Wright axed in yet another Stratford Town shake-up - The Stratford Observer

Wright axed in yet another Stratford Town shake-up

Stratford Editorial 10th Oct, 2019   0

STRATFORD Town will be searching for a fourth manager in 17 months after the axe fell on Tommy Wright.

Wright took over in the summer after Thomas Baillie joined Tamworth and he faced having to rebuild the squad after the majority of the players who took Town to their highest ever league position departed.

The former Corby Town, Nuneaton and Darlington boss had a record of five wins, two draws and six defeats from his 13 games in charge.

Despite beating Leiston 3-1 last weekend – a result which left them 11th in Southern Premier Central – the board decided to make the change on Wednesday.




“Following a series of disappointing performances and two cup defeats the club have decided to part company with manager Tommy Wright,” said a statement.

“The board would like to thank Tommy for all of his hard work during his time at the club and wish him all the best in the future. However, we believe we need to make a change now and go in a different direction.”


Wright said: “I have enjoyed my time at the club and I want to thank to everybody at Stratford Town for their support and wish the club all the best in the future.

“I understand the club wants a change of direction whilst I have a busy schedule with my role at Mansfield Town.”

The club said they will be inviting applications for the post.

Paul Davis will be caretaker manager, Steve Walker assistant caretaker manager and head of football operations Paul Collicutt, the former Evesham United manager, will have an oversight role.

The news of Wright’s departure – following the managerial exits of long-serving Carl Adams, Darren Byfield and Baillie since May 2018 – comes in the wake of another shake-up in playing personnel after a cut in the budget.

Five players left last week while new recruits goalkeeper Mitchell Allen and defender Kyle Rowley became the 30th and 31st players to feature for Town this season when they played against Leiston.

Allen, 19, had just been released by Stoke City while he also had a ‘work experience’ spell with Market Drayton Town. Defender Rowley, who was on Walsall’s books as a youngster, was Walsall Wood’s player of the year last term before going to Alvechurch in the summer.

Town will have another new face in their ranks for Saturday’s visit of Lowestoft Town after signing midfielder Ravi Shamsi from Leamington. A former Fulham U18s player, he has also had spells at Maidenhead United and Banbury United.

Saturday’s fixture will be part of 2019’s Non-League Day. The annual event, which began in 2010, coincides with an international break and will support Prostate Cancer UK.

Town will be doing their bit to highlight the quality of non-League football by offering £2 off all standard admission prices for valid 2019/20 season ticket holders from Premier League and English League clubs.

On Tuesday, Stratford welcome Premier League Wolves to the Arden Garages Stadium in the Birmingham Senior Cup first round.

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