Havant & Waterlooville confirm managerial change a week after boss is banned by the FA

Havant & Waterlooville confirm a sudden managerial change coming just a week after the boss Paul Doswell is banned by the FA.

Jamie Collins as been placed in charge to replace Doswell, who was given a 12-match suspension following some beef he had after their game at Ebbsfleet in September 2021.

It has taken around a year for the Football Association to hear the case with Paul Doswell now discovering he has been given charged under FA Rule E3 in March 2023.

The Havant boss, who was criticised a few months ago for comments on ex-Southampton manager Nathan Jones, is now banned for the second time, after the latest charge was proven. He was also required to take an education course.

Both clubs met at Havant in February 2021. Ebbsfleet won 2-1. However, it also saw three yellow cards. Chris Solly (Ebbsfleet) won an appeal against his dismissal. The dugout also had both managers sent.

After a violation of FA rules E3.1 & E3.2, Doswell was ordered to attend a face–to-face Football Association education class. See more on that HERE.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Havant and Waterlooville Football Club can confirm Jamie Collins will take over the duties of First-Team Manager, with immediate effect.

Paul Doswell will move into the role of Director of Football, and will continue to support Jamie Collins and Assistant Manager Ian Baird.

Paul Doswell, Director of Football, said: “It’s a decision which we have been looking at for the last six months, and it was going to happen at the end of the season.

“We have been pushing and promoting Jamie through the ranks, and we all felt it was the right time for Jamie to come in now. It is the last 11 games, there is 25% of the season to go, to make sure we make the playoffs.”

During his two spells at the club, Jamie has been a part of Havant and Waterlooville’s key moments, including the magnificent cup run culminating at Anfield in 2008.

He re-joined the club in 2021 and has been a vital part of Paul Doswell’s management team as a coach and player over the last two years.

Upon becoming First-Team Manager, Jamie Collins, said: “For me, it was a no brainer. I have got a long affiliation with the club – it was the first non-league team I played for. It is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Following the change of roles, Chairman Derek Pope discussed our final playoff push: “The playoffs has always been our target, Dos has given us a good start and now we have to finish it off. We are still in the running, and I think we have a good chance.”

Stuart Munro, Hawks CEO said: “This is a very positive move for the football club. You don’t bring someone like Jamie Collins into this football club two years ago and not have a plan.

“We are very pleased that Paul has agreed to stay on as Director of Football, and one of Jamie’s conditions was to ensure Paul was still around the football club to support and help him in his new role.”

We would like to thank Paul for his four years as First-Team Manager of Havant and Waterlooville Football Club, and we are delighted the club will retain his knowledge and experience moving forward.

This is what fans said as Havant & Waterlooville confirm a managerial change a week after the boss is banned by the FA…

@joe_field3: Ahahahahahhahahahaha

@bigdylHTF: jamie collins sexy football 🦅

@k2thekk: Go on JC!! We need to remember this season isn’t his, let’s try and finish with a bang and then let him come into his own next season

@nonleaguerobber: Great Move – up ze hawks

@funkyboyroy: Big up the JC ❤️ just hope he doesn’t get a load of shit if the season ends catastrophic 👍🏻🦅

@Fazzzzerr: phahaha

@90MinutesMore: Good luck 👍

@nlprofessor: Sneaking away??

@neilfoulkes: Paul. Thanks for everything you have done for the Club. Great to see you staying close and all the very best to JC.

Ray Churcher: It would be far better if Doswell was just told to go. He will be for ever poking his nose in. A very poor move which in my opinion will not work.

Matthew Fluellen: If this has been planned for a while then it’s far better to just do it and not get into this state where you know somethings going to change later, it’s basically what happened when Bradbury head got turned and our form tanked as a result and we never recovered. With the stuff Doswell usually talks about doing that role seems a better fit for him and he can focus on those things so not against that move. The club has always been moving forward with off the field activities, it’s what happened on the pitch that lets us down and stalls the potential growth. So now it’s up to Jamie Collins to show us what he can do in full control of the team

Marie Gittins: Good luck Jamie let’s get some wins again !

Gary Kelly: Very positive move 👌

Peter Carden: Good luck Jamie.