Wealdstone want ‘new energy’ as Cox departure confirmed

Wealdstone have confirmed they have ‘unanimously agreed’ to part company with manager Sam Cox after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat against Sutton United left them just six points above the National League relegation zone.

The 35-year-old kickstarted his career in the dugout when he initially took charge of the Stones in April 2024 after they parted company with former boss David Noble and guided his side to three wins in five games to preserve their National League status.

Cox departed at the end of the campaign and was appointed as manager of National League North club Oxford City but a poor start to the season saw his reign ended in September 2024 after his side had picked up just six points from a possible 27.

The former Guyana international returned to Grosvenor Vale when he was named as Stones boss on a permanent basis last summer and has enjoyed some positive moments in cup competitions after guiding his side to the FA Cup second round and into the last eight of the FA Trophy.

However, a poor run of form in the league means Cox has now been removed from his role less than a week before Wealdstone were set to visit Kidderminster Harriers in the FA Trophy quarter-final.

In a club statement released on Sunday afternoon, club chairman Rory Fitzgerald said: “With so many games still left to play this season, our shared feeling was that a new energy and fresh impetus is urgently required to re-focus everyone’s minds on both the league and cup challenges ahead of us.

 “Like all teams, we’ve had our injury challenges along the way, but we believe our squad can get back to the early-season form that would both secure our National League status and also give us a great chance of reaching Wembley. On behalf of the Board, I’d like to wish Sam all the very best for his future coaching career in football.”

The Stones have also confirmed first-team coach Danny Payne will take charge on Tuesday’s home game with Brackley Town.