Graham Westley

Early life

Born in Hounslow, London, Westley left school at the age of 16 to pursue a career in football.{{cite news | access-date = 1 September 2025}} He briefly undertook an accountancy course, which he did not complete. His grandfather had founded the J&D Organisation in the 1940s, a company providing services to building contractors. Westley joined the business at 19 and, by 1997, was managing it alongside his football career. During this period the company's turnover increased from £1 million to £20 million and its workforce expanded from 50 to 700 employees.

Playing career

Westley began his footballing career as an apprentice with Queens Park Rangers at the age of 16. He represented England at youth level, earning one cap for the under-17 team at the Tournoi Juniors in Cannes in April 1985, and another for the under-18 team in September of the same year. He signed for Gillingham in March 1986, making two Third Division appearances before joining Barnet.{{cite news | access-date = 5 October 2007}} He made his Barnet debut in a 2–2 draw against Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose and scored one goal in three appearances during his time there.{{Cite book | access-date = 9 June 2010 | archive-date = 5 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110905012452/http://www.barnet-mad.co.uk/feat/edz4/past_times_macclesfield_town_514347/index.shtml | url-status = dead

Westley joined Wycombe Wanderers in the latter part of 1987 for a fee of £7,500, marking his debut with a goal in a 2–1 away victory against Telford United.{{cite news | access-date = 30 December 2011 | archive-date = 27 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120127075803/http://www.wycombe.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=267139 | url-status = dead

He subsequently represented a number of non-League clubs, including Kingstonian, Wealdstone, Farnborough Town, Harlow Town, Enfield, Aylesbury United, Harrow Borough, Tooting & Mitcham United, Molesey and Walton & Hersham, three of which he later managed. He scored 33 goals and was named Player of the Season at Enfield during the 1990–91 season, before joining Aylesbury United in December 1992 in exchange for Darren Collins. While at Kingstonian, he suffered a dislocated ankle and a triple leg fracture, an injury that ultimately curtailed his playing career.{{Cite book |access-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531235810/http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/sport/Westley-experience-years-Boro/article-3604474-detail/article.html |archive-date=31 May 2011

Managerial career

Early management

While recovering from a broken leg, at the age of 28 in December 1996,{{Cite book | access-date = 11 July 2010}} followed by his first league win in the subsequent fixture, a 5–2 victory away to Aylesbury United. Kingstonian ultimately drew clear of relegation, with Westley recalling a 3–2 win over champions Yeovil Town at Huish Park as a "memorable victory". Despite guiding Kingstonian to safety, he was dismissed after five months and replaced by Geoff Chapple.{{cite news | access-date = 4 July 2010

In September 1997, Westley was appointed as manager of Enfield, another club for which he had previously played, then competing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. He named Graham Pearce as his assistant, who had also previously played for and managed the club. Despite Enfield's financial difficulties, Westley outlined his ambition to return the club to the top tier of non-League football, stating: "my ambition is to see silverware in the table, and if you can't take the pressure, you shouldn't take big jobs like this one". His first match in charge was a 2–0 home defeat to St Albans City.{{cite news | access-date = 11 July 2010}} Enfield finished in seventh in Westley's first season, and he left the club after nine months in charge.{{Cite book

Farnborough Town

In 1999, Westley acquired a controlling interest in Farnborough Town and appointed himself as manager.{{cite news | access-date = 5 October 2007}} He led the club to a 12th-place finish in his first season and enjoyed success in the Isthmian Cup, winning the competition in 2000.{{cite news | access-date = 5 October 2007}} In the following season, Farnborough won the Isthmian League Premier Division, securing 31 victories from 42 matches and accumulating 99 points.{{cite news | access-date = 13 May 2010}} Westley overhauled the squad shortly after the club's promotion to the Football Conference, which he later described as a "huge regret".{{cite news | access-date = 13 May 2010}} At this point, he also attempted to arrange a merger with Kingstonian, citing the club's Football League-rated ground as the reasoning behind his proposal, although it ultimately did not happen due to fan resistance.

