Manager's Column: Wayne Hadley - Nuneaton Griff
- Nuneaton Griff
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Monday 8th June 2026
In the first Manager's Column of the 2026/27 season, First Team Manager Wayne Hadley sets out his ambitions for the season ahead and explains what he expects from his squad going forward.
A Fresh Start
I am really looking forward to heading into my first full season as manager of Nuneaton Griff Football Club.
Proper preparation, a proper pre-season, and the chance to build something with a clear idea of what we want to achieve.
The players who have been coming in to train are feeling it too, and that energy is exactly what we need right now.
Last Season
I came into the club with 13 games remaining, the side adrift in the relegation places, and the task was to try to form a new squad while still competing in a fight we were already well behind in.
The effort and enthusiasm from the lads was never in question, and there were some really encouraging signs in those final weeks.
We gave it everything, but the challenge proved too great, the points deficit was too steep, and we were relegated to Midland Football League Division Two.
I think it is important to be straight about that.
We know what happened, we accept it, and we move on.
The Ambition
When I came in, the conversation was about consolidation at Step 6.
That conversation is firmly in the past.
The only ambition this season is promotion from Step 7, back up to where this club belongs.
Division Two is competitive and the challenge is real, but the motivation within this group to come straight back up is strong.
There is a real hunger here going into the new season and that excites me.
The Work Has Already Started
One of the most encouraging things since the season ended is that the players have not stopped.
We have continued training right the way through, with anywhere between thirty and forty players coming in session after session with real enthusiasm and real intent.
They are here because they want to be here.
We head into pre-season in good shape, both physically and mentally.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
My motto for this season is simple: actions speak louder than words.
I want to see players knuckling down, working hard and letting their feet and their body language do the talking.
Earn your place through what you show on the training pitch and on a matchday.
The lads in this group are more than capable of doing that and I am looking forward to seeing it.
Building the Right Group
This club has a genuine intention to blood young, local talent into senior football, players between 16 and 20 years of age who deserve the chance to develop in the right environment.
That is something I am proud to be a part of.
Alongside the young players coming through, I also want to bring in some experienced voices, people who have been around the game long enough to guide the younger lads, challenge them in training and give the dressing room leadership beyond just the coaching staff.
We already know the pathway works.
In the final two months of last season, four young players from within the club featured across the youth team, the second team and the first team, and they took every step in their stride.
The structure is in place and it is producing results.
Pre-Season and Looking Forward
The real work starts now.
Pre-season gets underway in the coming weeks, with our first friendly on Saturday 4th July away at Coventry Sphinx, a good early test to get us going.
The future is bright, and one thing I can say for certain is that we are all going to enjoy the journey.
Come on the Griff.
Wayne Hadley,
First Team Manager,
Nuneaton Griff Football Club