Former Premier League star turned non-league manager Tommy Widdrington, 53, rushed to hospital after falling ill

FORMER Premier League star-turned-manager Tommy Widdrington has been rushed to hospital after falling ill.

The 53-year-old spent four years playing in England’s top flight for Southampton between 1992 and 1996.

He is now manager of National League side Aldershot Town, having overseen 82 matches since joining them in April last year.

And the club announced on Monday that Widdrington had been taken to hospital for tests due to an unspecified illness.

Aldershot host Wealdstone in the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

Widdrington will not be in the dugout for the crunch clash, with a league trip to Solihull Moors coming just three days later.

And in his place, Aldershot will be led by assistant bosses Hugo Langton and Richard Dryden.

A statement read: “Tommy is stable and in good spirits, and we shall provide updates when there is anything further to share.

“In the meantime, we ask that Tommy and his family’s privacy is respected at this time.

“Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Tommy for a speedy recovery.”

Newcastle-born Widdrington made his name as a midfielder with Southampton, who he joined as a kid in 1987.

After making his First Division debut in 1991, Widdrington become a big player for the Saints following their promotion to the Premier League a year later.

In total, he netted three goals in 90 games at St Mary’s.

And Widdrington went on to star at other clubs including Grimsby, Port Vale, Hartlepool and Macclesfield.

He retired from playing in 2005 after a second spell at Port Vale.

But four years later Widdrington was back in business as a manager with Salisbury City.

The gaffer has since taken charge of Hemel Hempstead, Eastbourne Borough and King’s Lynn – as well as two interim stints at Bristol Rovers.

Widdrington has been at current club Aldershot for 21 months, winning 32 of his 82 matches at the helm.

His side finished eighth in the table last season, missing out on the play-offs by two points.

But Aldershot are struggling to impress this term and are 17^th with just five wins from 20 games.