During the 2001–02 season, the club consolidated its position in the first tier of non-League football, finishing in seventh place in the league. In the following season, Westley managed the club to the third round of the FA Cup after a 3–0 victory at Southport, where they faced Darlington at Feethams.{{cite news | access-date = 22 May 2010}} They won the match 3–2 and the club was drawn at home to Arsenal in the fourth round.{{cite news | access-date = 22 May 2010}} The match was moved to Highbury, Arsenal's home stadium, as the tie was expected to generate £600,000 in gate receipts from playing there, whereas staging the match at Cherrywood Road would have yielded the club an estimated £50,000.{{cite news | access-date = 22 May 2010}} Westley departed the club after the sell-out 'home' tie at Highbury, which they lost 5–1.{{cite news |access-date=5 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004192735/http://www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/36398_debt_threat_to_borough_fc__by_cliff_mogg |archive-date=4 October 2011 | access-date = 22 May 2010 | access-date = 9 June 2010

Stevenage

When Westley took over the Hertfordshire club, Stevenage were positioned in 21st place in the Football Conference and six points adrift of safety. Westley was appointed as first-team manager, with no board involvement. With the initial objective of keeping the club in the highest tier in non-League football, he signed seven players from his previous club, Farnborough, as well as his former assistant Graham Pearce, and goalkeeping coach Graham Benstead.{{cite news | access-date = 13 July 2016 | archive-date = 28 August 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160828190935/http://www.boroguide.co.uk/managers/manager.php?ID=10 | url-status = dead | access-date = 22 May 2010}} before earning his first win as Stevenage manager in his third match, a 2–0 victory away to local rivals Barnet on 8 March 2003.{{cite news | access-date = 22 May 2010}} The victory served as the catalyst for an eight-match unbeaten run, which included six consecutive victories and ensured the club avoided relegation, finishing the season in 12th place.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010 | archive-date = 28 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100528151351/http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd | url-status = dead | access-date = 23 May 2010 | archive-date = 28 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100528151351/http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd | url-status = dead

As was the case in previous seasons, Westley made wholesale changes at the end of the season, releasing several of the players he had originally signed from Farnborough and replacing them with a combination of players with Football League experience,{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} as well as players recruited from further down the non-League pyramid.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 13 July 2016}} Westley also provided first team opportunities to players who had progressed through the club's youth system, including George Boyd.{{cite news | access-date = 13 July 2016}} The new squad lost five of the opening eight matches of the club's league season. Following a 4–1 home defeat to part-time Canvey Island,{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} and with Stevenage supporters calling for Westley's departure, he walked across the pitch to the East Terrace and told supporters he "would turn it around". The team responded with four consecutive victories. Stevenage entered the final day of the season needing to beat already-relegated Leigh RMI and also relying on Tamworth to avoid defeat against Morecambe, who were occupying the final play-off position.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} Stevenage defeated Leigh 2–0, while Tamworth held Morecambe to a goalless draw, meaning Stevenage had qualified for the play-offs.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} They overcame second-placed Hereford United 2–1 on aggregate before losing 1–0 to Carlisle United at the Britannia Stadium in the final.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}

The 2005–06 season marked Westley's third season as manager of the club. Although the team were consistent at Broadhall Way throughout the season, they did not replicate this form away from home, winning four away matches all season.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010 | archive-date = 28 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100528151351/http://www.soccerbase.com/league2.sd | url-status = dead | access-date = 23 May 2010 | archive-date = 29 May 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100529094724/http://www.soccerbase.com/squad_season.sd | url-status = dead | access-date = 23 May 2010}} Following this, Westley confirmed in May 2006 that he would leave the club when his contract expired in June, ending his three-and-a-half year tenure with the Hertfordshire club.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}

