Havant and Waterlooville have been relegated from the National League South.
The team that have for so many years been in and around the top seven in the sixth tier, and not that long ago played in the National League, they are now facing the prospect of playing in the Southern League.
It is going to be a really important summer for The Hawks, and is one that they are going to have to get right if they want to get promoted at the first time of asking.
With that in mind, I have taken a look at how I would – if in the footsteps of the Havant and Waterlooville hierarchy – go about trying to rebuild the side in the summer, with the appointment of a new manager and an influx of new players.
Manager Situation
The big question for The Hawks this summer is whether they keep their current manager – Cliff De Gordon – or whether they go out and try to appoint a new manager.
Personally, I think that as good as De Gordon did in the early days of taking charge, the decision should be a quite easy one; they need to find a new manager that is capable of getting them promoted out of the league and then also able to make them a competitive – or at the very least settled – side at Step Two.
For me, the standout candidate is also rather straight forward; Scott Harris.
It is not often that a team can pick up a three-time, promotion-winning manager without having to pay compensation for their services, but such is the recent debacle at Walton and Hersham, Harris is now without a club and will no doubt not be short of offers. In terms of what I feel The Hawks should be looking to appoint, Harris ticks a lot of boxes.
Firstly, he is a winning, proven manager. The work he has done with Walton and Hersham underlines what a top manager he is, and the way in which he has been able to adapt to the levels every time is indicative of a really smart, intuitive individual. I have no doubt that if Walton and Hersham had stuck by Harris then they would be in the mix for promotion out of the Southern League next season having had a strong first season of adaption this year.
Harris has also shown that he is a talented coach and one that is able of implementing a front-foot, attacking brand of football. One of The Hawks’ major downfalls is that for all of the players that they have signed in recent years, they haven’t had an identity. What style of play do they have? What do they try and do with and without the ball? Harris’ principles are well-defined in this aspect, and so I think he is just what they need.
And, the big factor as to why I think this is a goer is that Harris is quite literally on their doorstep. He has spent the last few years with Walton and Hersham; they are just an hour up the road – relatively – and so that is a commute that is perhaps manageable. They say sometimes things are too good to be true, but I genuinely feel that this is The Hawks’ chance to get a coach going places in the game, and The Hawks could too if they try to secure him.
Retained Squad
The graphic above is one that I have put together of what I think that the retained list is most likely to look like.
Admittedly, straight off the bat, there is a lot of shakeup in the summer; granted, that is what The Hawks need. As it is, I think that it needs major rework. I always say that if a team gets relegated they need to plan that summer for players who are capable of taking the club forward beyond just being good enough for the league they are now in; as the majority of these players have shown this term, they aren’t good enough for the National League South.
The notable departures that I have pencilled in are defender Kai Woollard-Innocent, midfielder Jake McCarthy and strikers Ryan Seager and James Roberts. Quite simply, the reason why I have excluded them from this rebuild is because they are far too good for playing Step 3 football and I feel that they will likely be of interest to sides in the National League South during the summer. McCarthy could – given his injury worries – remain at the club, but I genuinely think that all four of them will get good offers to remain next season at Step Two.
Given their ages, I think Ross Worner (34) and Joe McNerney (34) are likely to stay, and I would keep both of them. In a summer of rebuilding, have experienced professionals such as Worner and McNerney is going to be important.
Devante Stanley has shown glimpses of quality this term, and is one that I have been impressed by, but I feel that he may be persuaded to stay. Likewise, I think youngster Brendon Wilson – formerly of Eastleigh – could be a more than adequate backup as an option covering bases both in the backline and at the base of midfield.
The notable player who I have down to stay at Havant and Waterlooville next season is Callum Kealy. The reason why I have opted to keep him on board is that with the likes of Seager and Roberts likely departing, there is a chance for him to play a lot of football next season. He has had a season – or two – of constant change, moves, transfers and a lot of unsettlement and he needs to knuckle down and start playing regularly as there is a good player there.
Summer Additions
Roshan Greensall (Crawley Town)
The first player on this list is goalkeeper Roshan Greensall. He is a player that I have recommended before – in a recent piece on business that Dagenham and Redbridge should do – and so I am going to revisit this one as I feel that the remit (being backup to a firmly established number one) is fairly similar.
