Club of his resignation as First-Team Manager.

[Captain Luke Donald, Shane Lowry, Rasmus Hojgaard, Justin Rose, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Viktor Hovland, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre and Tyrrell Hatton of Team Europe hold the Ryder Cup trophy]

Luke Donald has guided Team Europe to successive Ryder Cups(Image: Getty Images)

Hugo Langton and Alan Dowson will be overseeing first-team affairs ahead of Saturdays game against Tamworth. The Club will be making no further comment at this stage.

One fan said: Just needs a top sports person to buy this club and turn it around.

Current World Number 12 Rose, who is a sponsor at the club and had an Aldershot badge on his golf bag at the PGA Championship in May, teased: And Luke Donald as manager.

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Another die-hard supporter, added: Buy the club. Get Luke Donald in as manager. Seeing Rose, who won the Ryder Cup with Europe last month, replied: Good idea.

Donald was captain of the victorious 15-13 winners over the US at Bethpage State Park Golf Course, New York.

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Meanwhile, Widdrington has taken over at Eastbourne Borough in the National League South.

The ex-Premier League player with Southampton was gaffer there before The Shots between 2012 and 2017. The former midfielder played 75 times for the Saints, scoring three goals.

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