Wealdstone Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Cox, a former Stones captain, as our new First Team Manager. A fan favourite both on and off the pitch, 34-year-old Sam returns to Grosvenor Vale after serving as Interim Manager for the final five games of the 2023/24 season, culminating in a 3-2 victory over Oldham Athletic on the final day of the campaign to clinch the club’s safety.
Sam returned to the Stones as First Team Coach in January 2024, after Manager Stuart Maynard left for Notts County. He then stepped in as Interim Manager and oversaw a strong run of results, including a famous 4-2 win over Dorking and a 1-0 win over champions Chesterfield, to keep the team in the National League.
He brings excellent coaching talent and experience to the club, having earned the prestigious UEFA A Licence and putting it into effect while developing young talent at Tottenham Hotspur Academy. Cox, a former Spurs academy graduate, has nearly 350 career appearances, including 80 for the Stones between 2016 and 2019.
The club was eager to work with Sam again, looking for a manager who is also an excellent teacher, capable of inspiring and extracting the best from a group of young and ambitious players. The Board’s decision to hire Sam full-time was partly motivated by the idea that he epitomises the attitude, work ethic, and culture that we value so highly at Wealdstone.
Chairman Rory Fitzgerald stated, “Sam is not only highly respected at the Stones, but he is also one of the best young coaches we have in our game.” Throughout the 23/24 season, he displayed the ability to encourage players, set high expectations, and create a pleasant atmosphere in the locker room. We are pleased to work with him again and sure that he can create a team capable of competing in the National League.”
Sam’s reputation for developing talent fits perfectly with Wealdstone’s long-term aim of combining veteran players with promising young players, many of whom will have come from Premier League and EFL academies.
Sam said on his hiring, “I’m honoured and thrilled to be back at Wealdstone in this role. When I took over as interim manager, the reaction from the players, staff, and supporters was fantastic – and together, we accomplished something unique. I recognise the potential we have here, and I am determined to capitalise on it. Our goal is clear: to foster a culture of hard effort, unity, and constant progress, and I am entirely dedicated to doing everything possible to see Wealdstone succeed.”
Sam is in the process of recruiting an assistant, and we will provide supporters with updates as soon as they become available.
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