Eastleigh, Spennymoor Town and Wealdstone have all decided to sack their managers after suffering heavy defeats at the weekend.
National League side Eastleigh have parted company with Scott Bartlett following a 4-0 loss away at Morecambe. The Spitfires have won just one of their last nine matches across all competitions.
Spennymoor Town of the National League North have brought an end to Graeme Lee’s managerial reign less than 24 hours after a 4-0 home defeat against local rivals Darlington, leaving Spenny sitting 13th, 8 points from the playoff places.
Wealdstone have parted company with manager Sam Cox, following a 3-0 defeat to Sutton United. The Stones started the season extremely brightly but have now slipped down to 17th in the National League.
Spitfires split with Scott Bartlett ❌
New manager is needed at @EastleighFC
— Enterprise National League (@NL_Enterprise) February 22, 2026
EASTLEIGH STATEMENT:
Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that Scott Bartlett has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
An interim appointment will be confirmed in due course while the Club undertakes a thorough and comprehensive recruitment process. This process will ensure we are well positioned to achieve our objectives next season and competing at the right end of table.
We understand and share the frustration felt by our supporters regarding how the season has unfolded. During this period of transition, we ask for your continued unity and support for the players and staff as we work collectively to finish the campaign as strongly as possible.
Further updates regarding the interim appointment will be communicated in due course.
@Ethan141321: BEN STREVENS PLEASE COME, WE NEED YOU
@Jays1403: Short term answer to a long on going situation that has seen the club fall year after year. Unfortunately this just papers over the cracks the serious issues at the club. Manager roulette year on year the next appointment has to be experienced
@mwoot_17: Don’t think sacking him will solve anything unfortunately but with how bad it’s been maybe a roll of the dice was needed to save things. Interim announced soon so we all know who’s that gonna be 🤣🤣🤣
@KHall1992: Had to be done! No improvements, if anything got worse, now we HAVE to get an experienced manager, proven in this league, oversee to the end of the season then let them build in the summer…
@Archie111111111: Second gaffa of the season out the door, invest in an actual decent fucking manager this time
BREAKING: The Club can confirm that it has today parted ways with Manager Graeme Lee following a run of disappointing results in recent months.
Read the full statement here now… ⬇️#Moors
— Spennymoor Town FC (@SpennymoorTown) February 22, 2026
SPENNYMOOR STATEMENT:
Spennymoor Town can confirm that it has today parted ways with Manager Graeme Lee following a run of disappointing results in recent months (not won at Brewery Field since November 8th).
Lee arrived as boss at the Club in January 2024, following in the footsteps of his late father Tony in taking to the dugout at The Brewery Field.
He immediately set about driving the team clear of relegation trouble and an astonishing seven-game winning streak almost saw Moors snatch a play-off place on the final day of 2023/24.
As well as keeping Moors in the hunt for a top seven finish the following year, Lee also guided the Club to a historic appearance at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final in May 2025.
Under his leadership, the players and supporters enjoyed many incredible moments during that run and created memories which will last a lifetime.
Lee, along with Assistant Manager Ian Clark, leaves the Club with everyone’s thanks for their hard work and sincere best wishes for the future.
A further announcement will be made in due course.
@BillyHorner1942: The usual players causing issues. Feel for my mate Spike, great bloke and coach and did fantastic last season
@13AJDixon: Last season was unbelievable and full credit goes to them for that but it’s been obvious for a while we could do with a fresh start. Manager and players.
@JasonCouse: Created some unforgettable memories, such a shame it’s ended like this, but that’s football I’m afraid, thanks and good luck Spike 🖤🤍
@djnickpeverell: Got to say, that is a shocking decision!! Hang your heads in shame @SpennymoorTown football is brutal!!
@bigdaver84: Josh Gowling is available
Another one bites the dust 🗑️
A second National League club parts company with their manager as Sam Cox exits Wealdstone
— Enterprise National League (@NL_Enterprise) February 22, 2026
WEALDSTONE STATEMENT:
THE Wealdstone FC Board of Directors has this afternoon unanimously agreed upon the decision to remove Sam Cox from the position of manager.
“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,” explained club Chairman Rory Fitzgerald.
“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 change also sees analyst Liam Badcock join Sam in leaving the club with immediate effect.
Wealdstone FC offers sincere its thanks to both Sam and Liam for their dedication and contribution to the Stones.
First-Team Coach Danny Payne, along with the rest of the management team, will take charge of team affairs for this Tuesday’s home match against Brackley Town (Tue Feb 24, 7.45pm).
@Oliver69919180: Completely disagree with the decision – who we going to get in that’s better ???
@LeoWerin: Yesterday was awful and there was a fairly frank conversation had at FT, but this has genuinely surprised me.
@DylanWhitbreadd: I’m not a fan of Wealdstone for the way they acted in the game at Scunny, and refusing to come back out and play the end of the game. However, what do the owners expect from their club? They’re 17th, and I wouldn’t have a club like Wealdstone much higher than that. Harsh IMO.
@castro1021Newss: He had a great start to the season being in the play offs etc… he had a terrible run in the league in 2026 and probably didn’t get enough wins! Wish him luck in the future! @TheSamCox thanks for your service, you are always welcome down the Vale!
@RicardoVazTay: If he hides in the dressing room then he might get given an extra week in the job…
@RickyBFooty: Very harsh from an outsiders perspective, has done well to keep them competitive in the NL IMO.
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