Club name manager successor to ex-Portsmouth winger who was sacked without taking charge of game

Waterlooville AFC have moved quickly to find a replacment for Jack Maloney, the former Pompey winger who was dismissed as first-team manager without taking charge of a game.

Club owner Lee Stainton, who has revived the club after a 27-year absence, has turned to Lisa Gale to head the project on the pitch.

She has been named the club’s first-team manager after building up a reputation for herself in local footballing circles.

A former assistant to ex-Hawks boss Shaun Gale at Infinity FC, the Uefa C licence coach will be tasked with utilising her experience in coaching, player development and team management, along with her knowledge of grassroots and youth football, to aid the continued rebirth and development of the club.

After beginning hercoaching career with Lee Rangers in 2015, Lisa Gale established a successful youth side at Gosport Borough that went on to secure many titles, including the under-18 Mid-Solent Youth League A title.

Following her unveiling, the new Waterlooville manager told the club website: ‘I’m really excited to be joining Waterlooville AFC at such an important time for the club.

‘Football has been a huge part of my life for many years and I’m looking forward to developing a strong team environment where players can grow, improve and enjoy their football.

‘I’m excited for this new challenge and I believe we can build something really positive over the coming seasons.’

Why Jack Maloney was dismissed as Waterloville AFC boss

Lisa Gale’s appointment comes less than three weeks after Maloney, who played 11 times for Pompey after coming through their academy ranks, was dismissed without overseeing a match.

The 31-year-old, who was named boss in December, had been offered an alternative role of assistant manager, but that was not accepted.

Maloney’s departure was then followed by Harvey Bradley also leaving the club, with the fomer Blues youth-team product stepping down from his role as director of football.

Speaking to The News earlier this month, Stainton said: ‘It’s not ruthless at all. I have done what I think is the best thing to do, whether it is right or wrong, for the football club.

‘If I am having to moan about the management then there is clearly an issue. I’ve barely had any communication with Jack over the last five months, I have probably spoken to him about three times.

‘I love the kid to bits, I really do, and I really wanted him to push on, but the squad we’ve got together I’ve had to do myself. So far 16 have agreed to sign - and I have done all of it.

‘I haven’t got time for it, I’m building the business side of the football club, which is going to help get grants and fund budgets. The business is kicking on and I need to devote my time to that.

‘I need someone coming in who is actually going to take control of the football side of it rather than me. Jack was to be someone who is going to develop with the football club, but unfortunately it is me developing the football side of it - and that’s not what I wanted.

‘I was probably a bit naive thinking that someone of that experience would come in and take that side of it, maybe that is partly my fault, I admit that.

‘I want to attract these high-level players, they aren’t coming here for any money so at least the communication has to be good. I am spending 75 per cent of my day speaking to players - but it shouldn’t be me.

‘I want somebody who is going to manage, take complete control of the management side of things, everything to do with the football side of it, bringing in a squad. Whatever league we go into next season, we are pretty much going to be dominant.

‘We had been trying to get hold of Jack for a week. In the end we sent him a letter explaining why we were removing him, offering the assistant role, and didn’t come back to us.’

Waterlooville AFC’s are expected to feature in the Hampshire League next season.

At present, Lisa Gale’s first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Whitchurch on Saturday, July 11.

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