Rushden & Diamonds

Westley was appointed manager of Conference National club Rushden & Diamonds in December 2006, with the club placed 22nd in the league table, two points adrift of safety.{{cite news | access-date = 5 October 2007}} Westley's first match in charge was a 1–0 victory away to Cambridge United on 26 December 2006.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} He signed several players whom he had previously managed at Stevenage, including Jamie Cook, David Perpetuini, and Dino Maamria.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} Westley also recruited Michael Bostwick and Chris Beardsley, younger players who he had previously written about in his weekly column in The Non-League Paper.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} The team recorded five consecutive victories in the league, including wins away at the top two teams in the league at the time, Oxford United and Dagenham & Redbridge.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} Westley was dismissed after a 2–2 draw at Aldershot Town in February 2007.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} He had taken the club from 22nd to 12th in the space of two-and-a-half months, and the team were on a seven-match unbeaten run at the time. Westley managed Rushden for 13 games, winning seven, drawing three, and losing three. No reasons were given for Westley's departure, and he was replaced two days later by Garry Hill.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}}

Kettering Town

After leaving Rushden, Westley was appointed caretaker manager of Conference North club Kettering Town for the remainder of the 2006–07 season on 20 April 2007.{{cite news | access-date = 13 October 2007}} His first match in charge was a 0–0 draw away to Stalybridge Celtic.{{cite news | access-date = 6 July 2010}} Kettering finished the season in second place,{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160912211546/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/conference-north/2006-2007 | url-status = live | archive-date = 12 September 2016 | access-date = 6 July 2010 | access-date = 9 June 2010}} He left Kettering when his short-term contract expired in May 2007, having managed the club for four games.{{cite news |access-date=23 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922144245/http://www.ketteringtownfc.co.uk/club_info.php?mode=history |archive-date=22 September 2010

Return to Stevenage

After almost a year without work in football, Westley returned as manager of Stevenage on 2 May 2008, two years after his departure from the club.{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} Upon his return, Westley stated he had come to "finish the job he started", referring to his ambition of guiding the club into the Football League for the first time in its history. He said that "the moment was right" for him to return to football management and that he "had some very good times at Stevenage before".{{cite news | access-date = 23 May 2010}} His appointment was met with scepticism by some Stevenage supporters, but Westley promised to deliver a winning team. Westley began by overhauling the squad during the summer transfer window, bringing in 12 new players. Among those recruited were Gary Mills and David Bridges, both of whom Westley had managed during his time at Kettering.{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}} He also signed Michael Bostwick and Mark Albrighton, whom he had previously recruited at Rushden & Diamonds.{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}}

Stevenage began the season by losing three out of their first four games and conceding 13 goals in the process, including a 5–0 defeat to Wrexham on the first day of the season.{{cite news | access-date = 21 July 2009}} During the first half of the 2008–09 season, the club struggled with the same inconsistency that had characterised Westley's first spell as manager, losing three consecutive matches in November, the last of which was a 2–1 home defeat to Wrexham; it would prove to be Stevenage's last defeat at Broadhall Way in the league for the next 18 months.{{cite news | access-date = 8 August 2010}} Westley appointed former player Dino Maamria as first-team coach at the club. This, combined with several mid-season signings, including Chris Day, Mark Roberts, and Jon Ashton, contributed to an improvement in form during the second half of the season.{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}}{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}} A club-record 24-match unbeaten run, which lasted from December 2008 to April 2009, ensured that Stevenage qualified for the Conference Premier play-offs, finishing in the last play-off position.{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}} Despite holding a 3–1 lead going into the second leg, Stevenage lost 4–3 on aggregate to Cambridge United.{{cite news | access-date = 24 October 2010}} The club won the FA Trophy that season, defeating York City 2–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium. The victory marked Westley's first managerial honour with Stevenage.{{cite news | access-date = 22 July 2009}} Following the match, he signed a one-year contract extension.

Stevenage started the 2009–10 season by recording just one win from their first five matches. Following a 2–1 defeat to Oxford United in August 2009,{{cite news | access-date = 22 August 2009}} the team embarked on a 17-match unbeaten run from August to December 2009, ascending into the top two positions. Unlike in previous seasons, the club performed strongly away from home, securing victories against promotion rivals Luton Town and Mansfield Town.{{cite news | access-date = 29 September 2009}} A 4–1 victory against Cambridge United on New Year's Day saw Stevenage positioned in first place in the league table for the first time that season.{{cite news | access-date = 1 January 2010}} Two away defeats within the space of a week in February allowed rivals Oxford United to establish an eight-point lead going into March 2010. Stevenage responded by winning eight consecutive games, including a 1–0 victory over Oxford United in late March, subsequently overtaking them at the top of the table.{{cite news | access-date = 30 March 2010}}

