'It's not ruthless at all': Ex-Portsmouth winger in shock dismissal as manager - without playing a game
The former Blues player was appointed in December after the club was reformed after 27-year absence
Ambitious Waterlooville AFC have dismissed their manager - before a ball has been kicked.
The club last year announced they were reforming after a 27-year absence, with owner Lee Stainton securing a three-year groundshare agreement with AFC Portchester.
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Waterlooville’s re-emergence generated plenty of local interest, while Stainton turned to Harvey Bradbury as director of football and former Pompey winger Jack Maloney as manager to spearhead Hampshire League aspirations.
However, Maloney, who was appointed in December, has now left Waterlooville without ever overseeing a match.
The 31-year-old, who made 11 appearances for the Blues, had been offered an alternative role of assistant manager, yet that was not accepted. While Bradbury, who currently plays for Hanwell Town, has walked out over the Maloney decision.
And Stainton, the son of former Waterlooville chairman Ray, has defended his actions in replacing the manager.
‘I haven’t got time for it, I’m building the business side of the football club’
He told The News: ‘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.’
Reformed in October 2025
Stainton went public with his plans in October 2025, having secured official permission to use the name Waterlooville AFC.
The 54-year-old from Hayling Island is currently waiting to learn what division they will compete in during the 2026-27 campaign, yet the expectations are it will be Hampshire League level.
The club expect to announce their new manager next week, although Bradbury is unlikely to be replaced as director of football.
Stainton added: ‘Harvey has gone as well, he hasn’t done anything either.
‘He didn’t agree with our decision over Jack so he quit, which is fine. I don’t know whether we will now replace him.
‘I like Jack and I like Harvey, but, at the end of the day, they are not here to be liked, they are here to do a job. Harvey was director of football and has directed nothing.
‘I am speaking for the football club, there is nothing personal, I really do like them - but it seemed like a bit of a sideline to them. They weren’t really that interested.’