A true non-league legend: Paul Holleran leaves Leamington FC

Long-serving manager of Leamington FC, Paul Holleran, has tendered his resignation. Holleran leaves the Brakes after a spell that lasted well over a decade and saw the team experience its most successful era to date, with multiple promotions and a trophy win. The decision comes amid poor league form along with health concerns for Holleran, who has previously spoken of his prostate cancer surgery. He told the club website ‘I have been on a wonderful journey with the football club and want to thank everyone for their fantastic support throughout my sixteen years.

He added, ‘I just feel the time is right for someone else to take over the reins and provide fresh ideas and impetus within the dressing room. Allied to this, I have a number of health appointments in the coming month and my focus in the short term has to be on looking after myself.’

He succeeded in building up a side which has consistently punched above its financial weight and galvanised the town around a team which went out of existence

Holleran was appointed Leamington manager in November 2009. For context, Meet Me Halfway by the Black Eyed Peas was topping the charts and Gordon Brown was Prime Minister at the time. To put some numbers to the Holleran era, he oversaw 789 games in a spell that lasted 5,893 days. But the manager’s impact went far beyond statistics, as he succeeded in building up a side which has consistently punched above its financial weight and galvanised the town around a team which went out of existence for over a decade at the end of the twentieth century.

The decision to part ways comes in difficult circumstances, with the team marooned at the bottom of the National League North. A 2-1 loss against fellow strugglers Alfreton Town right before the new year only worsened matters, leaving the Brakes eight points clear of safety. As of now, it is difficult to foresee a third consecutive season at the level for them, regardless of who is at the helm.

Many Brakes supporters were willing to allow their erstwhile gaffer an opportunity to rebuild the team

With a bond with the club like Holleran had built up, it was always likely that he would be allowed to choose his time of departure. Many Brakes supporters were willing to allow their erstwhile gaffer an opportunity to rebuild the team in the Premier Division Central. After all, the last relegation from National League North in 2023 saw Leamington bounce back at the first time of asking. This was all the more impressive given Holleran was battling cancer at the time.

When considering Leamington’s struggles this season, it is important to consider the budgetary constraints the team faces in a non-league scene where cash is increasingly king Holleran has spoken multiple times in previous months of the disparity that exists between his side and fully professional clubs. Additionally, the Brakes squad saw great continuity between its 2024 promotion and survival in National League North the following season, but has since undergone widespread changes. This has meant the team has been reliant on loanees to plug gaps.

Leamington chairman Jim Scott, who described Holleran as a ‘club legend’, put some words to his legacy. ‘There are insufficient words to express our thanks for the fantastic contribution Paul has made to the club. He may have had the title ‘First-Team Manager,’ but for all the volunteers, fans, and those who interacted with him within the club, his efforts went way beyond his job title, and he has left a lasting legacy that is unlikely to be matched.’

The door is not closed to Holleran continuing to be involved with the Brakes’ day-to-day affairs, and will in the coming weeks discuss such an arrangement with the Brakes’ Board of Directors. Chris Knott has been named interim manager while Leamington undergoes a search for a permanent replacement. Would-be applicants have until the 21st of January to submit their applications to the club. It is as of yet unclear whether a successful history of Football Manager saves will be enough to secure the job.