Steve Watson leaves Darlington by mutual agreement as managerial churn hits non-league

Managerial change ran through the week at every level. Darlington parted with Steve Watson by mutual agreement after nearly three years, with Watson saying the side were in an unacceptable league position. Terry Mitchell is caretaker while the club searches for a replacement. Southport announced that Mark Duffy had left by mutual termination of his contract, and Telford Town confirmed that Mike Dunn had resigned with immediate effect.

Hyde United saw Michael Clegg depart by mutual consent and brought back Nick Spooner, who left last September, with Gavin McCann returning as his assistant. Assistant manager Joe Bunney has left the club. Bamber Bridge said Jamie Milligan stepped down after almost seven years, while Halesowen Town lost Russ Penn by mutual consent, with Paul Holleran taking interim charge supported by Ryan Conneely and Lewis Solly. Kingstonian parted with Scott Harris following a review of recent league results, and Mitch Hahn and assistant Ash Miller have left Grays Athletic. At Hampton & Richmond Borough, Alan Dowson left by mutual consent and Max Kretzschmar and Craig Saunders are in interim charge.

Slough Town appointed Steve McKimm, 51, who arrives with Barry Moore as assistant and Mark Watson as first-team coach, both having worked with him previously. They also signed winger Dennon Lewis from Dorking Wanderers, on a contract until the end of 2027/28. Dorking cited distance and travel as the reason for his departure, and the club extended midfielder Josh Taylor's stay to the end of 2028-29. Long Eaton United named Ben Hutchinson and Craig Swinscoe joint managers with immediate effect, and have since signed Noah Simmons, James Matthews, Alfie Coe-Flynn and Alex Marshall among others.

Workington tied manager Billy Barr to a two-year extension until May 2029, and assistant Lee Andrews has also committed his future.

On the playing side, several Step 2 to 4 clubs took players from higher up. Farnborough signed 23-year-old centre-back Jaden Warner, formerly of Norwich City and Newport County. Havant & Waterlooville signed Finley Walsh-Smith from Bognor Regis Town, and took Nathaniel Chioma on a three-month loan from Portsmouth. Redditch United announced midfielder Gus Mafuta, subject to FA clarification. Hampton & Richmond Borough took left back John Ryan on a three-month loan from Reading. Nuneaton Town brought back James Harrison from Coventry United.