CLUB HISTORY - PART 3

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MANAGERIAL CHANGES

But success was short-lived and the following season proved a great disappointment for Whyteleafe. Early promise soon foundered and the team's form fell away. More early cup exits did nothing for morale and the team hit their lowest ebb at Bracknell at Christmas where they suffered a heavy defeat that prompted Richardson's resignation.

Stuart Massey

Stuart Massey returned to the club in the New Year at 1st team manager having made great strides in his first managerial post at Chipstead. Performances improved in the latter part of the season but luck was against them and the improving team rarely achieved the results they deserved.

Points continued to seem hard to come by, only sporadically did Whyteleafe show the kind of form Stuart wanted and he finally resigned in October 2006. After a spell with chairman Coote picking the team, former Crystal Palace striker Dave Swindlehurst joined the club in December.

Dave Swindlehurst

'Leafe continued to struggle to put together any kind of run for the remainder of the season, though Swindlehurst instilled just enough discipline to lead the team to safety. His second season saw improvements that led to a comfortable mid-table position and the club's first cup final in 20 years. Having seen off Ryman Premier Division AFC Wimbledon and Blue Square National (Conference) professional side Woking in previous rounds, Whyteleafe took the field against an ambitious and on-song Merstham side at Met Police's Imber Court ground on 6th May 2008. Despite going ahead on two occasions, the team were unable to prevent Merstham from forging ahead in extra time and winning the trophy at the death.

The cup final proved to be the last of Swindlehurst's reign. Frustrated by the club's limited resources and lacking the resolve to motivate a team without outside financial backing, Swindlehurst walked away.

THE RETURN OF MASSEY

Stuart Massey was re-appointed Whyteleafe manager ahead of the 2008/09 season having spent the intervening 20 months with Ian Hazel as Assistant Manager at Sutton United and briefly as caretaker manager at Gander Green Lane. Following the appointment of Ernie Howe to the full-time post, however, Stuart followed Hazel to Leatherhead where again he was content to assist. Massey ensured his name was first in the when the post became available and spen the next two seasons at the helm.

The club certainly had its successes in the time, each season giving a sprinkling of eyebrow raising wins against league title chasers and the side beat both promotion winning Folksetone Invicta and Croydon Athletc on their own grounds in 2010.

ALL CHANGE AGAIN

The winter of 2009/10 was hard one and snow and ice led to numerous Saturdy postponements which impacted hard on the club's finances. More belt tightening left Massey unsure of his future commitment and Chairman Coote invited Nicky English to take over as 1st manager in the summer of 2010. English had managed junior sides at Whyteleafe in the past but gained tremendous experience managing 1st team football with AFC Wimbledon (as caretaker boss in 2004) and latterly at 'Leafe's neighbours and rivals Chipstead.

Since his appointment English, assisted by Neil Brooks, has dealt admirably with the continuing financial limitations of the Club bringing through numerous young players from the successful youth set up, in turn led by Alex Peters.

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