Struggling Wealdstone sack manager Cox

Sam Cox has been sacked as Wealdstone manager.

The 35-year-old has been shown the door after three consecutive defeats increased fears of relegation from the National League.

The Stones have won just one of their past 13 league matches – a run which has included seven defeats and left them 17th in the table, six points above the drop zone.

First-team coach Danny Payne has been placed in caretaker charge and will take the team for Tuesday’s game against Brackley.

On Saturday, they will face Kidderminster in the sixth round of the FA Trophy.

Cox previously served Wealdstone as a player and coach, and also kept the club in the fifth tier during a spell as interim boss three seasons ago.

He made an excellent start after his return last summer, winning his first three league matches, but results then declined.

“With so many games still left to play this season, our shared feeling was that a new energy and fresh impetus is urgently required to re-focus everyone’s minds on both the league and cup challenges ahead of us,” said chairman Rory Fitzgerald.
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“Like all teams, we’ve had our injury challenges along the way, but we believe our squad can get back to the early-season form that would both secure our National League status and also give us a great chance of reaching Wembley.”