Fans shocked, saddened and concerned for Wealdstone amid statement on managerial departure

Fans have been left shocked, saddened and concerned for Wealdstone amid a statement issued on the managerial departure of Neil Gibson.

Also leaving is assistant manager Lee Jones by mutual consent after ensuring National League survival with a 3-1 win over Halifax on the final day of the 2024/25 season.

Gibson, who took charge in January when the team was 21st and a point from safety, and Jones were unable to relocate from Wales to Ruislip due to high living costs.

Wealdstone FC can confirm that First Team Manager Neil Gibson and Assistant Manager Lee Jones have left the club by mutual consent.

Full story here: https://t.co/Y3kXoiVMwW

— Wealdstone FC (@WealdstoneFC) May 26, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

Wealdstone FC can confirm that First Team Manager Neil Gibson and Assistant Manager Lee Jones have left the club by mutual consent.

This decision follows a number of challenges that have made continuing in their roles increasingly difficult. In particular it has not proved possible for Neil and Lee to relocate from Wales to Ruislip given the current cost of living. These circumstances have made it particularly hard to operate as a full-time management team based locally, something the club has always seen as vital for success and cohesion at this level.

Additionally, the club has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reduce the first team playing budget for the 2025/26 season in order to ensure long-term sustainability. While efforts to secure investment in the club continue, no new funding has yet materialised. The financial reality means we must live within our means and not put the future of Wealdstone FC at risk.

Both parties recognise that in light of these financial constraints, it would be increasingly difficult to meet shared ambitions on and off the pitch. As such, it was agreed that a mutual parting of ways was in the best interests of both the club and the management team.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to Neil and Lee for their commitment and professionalism during their time at Wealdstone FC. We congratulate them on securing our National League status for the 2025/26 season, following the dramatic 3-1 victory over FC Halifax Town on the final day. They leave with our deepest appreciation and very best wishes for the future.

The search for our new management team begins immediately and the Board will provide further updates as and when appropriate.

As mentioned, fans are left shocked, saddened and concerned for Wealdstone amid statement on managerial departure…

@TheBoxingMadMan: Relegation looms next season, no doubt at all…. Additionally, the club has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reduce the first team playing budget for the 2025/26 season in order to ensure long-term sustainability.

@Tommy_Cockles: Beyond gutted at this news. Next season always promised to be another challenging one but could now end up being a monumental struggle without getting some additional investment onboard. Never a dull moment following the Stones 😬

@LeoWerin: Why not go part time now with a budget cut? Extremely disappointing news, but can only thank Gibbo and Lee and wish them all the best for the future.

@LaynePatterson: Whatever the reason this Club should thank them for what they achieved in such a short time!

@ZakyEllis: Shocked is a understatement. Very sad news. Can only thank and wish the best to @NeilGibson22 and Lee for their hard work and the magnificent achievement keeping us up. One of the very few managers who actually understood the club and the fans. You will be missed.😢

@leecross03: Thank you both for everything. I felt you two really ’got’ us. Wishing you all the very best.

@TyCoch1: Very sad to see this. They kept the Stones in the League and this is the thanks they get. Always assuming they wanted to stay of course.

@Stone63Rolling: I doubt if Maynard would return… with budget being cut!

@ONLYONEGIBBO: Shocked to read this. @NeilGibson22 thank you for what you have done for the club. Reducing the wage will see next season being a struggle before a ball is kicked. Is it time for a returning @stumaynard

@HuntsBoy62: Why don’t we just apply for voluntary relegation now 😡😡😡

@AdamClancy9: Gutted is an understatement 😭#WealdstoneFC #Stones

@LucaRossetto03: I praise the board when they do the right things but unfortunately I don’t agree that we should be publicly saying our budget will be lower than last season, should be kept in house. No one’s going to want the job and the person who gets the job is just being set up to fail.

@dazwesty7: What the heck is going on

@1889GT: baffled to fuck by this.

@ChrisCone65: Shocked by this news. Thank you @NeilGibson22 and @leejones_red will never forget that Halifax game. Good luck to you both

@chrispnther16: Sorry what

@Wealdipedia: Given the reasons listed here, why was this (eminently capable) management team appointed in the first place? Solely as a survival exercise? After all, the underlying issues haven’t changed inside of six months. This whole episode won’t make us attractive to others.

@manniebarnet: 85% chance of going down next season.

@thegmanN17: Like a revolving door of managers. Crazy!

@OffTheLineBlog: Tough for #WealdstoneFC. Neil Gibson is a good manager. Done his job in keeping them up; will be a blow to lose him. With a lower budget, it’s going to be mightily tough next year for whoever takes over.

@TBBodell: Crikey, bad news for Wealdstone and hard to see much cause for optimism next season.

@marcwebber: Sad for Gibbo and Lee. Also sad for Wealdstone, who society has priced them out of a great boss.