He is a really agile, hard-working goalkeeper capable with his feet, nimble and athletic. He is what I would class as a scholar of the game in that he does a lot of work, always looking to develop and improve his game, and I think working under one of the best goalkeepers at non-league level in Ross Worner, it would be hugely beneficial for his development.
The benefit of bringing in Greensall at this point is that it gives The Hawks the chance to train up a young, up-and-coming, promising talent who can potentially be a successor to Worner in time. Worner is by no means getting any younger, and so a player like Greensall – who certainly has ability – would make a lot of sense as a number two.
The geography works, with Greensall currently on the books of League Two outfit Crawley Town. Currently out on loan at Broadbridge Heath, I think that on a free transfer he would make for a really sensible long-term acquisition for The Hawks.
Will Miles (Whitehawk)
As you would expect of any team that is relegated, one of Havant and Waterlooville’s many problems this term has been in conceding too many goals. That is something that a new manager must address during the summer if they are to progress, and so they need to add a defender or two. One player who I think would be a useful pickup on a free transfer is Whitehawk man Will Miles.
Miles is one that I have sung the praises of before, and one that I had on my long list of targets for Torquay United to go for last summer. And, in terms of adding players who are capable of being one of the peak performers in the division and being able to make the step-up in the event they are promoted, I think Miles represents an ideal balance between the two.
The Whitehawk centre-back has experience with Whitehawk earlier in his career, and so he has been taught and coached how to play in the right way. As a result, he has a confidence and composure with the ball at his feet, can play out from the back and is not afraid to step into midfield; the perfect antithesis alongside Joe McNerney and the ideal fit into a Havant and Waterlooville who – under Scott Harris – would likely try to play football.
Cameron Black (Dorking Wanderers)
The next player on this list is Cameron Black. On the books of Dorking Wanderers, he has spent this term out on loan with Isthmian League side Cray Wanderers and as a backup centre-back, I think that Black could well be worth a look.
Alongside Miles and McNerney, The Hawks are going to have to bring in a younger centre-back option and so Black fits that bill. He is only 21 years of age, but I think that there is a capable defender there and underneath a good coach he could well thrive.
What I like about Black is his physical profile. He is a good athlete, well-built, fairly quick, aggressive in the air and is far from slow. In terms of putting together a front-foot, brave side that can play football, Black is well-aligned to this philosophy and as the antithesis to Joe McNerney I think that he would be ideal.
Black has – as I said – spent this term with Cray Wanderers, working under a good manager in Neil Smith, and so I am confident that he would return to Dorking Wanderers as a better and more intelligent player. With Dorking Wanderers being relegated to the National League South and in need of overhaul to their side, Black may well be one that pays the price for that and let go and so if I was in The Hawks’ position I would try and get myself to the front of that queue.
He has experience at the step before, spending time with Cray Wanderers this year and also with Bognor Regis Town prior to this season. Black has a lot of development left to do, however I think that as a longer-term prospect with room to develop and improve, Black could be one for a top coach in Scott Harris to give time to. A move that suits both parties, I feel.
Archie Harris (AFC Bournemouth)
The Hawks will need to add an option at left-back even in the event that they keep hold of Kai Woollard-Innocent, and so one player who I think they should look at is AFC Bournemouth defender Archie Harris. A player that has spent the campaign in the National League South towards the back end and at Southern League level at the start, I think he’d be a good addition.
Harris is no stranger to the Southern League – into which The Hawks are likely to go – having spent the first part of this season with Poole Town in the seventh tier. He was recalled by The Cherries and sent out to Torquay United and is currently at Truro City in the National League South; as an option to act as a go-between of the two he is ideal and as such an initial loan – with a view to sign permanently beyond this year – is where he should be operating.
During his time at Plainmoor, I was a fan of Harris – certainly to begin with – as he showed himself to be a hard-working, diligent, no-nonsense and committed type who provided a lovely balance between defensive and attacking qualities. He is a good size, carries the ball well and is decent in possession; such qualities have seen him deployed as a left-winger on occasion before for The Cherries in their youth setup.
Harry Cooksley (Farnham Town)
One area – having watched Havant and Waterlooville – where I feel that they have been particularly week this year is in midfield. Granted, Jake McCarthy has been out of the side for long periods, but the ball retention has been poor, there is a lack of physical and athletic ability, and in general it has looked just too easy to play up against. As such, I think they should go and try to add Harry Cooksley.
