Saffron Walden Town boss will quit at end of season and take up coaching role in US

Stuart Wardley (left) will take over from Colin Wallington as Saffron Walden Town boss. (Image: Archant)

Wallington, 63, is taking up a coaching/managerial role in Phoenix, in the US, after spending the past two seasons raising Saffron Walden Town from the ashes and transforming the club into promotion challengers.

Club stalwart Stuart Wardley, who had spells as a professional after being signed by Queens Park Rangers for £15,000 in 1999, has been named as the new boss.

Jason Maher will be assistant manager/first team coach.

Wallington told the Reporter he was “proud” to have achieved so much on such a tight budget.

“This is a fantastic club and I will miss it badly because I have made so many great friendships,” he said. “When I came here we didn’t have a player and now we’re challenging for promotion. That isn’t because of me it’s down to the fantastic people involved with the club.

“I have no doubts Saffron Walden will be a big club because so many people want to go and watch them. I couldn’t think of anything I’d want more than for us to get promotion.”

He added: “When I told the players I was leaving I got a bit emotional. That shows my affection for the club because I’ve never been like that – I’m seen as a bit of a hard man so I’ve got to get that image back!”

Chairman Melvyn Seymour called Wallington “a credit to our club” who will be “sorely missed by everyone”.

He said: “Everyone you talk to within senior football knows Colin and knows he is a football man through and through, and his experience and knowledge got us where we are today.

“Colin’s banter with supporters and officials alike will be something that we will all remember.

“He has been very dedicated to everything that goes on with our club and I know he has, and always will have, The Bloods in his heart.”

Wallington said coaching in America had been a long-held ambition.