Get to know our new Managers Alex and Dale
We sat down with newly appointed Joint Managers Dale Hurley and Alex Walsh to get to know them a little better.
Tell us a bit about your background and experience
DH: Firstly, I’d like to say thank you for the warm welcome so far and that Alex, Matt and I can’t wait to get to work.
I have worked full time in football for over 10 years. My career has now led me to being the Academy Manager at Russell Martin Foundation. I have worked at Lewes FC for 8 years before leaving the club in November. I held various roles during my time; 1st team assistant manager, 1st team coach & u18’s manager / assistant manager. We created an environment which hosted one of Sussex’s most successful youth teams in recent years. I joined up with Alex again this summer at Lancing FC as joint manager which leads us to where we are now.
AW: I have worked in football across different levels and backgrounds. I started off at u18s football at Lewes football club where myself and Dale worked together and created a very strong youth side. From there I spent time at Haywards Heath as Assistant Manager where we were competing in the Isthmian League for the first time, I stayed for around 6 months before being offered the Loxwood job. Having been around a few county clubs I have learnt a lot about different environments. I have also spent time with other Isthmian clubs including Worthing, Lewes and of course my last role at Lancing Fc. Most recently we’ve been working to keep Lancing in the league with very limited resources and I’ve really enjoyed my time there. I currently work full time as a coach in private schools and also run my own football company so usually out coaching all the time.
What attracted you to the role at HHTFC?
AW: Well, I have actually been at HHTFC before a few years ago as assistant manager and enjoyed my time here. We were successful and when I moved on the club was in the playoff positions. The club itself has huge potential and already I have seen the improvements from my time here to now. The fanbase and infrastructure have all improved. There are also some very good players here which some I’ve met before but others looking forward to working with as when they have played against us I can see the quality.
DH: I was attracted by Haywards Heath for various reasons. I know that Steve and the board have made huge improvements to the club’s infrastructure and are extremely passionate about moving the club forward. I am an ambitious person and the project excites me off the pitch. On the pitch the group has plenty of quality, experienced players, as we put our identity into this squad I can see us having a really strong playing style that will help us climb up the league.
With the position the club is in, what can we expect to see on the pitch over the coming weeks?
AW: I think the minimum is hard work. We will be spending time to add our identity within the group and create a culture and environment where the players can thrive, but whilst that beds in we will be looking for 100% commitment and work.
How does the joint manager role work for you both, do you have areas that each of you are better at?
AW: It works well, we have known each other for a very long time and understand how each other work. We both like to be hands-on and coach along with Matt (Evans, First Team Coach) so we work together in that and between us we have a wider knowledge of players.
DH: Alex and I are joint managers, but more importantly we are good friends and have been for years. All ideas are decided together and we are on the phone to each other every day discussing something football related. We both have our strengths so as a partnership I feel we work really well together.
What’s your team’s identity?
DH: The word that I would describe our team’s identity is ‘control’ with or without the ball, we are in control of the game or the specific phase of play. I am comfortable being adaptable depending on the circumstances.
AW: We want to play attractive football and install a culture where working hard pays off. We have certain formations we can be flexible with and want to play wherever possible.
You visited Hanbury with lancing earlier in the season, what were your impressions of the place then?
AW: Like I said before have seen major improvements from last time. The pitch was outstanding and the whole feel around the club. It felt like a great fanbase/atmosphere. And on the day was a good game even for the neutral. But we are looking forward to meeting the fans and we will need them to support us in order for progression. See you Saturday!
DH: The pitch is in great condition which will help with our style of play. We played here on a Tuesday night earlier this season in an exciting game under the lights. The Heath fans were loud and proud, I’m looking forward to having you on our side and making Hanbury a tough place for opposing teams to come. Let’s get right behind the boys. We Are The Heath!
