Club statement: Andy Leese and Jon Meakes

Walthamstow FC can confirm that joint managers Andy Leese and Jon Meakes have left the club.

We would like to thank Andy and Jon for their work during the 2025-26 season. Since coming in at Christmas, Andy and Jon pulled the team away from relegation, and rebuilt a competitive squad after a difficult start to the season.

We wish them all the very best for the future.

Andy Leese has written the following statement, on behalf oh him and Jon.

“Jon and I have made the difficult decision to leave Walthamstow FC. We joined the club in late December 2025 as a Management team and with a clear objective: to stabilise the squad, help the players reach their potential, and ensure the club avoided relegation.

“Since our arrival, we have worked hard to build a performance-focused environment grounded in togetherness and belief. At both an individual and team level, we have developed a playing style, refined our shape and systems, and—crucially—rebuilt confidence. The journey has been incredibly rewarding. From December onwards, we collected 33 points from a possible 57; had the season started then, that form would have placed us 6th in the league. We finally finished 10th. This run has demonstrated what players can achieve in the right environment, with the right leadership, coaching, and support. Over the past two weeks, discussions with the club have confirmed that the budget for the 2026/27 season will be different than this season, and the plan is to operate with a different type of squad, meaning another period of transition lies ahead.

“Jon and I remain committed to continuing our own managerial and coaching journey. We feel privileged to have worked with this group of players—those we inherited, those we signed, loan players we brought in, and those who stepped up from the U23 setup. They have embraced our approach and delivered outstanding efforts throughout, reflected in the many comebacks we achieved, including in the final league game.

“We would also like to thank the club for the opportunity to lead the team and contribute to Walthamstow FC’s story. It is a club deeply connected to its community, and we are proud to have supported its “For the People, By the People” ethos during our short time here.

“We wish everyone at the club all the very best for the summer and for the 2026/27 season.”