Success is relative, of course. Wealdstone’s 16th-place finish in 2021-22 was the club’s highest in 35 years. They were, and still are, the last truly part-time team in Non-League’s top tier. They were punching well above their weight. But still, on the face of it, his appointment as head coach of a team chasing promotion to League One was pretty remarkable. Or at least it was. Not anymore.
If you are reading these pages, you will no doubt know, as well as me, the reason why County came calling for Maynard. Some of the football, and goals, Wealdstone have produced over the last couple of years have been breathtaking, befitting of a much grander stage.
The sweeping 23-pass move, finished off by Micah Obiero, in a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield in February. The wonderfully constructed and incisive goal at Aldershot, straight from kick-off, finished off by Sean Adarkwa, in August. The 21-pass sequence, finished by Tarryn Allarakhia, in a 2-1 win at Oldham in August 2022.
All bore familiar traits. Patient build-up play. Adventurous defenders. Rotations in midfield. Drawing out the opposition’s press. Overloads in wide areas. Bodies flooding the penalty box. So while Wealdstone’s achievements should not be diminished, it was the football, more than the results, that persuaded Notts owners to hand Maynard — who left a job of 19 years with BT — his first full-time role in football.
Esta historia es de la edición January 28, 2024 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 28, 2024 de The Non-League Football Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
DOWSE FANS THE FLAMES
BOSS HAS HIS FIRE BACK
GAFFER DUTTON SALUTES YOUNG GUNS
SALISBURY may be kings of the late goal, but when Tony Lee put AFC Totton 1-0 up in the 78th-minute of the playoff final even manager Brian Dutton had his doubts.
THE BREAK IS OVER AS BRAKES GO BACK UP...
PAUL Holleran says Leamington are relishing another crack at National League football after enjoying a “gap year” at Step 3.
THAT ONE WAS JUST FOR YOU, CHIEF
PROUD Enfield Town boss Gavin Macpherson believes their promotion to National League South is a fitting tribute to ‘pioneer’ Dave Bryant.
BROMLEY BOYS ARE IN THE BIG TIME
HOW ABOUT these Bromley boys? The club immortalised in a much-loved book-turned film have been promoted to the EFL for the first time in their 132-year history.
'APPRENTICE' WOODMAN GETS REWARD FOR LOYALTY
ANDY WOODMAN has had history on his mind.
MY LADS ARE JUST 'EXTRA' SPECIAL!
WATCH OUT National League big boys, the Pub Team from Essex is back!
SPIREITES IN TUNE WITH DRUM-MOND
KANE DRUMMOND says he has been offered a “life-changing opportunity” after landing a dream move into the Football League with Chesterfield.
OLD PALS GIVE JOHN A ROOST
NEW Buxton manager John McGrath is calling on friends in high places as the ambitious Bucks gear up for a first-ever season of fulltime football.
AT LAST, OUR CUP HEROES HAVE EARNED THEIR SPURS
“THE BEST moment ever – better than playing Tottenham”.