In terms of adding winners to their ranks, nothing does that more so than adding a player in Cooksley who has been an ever present for a Farnham Town side who have done nothing but win this season. Thus, if they are to turn the tide – so to speak – of the last year or so and get the club back on the straight and narrow, adding players who have such a winning mentality and know how to win goes some way to making sure they can indeed kick on.
One thing that Cooksley does give to this Havant and Waterlooville side is experience and games under his belt; that was needed. They have played a lot of young players in the middle of the park this term, and Cooksley’s experience – at the age of 29 and with various different environments under his belt – would be invaluable for this Hawks side. Cooksley does have good pedigree within the game, having spent time in the youth ranks at Reading and Queens Park Rangers, as well as games – albeit brief – in the EFL and abroad.
Cooksley’s main strength that he offers to Havant and Waterlooville is his technical ability and impressive passing range. They’ve missed that player this term who can get on the ball and dictate and control a game, but Cooksley is a player who has a lovely range of passing, adept off either feet, highly technical, plays with a skill and a composure indicative of someone who can – and has – played higher and provides the perfect metronomic passer for Scott Harris’ style of football.
After a strong season with Farnham Town, Cooksley may well want to remain a part of that and try to help them be successful. However, this is a chance for him to join up as part of a side who will be favourites for their division this term and will be wholly confident of an immediate return to step six. This is an opportunity for him to sign for a team where his qualities are fitting, and I think he’d be an excellent capture.
Florian Kastrati (Crawley Town)
As part of the summer shakeup for The Hawks, strengthening the midfield is high on the agenda for any new manager. I’ve already suggested that they should add Harry Cooksley, and I think that another option they should consider signing is Crawley Town man Florian Kastrati.
Kastrati has not been part of Crawley Town’s plans this term, and so it is likely that he departs in the summer in search of more regular first-team minutes. Crawley Town are in the mix for the League Two play-offs and would definitely not be kept as part of the side going forward if they do go up; it would make sense for him to think of potential new clubs for the youngster.
And, given that his development has been somewhat stagnated so far – with minutes at first-team level extremely limited – I think that it would be advisable for him to perhaps drop down a level or too to find his feet, learn the game, hone his skills and properly develop. While on the books of an EFL club, he is not an EFL player at this moment in time in terms of his quality and operating level, and so going to a club who have ambitions of returning to the National League South as quickly as possible may be an attractive proposition for Kastrati.
In terms of what Kastrati offers stylistically, Kastrati is capable of playing in either wide or central positions in midfield, and is someone who is highly technical, has a lovely range of passing, and is a capable dribbler. He can progress the ball from deep, take it past players and is another player who is in-keeping with the type of player Harris would want to sign in terms of an ability to play and composure with the ball.
He may well fancy his chance of getting a permanent deal at a level higher than he would be with Havant and Waterlooville next year, but in terms of going into a club where he can get regular game time he needs to improve his game, I think that maybe taking a step backwards to take two forward may well be an advisable option for him. He would be a coup, but he is fairly local and I can see this going down well.
Jack Hesketh (Sholing)
Such is the situation that Havant and Waterlooville find themselves in – playing at Step Two of regional football – they may have to change tact and try to add players who are at a lower level and looking upwards, rather than signing marquee players from the leagues above. Luckily, one player who is currently playing at a lower level and who I feel ticks a lot of boxes is Jake Hesketh.
There are a number of once-EFL players who are now turning out regularly for sides at a local, more regionalised, part-time basis and Hesketh is one of those; he is on the books of Sholing. For someone who has come through such a strong academy side and had a good career – to date – in the Football League and National League, there is no doubt that Hesketh is definitely playing at a lower level than his ability deserves.
Hesketh has played much of his career at a higher level, and while he dropped down to Sholing’s level after his release by Eastleigh in the National League, I am of the view that Hesketh can still play fifth tier football and so would be a coup for the sixth tier; all while providing a useful option longer-term beyond this term in the event that The Hawks are indeed promoted. It is Hesketh’s chance to kickstart his career once more.
The wide player represents a local option for The Hawks, too, having been based in and around the South Coast for all of his career; indeed, that is perhaps one of the reasons for opting to sign for Sholing. He is a versatile midfielder – capable of being used more centrally as an attacking midfielder, or indeed out wide as a winger. All the while with a technical proficiency having been coached in the ‘Southampton Way’.
