Chairman's Update - October 2026
Nine games in just 27 days has been a huge ask of the squad, with little or no opportunity for meaningful training, particularly with Wednesday evening fixtures thrown into the schedule.
Despite that relentless run, there have been some memorable moments: the superb Berks & Bucks Cup victory over Slough, a nail-biting seven-goal thriller away at MK Irish, and, most recently, an unlikely but thoroughly deserved late comeback against ten-man Leverstock Green.
It’s not about to get any easier, with November bringing a further eight matches, six of which are likely to be at home. That represents a huge amount of work behind the scenes for our Directors and Volunteers, so if any supporters can spare a little time to help before or after games, please do speak to Andy or Nick. Every extra pair of hands really does make a difference.
I’m writing these notes after our first game of the month, and what a way to start it. An incredible 4-2 victory at home to league leaders Winslow United, with a performance everyone connected with the club can be proud of. The lads showed just how good they can be. Now the challenge is to build on that performance, carry the belief forward and start climbing the table.
As many of you will have seen, during the week we made the difficult decision to part company with first-team manager Paul Batchelor ahead of the Winslow United game.
These decisions are never easy, particularly at non-league level, where managers give an enormous amount of their own time to their clubs. Matches every few days mean preparing tactics, organising training, building and managing a squad and dealing with the demands that come with the role. Alongside all of that, Paul also took on the considerable task of building and running our academy.
It was genuinely with a heavy heart that we felt a change was necessary. Football is ultimately judged on results, however, and our position in the league meant we had reached the point where we believed we needed to make that change.
Paul and his management team deserve our thanks for their efforts over the last 12 months. They achieved the most important objective last season by keeping the club up, with that remarkable game against Rayners Lane providing a finale few of us will forget. There have been plenty of ups and downs since, but also some fantastic memories. Sittingbourne, MK Irish and Slough immediately spring to mind. I would personally like to thank Paul and his team for everything they have put into Aylesbury United and wish them nothing but the best for whatever comes next.
I’m extremely grateful to Danny Gray, who has agreed to step up as interim first-team manager while we undertake the recruitment process. Danny knows the club and the players well, and his willingness to take responsibility during this period is hugely appreciated.
The first-team manager position will be advertised on our website and social media channels later today, with applications closing at 5pm on Monday 9th November. Following the closing date, a shortlist will be drawn up, with interviews taking place on Wednesday and Thursday next week. We hope to move quickly following those interviews and announce our new management team shortly afterwards.
This appointment is about more than the immediate results on the pitch. As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be presented with our vision and three-year plan. We want our next management team to buy into that journey and share our ambition to take Aylesbury United forward, climb the non-league pyramid and ultimately return the club home to the town.
Away from matters on the pitch, we continue to work towards delivering our plan. A significant amount of work has already taken place. We have secured land in principle, subject to planning approval, developed our strategic plan and are now moving into the crucial design and funding phase. This next stage will allow us to develop the proposals in greater detail and work towards submitting a formal planning application to the local authority.
There is still a considerable amount of work ahead, but we are making real progress towards the goal that matters so much to all of us. Bringing the Ducks home is at the heart of the project, but our ambition goes much further than football. We want to create a community stadium that provides a home for Aylesbury United while delivering lasting benefits for the health and wellbeing of people across our town.
We cannot achieve that alone. We will need people with a wide range of specialist skills, knowledge and experience to help us turn the vision into reality. If you believe you can contribute to the journey, we would love to hear from you, please contact david.brown@aylesburyunited.co.uk.
Our Every Goal Counts Community Fund has now reached £752.50, thanks to the 35 goals scored in league and cup matches so far this season. If you haven’t already signed up, please visit our website and get involved in this fun and engaging way of raising money to support football and community projects across Aylesbury. Leaflets are available at every home game, so please pick up a few and help us spread the word by sharing them with local shops and businesses in your part of town. The more people and businesses we can get involved, the greater the difference we can make together.
We win together; we lose together. Now we must move forward together.
Come on you Ducks! 🦆💚
John Woodhouse
Chairman, Aylesbury United FC
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