Ardley joins Walton & Hersham as managerial churn sweeps non-league

Managerial upheaval overshadowed player movement across non-league football this week. Walton & Hersham confirmed the appointment of Neal Ardley as Director of Football, with the former AFC Wimbledon, Notts County, Solihull Moors, York City and Woking man speaking of honesty as a factor in taking the role.

Brentwood Town moved quickly to appoint Brett Munyard as First-Team Manager after he left Aveley, who have since named Alex Akrofi as First Team Manager. Munyard's first game in charge of Brentwood Town comes against Maldon & Tiptree, and the club also confirmed midfielder Shad Ngandu has returned and is available for selection, while Tommy Goodger has joined on loan from West Ham.

Elsewhere in the dugout, Brackley Town confirmed the Board had accepted Andy Whing's resignation before Gareth Dean returned to lead a new management team, assisted by Ali Worby and James Armson, until the end of the season. Gosport Borough made Jermaine McGlashan's interim role permanent, Peterborough Sports relieved Graham Drury of his duties, and Godalming Town and Mo Sher parted by mutual agreement. Petersfield Town parted with Zak Sharp, while Lichfield City's Matty Lovatt and Avonmouth's Ash both stepped down. St Ives Town appointed Tommy Cooney after his departure from Royston Town, and Cleethorpes Town tied down Craig Rouse for a further two years.

Farnborough proved among the busiest in the transfer market, signing centre-back Jaden Warner from spells at Norwich City and Newport County, adding striker Tate Xavier-Jones on loan from Luton Town, and confirming the departure of defender Duncan Idehen by mutual consent. Dagenham & Redbridge brought in forward Wiktor Makowski from Worthing and striker Remaye Campbell from Hemel Hempstead Town, while sending Stan Leech out on loan to Maidstone United.

Southport completed the permanent signing of Rhys Healey following his Huddersfield Town departure, though a proposed deal to sign Brad Roscoe from Radcliffe fell through after he reconsidered. Slough Town added Jordan Thomas from Torquay United, who in turn signed Taylor Scarff from Plymouth Parkway.

Among the loan moves, King's Lynn Town took Jamal Mohammed from West Bromwich Albion, Radcliffe brought in goalkeeper Callum Feeney from Burnley ahead of their FA Cup tie with Marine, Darlington added Jacob Render from Leeds United for their qualifier against Redcar Town, and Horsham welcomed back goalkeeper Michael Dike from Brighton plus Harry Hedges from Wimbledon.

Further down the pyramid, Widnes Town confirmed a batch of arrivals including Ricardo Boaventura, Ben Dobbie, Connor Dixon, Hunain Raoof, Helder Pires, Liam Evans, Ollie Wright, Tkai Myers-Jones and Ross Avies, the latter scoring on debut against New Mills. Great Wakering Rovers recruited defender Kye Jude alongside striker Erti Sylejmani, later adding Will Hayes, Jack Banks and Brandy Makuendi. Corinthian-Casuals confirmed the departures of Matt Kellett-Smith, Tobi Falodi, Angel Zapata, Marcus Whittaker, Theo Crawford, Joel Oppong, Jaaziah Bain, Louiss Brooks, Ben Kennett, Patrick Maia and Marcus Travers.