Adam Mekki (Farnborough)
One thing that The Hawks may look to add during the close season is a bit of experience, especially if they are going to lose some with the possible departures. As such, they are going to need to look at players who are perhaps out of favour at the level above with a view to moving down, and someone who fits that bill is Adam Mekki.
Mekki is currently on the books of National League South side Farnborough, but has not featured a great deal for them this term and with their play-off push falling short once again, he may well be one of the casualties that are moved on during the summer; thus, he may well be available on a free transfer.
The former Bromley man is someone who covers a lot of bases in terms of personal attributes – with his experience and leadership – but also with his versatility and being able to adapt to play a number of different roles in the middle of the park; be it centrally or out wide.
He is now 32 years of age but has spent much of his career in the South, and so the geography certainly fits. He can play on either flank, as a ten, and even as a wing-back if required and so there is going to be a lot of value in this signing. The Hawks need to sign players who will give them a value for money and so a player of Mekki’s skillset is key.
Ola Ogunwamide (Lewes)
Havant and Waterlooville – I feel – need to add extra pace and trickery on the flanks during the summer, and so one player who I have always been a fan of during his days at Hornchurch and who could well fit that role well is Lewes midfield Ola Ogunwamide.
Ogunwamide is no stranger to the level, having spent time with Hornchurch and been in and around their side that made the play-offs on a number of occasions, and this season he has been playing with Isthmian League outfit Lewes. In between this, Ogunwamide spent time with National League North bottom side Bishop’s Stortford, and although his time with them perhaps didn’t quite go to plan, I think he falls into the category of being a top-end performer at Step 3 and capable Step 2 player; the exact profile The Hawks need to add.
In terms of what Ogunwamide brings to The Hawks’ side stylistically, he is a direct and lively winger with good feet, speed and athletic. He can also play centrally – as he did at times with The Urchins, and I think that he has the technical competencies that a Scott Harris side is hallmarked by.
While he perhaps needs to work on the end product in terms of conversion of chances into goals, one thing that Ogunwamide has shown during his time with The Urchins is his ability to set up chances for his team mates; indeed, he has double figure assists in his last two seasons with Hornchurch (a combined 23 assists). The skills he has is always going to make him a handful and create opportunities by way of his agility and speed to get away from players, and I think under Harris he would excel.
D’Andre Brown (Basingstoke Town)
Havant and Waterlooville will be viewed as one of the bigger hitters next year, and so you would imagine that they will have a lot of interest from players during the summer. One player who I think they should go and look to sign as a marquee addition to kickstart their revival is Basingstoke Town man D’Andre Brown.
Brown is one who I have sung the praises of at length before, and someone who I feel is going to go on and have a good career in the game having already impressed as part of Dan Brownlie’s Basingstoke Town squad on their way to promotion to the Southern League last term and in their adaption to the Southern League this term.
The youngster fits the mould of what they have been missing in their midfield this term; young, athletic, powerful, an eye for a goal, can drive from deep, can get about the pitch and a real livewire with his energy and work-rate. He represents a nice balance between physical and technical skillsets, and as an attacking midfielder who can provide thrust and drive going forward for The Hawks, Brown is ideal.
I feel that there are the raw skills there – with D’Andre Brown – that he can indeed play higher than he is at the moment, and perhaps at a higher level than Basingstoke Town can reach at this current time. Joining a side in Havant and Waterlooville – who will have ambitions and indeed a lot of expectation – to go and win promotion at the first time of asking may well give him an avenue to indeed play higher at a not too distant future.
Isaac Vassell (Bath City)
One player who has perhaps found the 2023-24 campaign a bit stop-start and challenging, but whom I still rate highly, is Bath City winger Isaac Vassell. He has signed a deal with Bath City until the end of this current campaign, but has found minutes few and far between for various reasons and I think he could well be available in the close season on a free.
If that is the case, I would personally look to take a chance on him and his fitness – given the injury record – as there is a hugely capable player here on his day. If it wasn’t for his injuries, he would still now be playing a top level of EFL football and so if they can manage his injury status well enough then there is the potential for Vassell to be one of the peak players in the division in terms of output.
