Havant & Waterlooville confirm quick appointment after sacking manager

Havant & Waterlooville confirm a quick appointment in the experienced Steve King after sacking manager Jamie Collins.

The club confirmed six months ago that Collins would take over the duties of manager from Paul Doswell, finishing 10th in the National League South with 69 points from 46 games, three places and five points from the playoffs.

Things really haven’t gone to plan however at Havant & Waterloovile for 2023/24, sitting bottom of the table after eight games played, and of those, have only won one, drew one and lost the other six, leaving them three points from safety, ten points from the playoff places and eighteen behind the league leaders Aveley.

𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗥𝗔👊#HWFC

— Havant & Waterlooville FC (@HWFCOfficial) September 8, 2023

Havant and Waterlooville can confirm the departure of Manager Jamie Collins from the club.

Please read statement in link below;https://t.co/01g3VakMc2#COYH #HWFC pic.twitter.com/LCfun5gZvG

— Havant & Waterlooville FC (@HWFCOfficial) September 8, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

Havant and Waterlooville can confirm the departure of Manager Jamie Collins from the club.

Chairman, Derek Pope, has said: “After a difficult start to the season, where results are evident, it has been decided to part ways with Jamie. He (Jamie) has been an integral part of this club for many years, playing in the successful FA Cup run in 2008 and then returning to club a few years ago, first as a player, then Coach and eventually Manager.

Despite the difficult situation the club have found themselves in, I have to agree with many supporters that Jamie will remain a much loved member of our club for many years.”

Havant and Waterlooville can confirm the appointment of Steve King as First Team Manager.

A very well known successful manager at this level of football, King has a vast amount of experience to bring to the Hawks. Previously with Gloucester City in the National League North last season, King will be known more to fans at Westleigh Park for bringing sides such as Dartford and Farnborough with success. King’s Dartford side defeated the Hawks in the Play Off Semi Final during the Covid season in July 2020.

As previously reported, Shaun Gale will take charge of tomorrow’s fixture with Truro City, with King being in attendance.

Welcome to the Hawks Steve!

This is what fans are saying as Havant & Waterlooville confirm a quick appointment after sacking their manager…

@sparkythebabler: Great appointment! I met Steve a couple of seasons ago when he was scouting us Vs Slough. Top bloke and very knowledgeable.

@TheTresMarinos: Wow… that should shut everyone up who says the budget is being cut!

@Richard30878776: Welcome Gaffer, now let’s get this show on the road 🦅🦅🦅

@geoffmay2: Brilliant appointment I will be returning to WLP

@mbroadbent16: Did so well at Gloucester last season – especially the run after the club cashed in / reduced wages on quite a few of the squad

@Liam_How: Thank god you lot have a decent budget

@chris_hardyman: Good luck Steve

@jane36london: Good luck Kingy, your usual seat is always ready for you any time you are free to fit in watching a Dorking game in the future 👍 And as I always say, one day….

@WLPChris: Seems like the sensible choice, a lot to be said for not going back

@_isaac_hendo: Good luck Kingy, thank you for all the memories 👏🏻 #stevekinghadadream

@TheSheldonEnd: Commiserations to Havant on their impending play-off defeat.

@FFSChristie: His face looks like a combination of every Havant manager ever

@AlanmReeves: 🤣🤣🤣🤣 oh my god. The guy is an absolute helmet, makes Doswell look like Klopp

@LiamP2710: Look after him 🥲 Top top gaffer, and a brilliant bloke 👊

@Jimak54: Welcome to the Hawks Steve. 👍🏻

@LiamP2710: Brilliant bit of news for every single party here. H&W get the best manager the level has ever seen, Kingy gets a brilliant job at a club that wants to go up, and we don’t have to pay his wages anymore, which frees up a grand a week in the playing budget. #KingysAtTheWheel

@Cazbob: Hope so! He can’t make us any worse, surely???

@Clarkeyboy12345: was expecting Bradbury but very nice appointment

@WingsFan625: Damn that is a fantastic appointment. Good luck Kingey

@CallumHallett6: Believe this is the first managerial change in the #NLS Could be wrong though! Knows the tier 6 well after managing Gloucester, Dartford and Welling most recently. Hopefully #HWFC can get back on track.

@TheBoroWalk: Ah, Mr King… We meet again.

@BenBrownsTweets: Only way is up

@Richard30878776: He’s got his work cut out, but I hope he grabs the challenge with both hands and shows us what he can do 🦅

@Christy_Ryan93: About time! 🙌🦅

@adamnixonmedia: Exciting time for the Hawks! Surprised with the appointment but his record speaks for itself.

Lewes ✔️
Northwich ✔️
Farnborough ✔️
Whitehawk ✔️
Welling ✔️
Dartford ✔️
Gloucester ✔️

Steve King has an incredible record of finishing in promotion positions at the clubs he has managed

Can he turn @HWFCOfficial around? 🔁 pic.twitter.com/q6exeFeU1U

— Vanarama (@Vanarama) September 8, 2023