Northwood Managers - who's been in charge?
Prior to 1971, Northwood's teams had been organised by the committee, although in practical terms the club secretary looked after things, and Pat Byrne was the club's first designated manager, guiding the side through their second and third Middlesex League seasons. Subsequently Johnny Myers took charge, then Paul Byrne, Pat Madigan and Tony Saunders.
Pat Coburn took charge for the 1976-77
season, and he guided Woods to two league titles, one runners-up, and four cup successes during his ten years in charge - Pat remains Northwood's longest-serving manager.
Pete Moran, John Powell and Steve Revell
had spells as manager, before Alan Merison was appointed in August 1988 - Northwood were runners-up then champions of the London-Spartan League and also won the Isthmian League Associate Members Trophy under his leadership.
John Walsh and Steve Emmanuel were the next Woods bosses, then in November 1997 Tony Choules started a six and a half years spell at the helm - he won two trophies and two promotions including to Step 3 level for the first time.
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Mick Harvey followed in August 2004, and had a year in charge, and subsequently Colin Payne took over, and his team won the Middlesex Senior Cup in 2006, the first ever to do so from Northwood. Next up in December 2008 was former AFC Wimbledon boss Dave Anderson, but he left the job the following season after budget cuts were imposed.
Mark Barnham and Steve Hale had fairly brief spells as manager, then Gary Meakin had a decent year in charge before resigning. Next it was Mark Burgess as player-manager, and during his 4.5 years the club won the Middlesex Senior Cup in 2016, still only the second time we have lifted the trophy!
Woods had several fairly short-lived managers subsequently, Simon Lane, Dean Barker, Scott Dash, Jamie Leacock all unable to improve the club's fortunes, then Rob Ursell had just 14 games during the Covid-affected year, whilst Ben Murray took 12 fixtures in 2021.
Ben Bukowski came in as Head Coach in November 2021 and turned things around, avoiding relegation then the following season taking Northwood to the Isthmian League play-offs and Middlesex Charity Cup final. He left in May 2024, but his replacement Scott Donnelly lasted 7 games before Gary Meakin returned for a few months, then players Jack Smith and JJ Bates guided the team to avoid relegation in 2025. They were given the job as a result, but left in January 2026, and the next incumbent Tommy Cooney was unable to save the club from the drop and Northwood's first spell at step 5 since 1992.
So, who has been the Woods' most successful managers? Here are the stats in terms of win percentages:
