Walton & Hersham issue detailed explanation on sacking 3-time promotion winning manager

Walton & Hersham issue a detailed explanation on sacking 3-time promotion winning manager Scott Harris earlier this week.

Fans were baffled with the 7th tier club sacking their manager despite 3 promotions in a row and currently sit just outside the playoffs. See more on that HERE.

They have another shot at promotion, this time from the Southern League Premier Division South, yet Walton & Hersham have decided to get rid of manager Scott Harris.

Now they have spoken out after a huge reaction on social media to the decision, this is what they had to say…

A full statement has been issued by the Board of Directors, offering a detailed account behind Scott Harris’ departure from the club.

Read below ⤵️

— Walton & Hersham FC (@waltonhershamfc) April 10, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

In light of the recent public commentary and speculation, we would like to provide further details relating to this week’s departure of Scott Harris as manager of Walton & Hersham FC.

Earlier this season, Scott tendered his resignation as First Team Manager to the board. This came as a complete shock, and was unanimously rejected by the board for two reasons: Firstly, we owed it to Scott to stand firmly by him during a difficult period, and secondly, felt that he was entitled to depart the club under more favourable circumstances – with the chance to receive a send-off befitting his outstanding achievements at W&H.

With the help of First Team Head Coach Billy Rowley, Scott reversed his decision to step away from the club, to the great relief of the board. We re-iterated that the only expectation was to establish ourselves in the Southern League, and to lay the foundations for seasons to come – something that has been achieved with great success this season.

As proud stewards of this great club, we are committed to its continued long-term success. With the core aim of establishing ourselves in the Southern League clearly achieved, we recently undertook a comprehensive review of how the club operates. We concluded that significant changes were needed in respect to footballing operations, and consequently came to the immensely difficult decision to part ways with Scott, effective following the conclusion of the 23/24 season.

This decision was communicated to Scott on Monday evening, with the club strongly wanting him to see out the season as manager and receive a richly-deserved send-off. Regretfully, Scott departed the club with immediate effect, and his decision to do so is one we completely understand and respect.

We can confirm that First Team Head Coach Billy Rowley will lead the side through until the end of the season, supported by First Team Coach Darren Simpson.

We hope to make a full announcement regarding the future First Team management following the conclusion of this season.

Sartej, Christopher, and Calogero will all be present at Saturday’s game at home to Sholing, and will be available in the bar after the game to chat with supporters for as long as required, in regard to the future direction of the club.

We reiterate the debt of gratitude owed to Scott for his contribution to the club since 2020, and wholeheartedly wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Whilst we regret that our time together came to an end under such circumstances, it does not detract from the unprecedented success achieved working with one another, producing achievements that will remain in the history books forever.

Scott, thank you so much for everything. Please don’t be a stranger.

We urge everyone connected with the club to get behind Billy, Darren, and the boys this weekend, as we seek to end the season on the strongest possible note, and continue building for the future.

Fans reacted as Walton & Hersham issue detailed explanation on the sacking 3-time promotion winning manager…

@GarethM52427894: Lesson one in any field of endeavor. When you’re in a hole, stop digging. Failed

@gilbeybell: I’m summary: he wanted to leave, you persuaded him to stay. Then you fired him, but wanted him to stay for three games, so he walked out…😕

@Stevehi46711517: Sack him but expect him to see out the final three games , really 🤷‍♂️

@John_Albon5: But it doesn’t explain why such a successful manager wasn’t viewed as part of the future?

@cheltstipster: What a whole load of nonsense. So you turn down his resignation, was delighted he change his mind but then decided to sack him 😂

@AumonierNick: So the manager wants to leave the club – and eventually gets what he wants, but its the club that are the villains 🤷‍♂️🤔 As soon as he made it clear he wanted to go, they are bound to plan for a future without him, that’s just common sense. But now there’s uproar?

@1969Swan: Playing newly promoted Sholing this weekend, bet they would swap our position of an outside chance of play-off spot for a relegation spot, so would Basingstoke who were champions last season sitting below us. Why any need for a second statement? Tell it as it is in the first one

@BigCol19777: Doesn’t make sense! What needed to change on the football side that meant he had to be let go after a very successful season?

@SussexAH: Business of any form is complex and sometimes most treasured and valued personnel move on, in many varied circumstances. Looking at the bigger picture, the progress of the club on and off the pitch over the past 4 years is as impressive as anything I’ve seen in NL. #Trust 🔴⚪️

@darrenbayley: Appreciate the explanation, however if @Harris__Scott21 was happy to continue into next season working with @BillyRowley I know the fans would be delighted to have him back. It has been a pleasure watching the team under Scott and Billy.

@dullers1: So after 3 successive promotions and a solid first season at Step 3, which apparently is all that was expected, you still decided that ‘significant changes’ were required? 🤔

@GlenSTFC: Basically something deeper happened as this story obviously makes no sense to anyone.

@Sean089:
statement is terrible…
1. Story about him resigning ages ago… which has nothing to do with current situation
2. Why sack him before the season ended if you want him to see it out
3. Still not explanation as to why he wouldn’t be at the forefront of new ‘football operations’

@MrJamesKemp: Well, you guys have done a good job of running the club up to now. You have earned some trust, and I hope these decisions result in the club continuing to move forward.

@reecet14: Still slightly baffled. Changes in football operations as a reason without clarity of what that actually means just leaves more questions unanswered. Also, no need to mention about the previous tendered resignation in my opinion. If that’s in the past, should be kept in house 🤷🏾‍♂️

@Brandon_B12: So, he sees the writing on the wall and tries to resign. You guys beg him to stay only to do a “comprehensive review” and decide to let him go? Still doesn’t smell right.