Lewis change in the hotseat
Tristan takes temporary control after Mickey resigns
The former Oxford United stalwart, who was appointed over the summer following relegation from National League South, leaves United 19th in the Southern Premier with only three wins all season.
He will stay with the club, working with the academy, with director of football Tristan Lewis taking the reins until a replacement is appointed.
Tristan Lewis, who has already had two spells as United boss, will not put his name forward as he already has enough on his plate with his current role at the club, plus his work with United Select and the Pro-Direct Soccer Academy.
Club chairman Tony O’Driscoll said: “We could rush it and have a new manager in place by Saturday, but we want to make sure it’s the right one.
“We’ve had all sorts of calls, texts and emails already, and we have a few names in mind.
“We’ve had a few managers with no experience, and this time we’ll probably go for somebody who has managed before, preferably at this level, but then again Garry Haylock fitted that bill and him coming back didn’t work out, so nothing can be taken for granted.
“Tristan’s had the job in the past, but with all his other duties, he’s not interested, and we wouldn’t want to put any extra pressure on him.”
O’Driscoll insists Mickey Lewis leaving the role was an amicable process, and it was only the results and high turnover of players which went against the former manager.
He added: “We’ve already been through 40-odd players this year, and the results haven’t been great. Nobody wants to be down where we are, so it’s time to do something different.
“It was a mutual agreement, and Mickey will stay with us to work with our academy. He’s a very good lad and there were no other problems apart from what’s happening on the pitch.”
Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Redditch United, in which Harold Joseph scored and former Durham City defender Tom Gilbey made his debut, proved to be Mickey Lewis’ last match in charge.
Tristan Lewis was due to take charge again for the first time last night (Tuesday) as United ‘hosted’ St Ives Town at Beaconsfield SYCOB. Their home match against Kings Lynn this Saturday has now been switched to an away fixture, while United are also on the road next Tuesday, at Harrow Borough in the Middlesex Senior Cup. SIXTY years ago, Roy Egleton made the pages of the Gazette as he missed a rare game for Uxbridge FC to get married.
Six decades on and here he is once more – celebrating his ruby anniversary tomorrow (Thursday) with the same lovely lady, Constance (nee Crockett).
Back then, in 1956, Great Britain was being gripped by the Suez Crisis, rock and roll was sweeping the world, Grace Kelly married Prince Rainer of Monaco, Rocky Marciano retired as undefeated heavyweight champion of the world and a 15 year old called Pelé made his debut for Santos.
Back in west London, Egleton had quietly made a name for himself as a ‘man for all positions’ at Uxbridge, or what is today known as a utility player.
Having made his debut in the 1953-54 season, Egleton stayed at Honeycroft for seven seasons, scoring 33 goals in 179 appearances before later going on to feature for Yiewsley and both play for and manage Hillingdon Royal British Legion.
His best season by far came in 195960, when he was part of the Uxbridge side which lifted the Corinthian League title, which remains to date the club’s only league championship.
Having started that season at left-back, Egleton was pushed up front due to an injury to Uxbridge’s regular striker, and responded with 12 goals in as many games to help his side clinch the silverware. Amazingly, despite these goal-scoring heroics, Egleton was back in usual position in the Reds’ defence the following season.
A huge Arsenal fan, Egelton actually landed a dream trial with his Gunners heroes ear early on in his career, but had to turn it down due to b being called up for nat national service. Egleton stil still lives locally with his wif wife and apparently picks up the Gazette each week –t– turning straight to the sp sports pages, naturally.
So if you’re reading th this, Roy, happy an anniversary from us all!