He is another that fits into the way that Scott Harris would want to play with his direct, dribbling style and ability to take defenders on. He has perhaps lost his raw, explosive pace of old but he can still shift, and as a more experienced option to a player of immense talent in Trevor Caborn then he could well fit the bill.
Vassell has always been Southern-based and so there is no problem in terms of relocation. There wouldn’t be pressure on him to be an immediate starter, and I think with that reduced expectation upon him it might well get the best out of him and properly manage his injuries.
Trevor Caborn (Winchester City)
One thing that The Hawks should look to do this summer is sign players who are at perhaps lower-level sides who have the ability to make the step-up; they are a strong side who will be favourites for the title and so adding some of the brightest prospects locally should be a priority. One player who fits that bill and who I feel is more than capable of indeed playing higher in the future is Trevor Caborn.
Caborn was formerly on the books of National League sides Dorking Wanderers and Woking in their academy set-up, but is now on the books of Winchester City. He has made the step down to find a route back into first-team football and develop his game, and it is fair to say that his development has flourished as a result. Indeed, his form has been so strong for Winchester City that he has been tipped by many to make the move up the pyramid this summer.
One thing that Scott Harris has shown himself capable of doing during his time with Walton and Hersham is an ability to get the best out of attacking players. There are the raw utensils there for a good coach to make use of; strong, direct, pacey, trickery and a confident dribbler, dynamic, always looking to take the game to the opposition team. Players that are capable of making the step-up are often those more athletic and physical types, and Caborn certainly has that.
Havant and Waterlooville will be looking to get promoted next season and then try to establish themselves in the National League South. Adding a player who should be playing in the fifth tier upwards is in-keeping with those ambitions. He provides The Hawks with adding pace and direct running, and an upgrade on the options that they have now. For the all-action, high-energy football that Scott Harris would want to play, Caborn’s athleticism on the break is perfect.
Eddie Simon (unattached – formerly Walton and Hersham)
Given Scott Harris’ departure from Walton and Hersham, it is perhaps only natural that there will be discussion over whether Harris goes back in for one of the players who have indeed followed him out of Walton and Hersham. Indeed, I think that the chances he will go in for a former Walton and Hersham player are high, and as such I feel he could try to re-sign Eddie Simon.
One thing that you cannot teach is the ability to score goals, and Simon has shown his proficiency in front of goal; he’s been a key cog of Walton and Hersham’s side as they have been promoted to the Southern League. Simon has been of Harris’ real success stories in Harris plucking him from the sixth tier, and so to provide another out-and-out goal-scoring option for The Hawks, Simon would certainly be more than capable.
Given that Simon has played for much of his career below Step 3, it would perhaps be a step-up for him longer-term if they do go up. However, he has shown adaptation to be able to develop his game in the Southern League this year and has done well for Scott Harris’ side. To be able to implement his principles as quickly and as well as is possible, adding the familiarity of personnel in Simon would certainly help matters.
Goal scorers are always in high demand, and after leaving Walton and Hersham in wake of Harris’ departure he will certainly not be short of offers in the summer. If he is to go anywhere, re-uniting with his former manager at a level he has played this term would certainly seem a logical move.
Elliott Romain (Horsham)
The last player on this list is one that I have always been a fan of when I have seen him at this level and simultaneously one that I don’t feel gets enough plaudits for his efforts; Horsham centre forward Elliott Romain.
The Hawks have relied on Callum Kealy, James Roberts and Ryan Seager this year, however none of those three really provide Havant and Waterlooville with a natural pressing option or someone that can make defenders have to work hard. Indeed, all the top sides have a player that is able to force the opposition into mistakes, press from the front, and set the tone; Elliott Romain is someone that is capable of offering that at the top end of the pitch.
Romain is a player who I have always associated as being a hard-working, relentless forward who gets through a huge amount of work in leading the line, has the selfless attitude to be able to drift into wide areas and chase lost causes, constantly chasing loose balls and putting defenders under pressure; after a relegation, you need players with that selfless attitude who willing to do the hard yards, work their socks off and be that infectious personality.
Romain also provides Havant and Waterlooville with experience of a higher level – namely the National League South – and so he is a long-term option for The Hawks in being able to adapt to the sixth tier, too, in the event that Havant and Waterlooville are promoted at the first time of asking. He has never been hugely prolific, but in terms of adding the right characters to turn their fortunes around, he ticks the box.
Off The Line Blog 
Leave a comment