Havant and Waterlooville Football Club can confirm Jamie Collins will take over the duties of First-Team Manager, with immediate effect.

Paul Doswell will move into the role of Director of Football, and will continue to support Jamie Collins and Assistant Manager Ian Baird.

Paul Doswell, Director of Football, said: “It’s a decision which we have been looking at for the last six months, and it was going to happen at the end of the season.

“We have been pushing and promoting Jamie through the ranks, and we all felt it was the right time for Jamie to come in now. It is the last 11 games, there is 25% of the season to go, to make sure we make the playoffs.”

During his two spells at the club, Jamie has been a part of Havant and Waterlooville’s key moments, including the magnificent cup run culminating at Anfield in 2008.

He re-joined the club in 2021 and has been a vital part of Paul Doswell’s management team as a coach and player over the last two years.

Upon becoming First-Team Manager, Jamie Collins, said: “For me, it was a no brainer. I have got a long affiliation with the club – it was the first non-league team I played for. It is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Following the change of roles, Chairman Derek Pope discussed our final playoff push: “The playoffs has always been our target, Dos has given us a good start and now we have to finish it off. We are still in the running, and I think we have a good chance.”

Stuart Munro, Hawks CEO said: “This is a very positive move for the football club. You don’t bring someone like Jamie Collins into this football club two years ago and not have a plan.

“We are very pleased that Paul has agreed to stay on as Director of Football, and one of Jamie’s conditions was to ensure Paul was still around the football club to support and help him in his new role.”

We would like to thank Paul for his four years as First-Team Manager of Havant and Waterlooville Football Club, and we are delighted the club will retain his knowledge and experience moving forward.