Joe Lea and Pat Suraci target Havant & Waterlooville turnaround after Poole Town exit

Joe Lea and Pat Suraci are relishing the chance to turn Havant & Waterlooville’s fortunes around.

The pair have swapped promotion-chasing Poole Town for a very different challenge at Westleigh Park, with Havant sitting 21st in the Southern League Premier South after winning just one of their opening nine league games.

Lea and Suraci, who resigned from their post at the Dolphins on Monday evening, were confirmed as the Hawks’ new joint managers on Friday following “an extensive recruitment process”.

They succeed Aaron Martin in the Havant dugout, who was sacked last month after what the club described as a “far from ideal start” to the campaign.

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Opportunity

“We are very proud to be here,” the new managers told the club. “Obviously, a massive club in the area, a club that we’ve grown up around as local lads.

“Walking around the place today, you can see the scale of the club, with a lot of rich history. We’re excited to get started.”

Shaun Gale took temporary charge Martin’s departure, as the Hawks lost 3-2 to Taunton Town in the FA Trophy before drawing 1-1 with Hanwell Town in the league.

Lea and Suraci believe the size and history of their new club make the job an exciting prospect.

“It’s probably a club that has underperformed for a little while now, and we’ve seen it as an opportunity to come to a club of this size and turn it around,” they added.

Track record

The pair arrive with a track record of improving teams, having taken over at Poole in January 2025 when the Dolphins were just above the relegation zone.

They guided the club to a 14th-placed finish before securing a play-off place in their first full season in charge.

When they left, the Dolphins were two points off top spot and have since climbed to the summit.

Lea and Suraci also enjoyed success at Petersfield Town and Gosport Borough.

Their first game in charge will come next Tuesday, when they host Basingstoke Town at home, following Saturday’s trip to Wimborne Town.

READ MORE: Poole Town rocked as joint-managers Joe Lea and Pat Suraci step down