David O’Driscoll writes about what has so far been a tumultuous start to first half of the season for Walthamstow FC, with new manager Colin Reid leaving after less than one month in charge
Walthamstow’s difficult start to the season has led to the inevitable change at the top, with first Vinny Murphy leaving the club, followed quickly by his replacement, Colin Reid.
They have now opted for an experienced double act, Andy Leese and John Meakes. Both have extensive experience in the non-league game in the south of England, having worked together very successfully at Cheshunt and Enfield.
Here, they regularly guided their teams into the play-offs. Leese was most recently with Hayes and Yeading United, where he led the club to a sixth-placed finish last season.
Walthamstow are currently just outside the relegation zone of the Isthmian League North.
At the beginning of the season, their ambition was to be at the other end of the league.
Walthamstow are in the bottom section due to their recent woeful form. While it is a long season, it looks like the club are in a relegation fight with four clubs at risk of relegation, and they are placed sixth bottom. They currently have 18 matches left to turn their season around.
Speaking to many fans at Wadham Lodge, they have been unimpressed by many performances and often puzzled by the team’s tactics with there having been a lot of chopping and changing of players.
For example, at a recent game I did not recognise four of the players. This has likely resulted in some pretty lame performances; a particular low point was their 4–0 home thrashing at the hands of local rivals Redbridge.
This was followed by two further losses, including a 6–0 drubbing at Waltham Abbey. So it’s come as no surprise that they pulled the plug on Murphy. Colin Reid was an interesting choice as a replacement.
While Reid has an impressive CV (he began his coaching at Spurs, where he coached Peter Crouch, amongst others), Reid was unable to turn Walthamstow’s fortunes around, and it seems he decided to leave.
What is striking about Leese is that he is highly qualified, holding a UEFA A coaching badge, which is required to coach in the professional game, whereas many non-league coaches do not.
So all Walthamstow fans will be hoping Leese and Meakes will utilise his coaching knowledge and contacts to bring in some new players and help the club move upwards again.
No news is bad news
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
