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Ryman North Preview- Waltham Abbey

Ryman North Preview- Waltham Abbey

Aveley Football Club6 Aug 2015 - 14:20

Hayes wants Abbey play off challenge

Manager- Martin Hayes
Last Seasons Finish- 17th (Ryman North)

Who are they?
Waltham Abbey Football Club is an English football club based in Waltham Abbey, Essex, the club was founded in 1944. The team currently plays in Division One North of the Isthmian League.

On 2 May 2009, the Abbots capped off a successful 2008–09 season by beating Concord Rangers 5–4 on penalties, after a 1–1 draw, to win the Isthmian League Division 1 North Play-offs.

They played in the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time in their history in 2009–10. However, despite winning the last two games of their season, they finished 21st and were relegated back to Isthmian League Division 1 North for the 2010–11 season.

Get up to much last season?
Waltham Abbey had an average season last year. They started off well by beating us 2-0 on the opening day of the season by playing some great football, they followed that up with two more wins and had 9 points from 9 available. I thought that this could be the Abbey's chance to really do something in their history. After more good wins in September it looked like they could prove a lot wrong. But from October until the end of the season they never reached the heights and started to fall down the table, eventually finishing 17th in the Ryman North.

Who is the new gaffer in town?
Waltham Abbey FC recently announced that ex Arsenal and Celtic forward Martin Hayes, agreed to join the Abbotts as manager for season 2015/16. For the club it is an exciting appointment and could possibly being a new style and era to the football club this campaign.

What is the aim for this season?
Waltham Abbey FC boss Martin Hayes has set his sights squarely on a Ryman North play-off spot next season. The 49-year-old former Arsenal, Celtic and Swansea City forward was named this week as Paul Wickenden's replacement at the Abbotts.

In his first interview since taking the role, the former Bishop's Stortford manager said that the club was only looking up.

Hayes said "I think a realistic aim for this year is the play-offs. I'm certainly not going to Waltham Abbey to just plod along or fight relegation."

Hayes, who is bringing long-term assistant manager Paul Joynes with him, admitted he is hoping to bring a few former Dover players with him but said all the current squad will start on a level playing field.

“Waltham Abbey have been in the Ryman Premier in the last few years so with a little bit of luck we might be able to start building towards that again.”

“There are players here who, for various reasons, it was not working for last season so it is my job to make sure we are more competitive.

Transfers In-
Darell Russell (Signed On)
Elliott Johnson (Tilbury)

Transfers Out-
James Peagram (Aveley)
Jason Hallett (Cheshunt)
Russell Pond (Thamesmead)

Further reading