Following an approach from another club, higher up the pyramid, Ajay Ashanike has today resigned his position as manager of Fisher FC.
This was a very difficult decision for Ajay, and we thank him for the tremendous job he has done, leading the club over the last four years, bringing through so many exciting and talented players, including taking us to our first cup final since reforming. Luke With will also be leaving his role as Assistant Manager to join Ajay at his new club. We wish them both every success in their new roles. They will always be friends of the Fish and welcomed visitors at St Paul’s.
We are pleased to announce that our first team coach Michael Williams has agreed to step up to take charge of the team as first team manager, assisted by Jordan Darwish.
Ajay joined Fisher in the summer of 2019, initially as Assistant Manager to Allan Fenn, but moved into the managerial hotseat that October, guiding the club into the safety of mid-table when the season came to an early end.
The following truncated season still brought an exciting FA Cup run with a famous win over Step Four side Tooting and Mitcham United and the first full season after the pandemic saw a thirteenth place finish. Last year of course saw an amazing eight game FA Cup run taking National League South side Welling United to a replay in front of a record home crowd at St Paul’s and an eleventh place finish in the league. He also led us our first cup final since reforming in the League Challenge Cup.
This season Ajay has guided us to eighth place in the SCEFL Premier Division with another talented rebuilt squad.
His ability to recruit exciting young players and give them a chance in senior football is unrivalled and players such as Ade Olowu (Barnet), Jamie Yila (Chatham Town), Peter Ojemen (Dover) and Cedric Nganga (Glacis United in Gibraltar) have all benefitted from his talent production line whilst in charge at Fisher.
We have had regular approaches for Ajay over the years and as we do with players, have always allowed him to talk freely with his suitors. He now, rightly believes the time is right for him to apply his skills higher up the pyramid and we wish him every success.
Michael Williams has been part of the coaching team throughout Ajay’s tenure at Fisher and is greatly respected by the players and committee alike. The appointment of Michael as manager gives us great continuity to further develop the model Ajay has created and fits in with our ethos of developing young talent. We had no hesitation in asking him to step up and lead the club forwards.
