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Steve Claridge speaks on decision to link up with 7th tier club for a FIFTH time

Steve Claridge speaks on decision to link up with a 7th tier club for a FIFTH time, three spells as a player and now two stints as a manager.

He returns to Weymouth, who currently sit 18th in the Southern League – Premier South, with 4 points from 5 games, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 3.

The 59 year old, who has spent half his life with the Terras, has been brought in with the aim to provide stability amid a challenging period.

He emphasised building an organised, structured team with clear roles, hard work, and passion to turn around their poor start back in the 7th tier.

It’s been a busy week at the club, Paul Maitland resigned as Weymouth chairman after a 3-0 defeat at Wimborne Town on Bank Holiday Monday, and it was quickly followed by the departure of manager, Warren Feeney.

Ralph Ricardo was then announced as Interim Chairman before the announcement of Steve Claridge.

CLUB STATEMENT #1:

The Board wishes to inform our supporters that over the weekend we have, with regret, accepted the resignation of Paul Maitland as Chairman of Weymouth Football Club. Paul will be stepping down from his role with immediate effect.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for his dedication and service to the club.

CLUB STATEMENT #2:

Weymouth Football Club can confirm that we have parted company with Warren Feeney as First Team Manager.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Warren for his efforts during his time with the club, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

CLUB STATEMENT #3:

Following the departure of Paul Maitland, current Director Ralph Ricardo will immediately assume the role of interim Chairman. The club will take a considered approach in selecting a permanent successor, allowing time to identify the right long-term candidate.

We would also like to share with you some lasting words from Paul, and again would like to thank him for all his efforts and service to the club.

Following my decision to step down from my role as Chairman and as a Director of Weymouth Football Club, I wanted to put out the following statement:

This decision was incredibly tough to make, as my passion for the football club remains, and I am as desperate as anyone to see it succeed. Having said that, it is important to know when to stop, and that point has arrived for me. Being Chairman is a huge undertaking and a difficult task, but one I always did to the best of my ability.

It has been a great honour to have served Weymouth Football Club through the good and the bad, but it is now time for someone else to step in, bringing a fresh perspective and a new energy. It has become increasingly difficult for me to give the necessary time needed to carry the club forward again. Whilst we have made positive strides in many areas, the disappointments on the pitch have not made this any easier, and the resistance to change off the pitch has also had an impact.

My life away from the club sees me with a young family and a growing business that requires more of my time than ever before.

I wish to thank all of those who stood alongside me in the darkest of times and the best of times. There are so many wonderful people who dedicate so much time, energy, and financial help to the continued running of the club.

To the supporters, I hope the future can be brighter and that the good times can come again. I will always treasure the memories of the Taunton game, the Dartford final and all the celebrations that followed.

To the Directors, Managers, Players and Staff that I have worked with over the best part of 15 years, thank you for working alongside me. It has at times been tough and difficult, but with plenty of highs and laughs.

Finally, thank you to my family, in particular my partner and my children, who have never known anything other than sharing me with Weymouth Football Club! Leaving will be difficult and a change for all of us, but the Terras will always have a special place in our hearts.

Good luck to all for the future, and best wishes – Paul

CLUB STATEMENT #4:

Weymouth Football Club are pleased to announce that Steve Claridge has agreed terms to become First Team Manager with immediate effect.

Following what has been a challenging period for everyone at the club, the Board acted swiftly to ensure stability and continuity ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie away to Tadley Calleva. Steve will take charge of the team for that fixture.

A former Premier League player and a familiar face to Weymouth supporters, Steve brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game.

His appointment is aimed at providing leadership and direction as the club looks to strengthen its position in the league and build positively for the future.

The club would like to thank all those who expressed interest in the role and will provide a further update on Steve’s backroom staff in due course.

We wish Steve every success on his return to Weymouth and look forward to working together towards a stable and successful future.

STEVE CLARIDGE STATEMENT:

“I’m incredibly happy to be back here. I’ve spent half my life here; it’s a fantastic place to be.

“This is a big club and I know what it means to the people here. I want to be able to put smiles back on faces and get things moving in the right direction again.

“We’re not going to win every game, but what we will be is organised, structured and give everything we have for the cause.

“The players were full of intensity and passion during my first training session with them and if they apply themselves like this in games, we will be okay.

“I’d like to think that I’ll quickly get an understanding of what is required here. I want to have a structure and system in place where everyone understands their role and works hard.

“Sometimes in football you can over-complicate things, so I want a group of players here who know exactly how we want to play with and without the ball and are aware of the responsibility that comes with representing this fantastic football club.”

On the upcoming FA Cup first round qualifying clash at Tadley Calleva: “Yes, it’s a potential banana skin,” he admitted. “We’ve done our homework on them and we know that if we’re not at it, we’ll have problems.

“But we’ll go there and ensure that we do our jobs properly so that it can be the positive start we are looking for.”

Having suffered relegation from The National League South at the end of last season, the Dorset outfit have won just one of their opening five League games back at this level.

STEVE’S CAREER:

Youth career
Portsmouth

Senior career
1983–1984 – Fareham Town
1984–1985 – AFC Bournemouth
1985–1988 – Weymouth
1988 – Crystal Palace
1988–1990 – Aldershot
1990–1992 – Cambridge United
1992 – Luton Town
1992–1994 – Cambridge United
1994–1996 – Birmingham City
1996–1998 Leicester City
1998 → Portsmouth (loan)
1998 – Wolverhampton Wanderers
1998–2001 – Portsmouth
2001 → Millwall (loan)
2001–2003 – Millwall
2003–2004 – Weymouth
2004 – Brighton & Hove Albion
2004–2005 – Brentford
2005 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
2005 – Wycombe Wanderers
2005 – Millwall
2005 – Gillingham
2005–2006 – Bradford City
2006 → Walsall (loan)
2006–2007 – AFC Bournemouth
2007 – Worthing
2007 – Harrow Borough
2009 – Weymouth
2011–2012 – Gosport Borough
2017 – Salisbury

Managerial career
2000–2001 – Portsmouth
2003–2004 – Weymouth
2005 – Millwall
2015–2022 – Salisbury
2023–2025 – Fleetlands
2025– Weymouth

Here’s how fans reacted as Steve Claridge speaks on the decision link up with 7th tier club Weymouth for a FIFTH time…

@MatthewKing10: Southern prem div 1 next season it is

@epicfail2048: i’ve woken up and it’s 2003

@HamblePhil: Blimey – that’s an interesting appointment!

@Nonleaguerobber: Really good appointment , Gets the club gets the fans , Great to see him back at a decent level

@Andrew_Storey: Didn’t recognise him with hair!

@moorsy11: 🤣🤣🤣 the club has learnt nothing has it! Shocking appointment

@mungo33946190: Happy days 💪

@Mlabus5: Again…. wasn’t much of a success the first time.

@WreccleshamBag1: You couldn’t make this up 🙈

@woody7689: Jesus Christ

@comeonuwhites: One step forward… two steps back 🙄

@Jrshort888: Oh dear! Feel bad for your club

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