Stevenage earned promotion to the Football League with two games to spare following a 2–0 victory against Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough on 17 April 2010.{{cite news | access-date = 17 April 2010}} The team won their last six league games without conceding a goal, recording 42 points from a possible 45 across their last 15 league fixtures.{{cite news | access-date = 24 April 2010}} Stevenage finished the season having amassed 99 points from 44 games, winning the league by 11 points.{{cite news | access-date = 24 April 2010 | archive-date = 25 December 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081225182720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/conference_table/default.stm | url-status = dead | access-date = 8 May 2010}} At the end of the season, Westley signed a new two-year contract, keeping him contracted to the club until 2012.{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2010}} On signing the new deal, Westley stated: "I am grateful for all the support that we have all been given in the past two years. I am delighted to have the opportunity to manage the launch of the club into the Football League".{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2010}} In his first two seasons back at the club, from May 2008 to May 2010, Westley was in charge for 114 games, recording 70 victories and a win percentage of 61.40%.

In a manner similar to the previous season, but in contrast to his first spell at the club, the 2010–11 season saw five players join the club, while five others departed during the close season.{{cite news | access-date = 4 June 2010}} The club began the season inconsistently, with Westley stating the season would be a "massive learning curve" for both himself and the players.{{cite news | access-date = 1 July 2011}}{{cite news | access-date = 1 July 2011}}{{cite news | access-date = 1 July 2011}} Following four defeats in six matches during December 2010 and January 2011, Stevenage were placed 18th in League Two, four points above the relegation places.{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2011}}{{cite news | access-date = 15 January 2011}} Throughout February and March 2011, Stevenage won nine out of eleven matches, moving into the play-off positions. This included six consecutive victories, a sequence matched only by Bury that season.{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2011 | archive-date = 4 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110904013519/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-two/2010-2011/longest-sequences/full | url-status = live | access-date = 1 July 2011}} They faced fifth-placed Accrington Stanley in the 2010–11 League Two play-off semi-finals, winning both legs by a 3–0 aggregate scoreline.{{cite news | access-date = 1 July 2011}}{{cite news | access-date = 1 July 2011 | access-date = 1 July 2011 | access-date = 10 July 2011 | access-date = 29 January 2011}} In the previous round, Stevenage defeated Premier League club Newcastle United 3–1 at Broadhall Way.{{cite news | access-date = 29 May 2011}}{{cite news | access-date = 8 January 2011 | access-date = 1 July 2011}}

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Westley signed a three-year contract extension at Stevenage, which kept him contracted to the club until 2014.{{cite news | access-date = 23 August 2011}}{{cite news |access-date=23 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612025601/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2429330%2C00.html |archive-date=12 June 2012 |access-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616112814/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2375233%2C00.html |archive-date=16 June 2011 |access-date=21 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527135638/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2379983%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2012 |access-date=27 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630142640/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2382258%2C00.html |archive-date=30 June 2011 |access-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527140155/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2389240%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2012 |access-date=26 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609121133/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2402044%2C00.html |archive-date=9 June 2012 |access-date=20 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527135543/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2379238%2C00.html |archive-date=27 May 2012 | access-date = 12 January 2012}} The club also inflicted Charlton Athletic's first league defeat of the season after a 1–0 win against the league leaders.{{cite news | access-date = 12 January 2012}} The victory against Charlton served as the catalyst for a 13-match unbeaten, and a 6–1 away victory at Colchester United on Boxing Day 2011 meant the club moved into sixth place, occupying the final play-off position.{{cite news | access-date = 12 January 2012}}{{cite news | access-date = 12 January 2012 | archive-date = 16 February 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130216054553/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2011-2012/table/2011-12-26 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121209042737/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16371666.stm | url-status = live | archive-date = 9 December 2012 | access-date = 12 January 2012}}

Preston North End

In January 2012, Preston North End asked for permission to speak to Westley with the view to appointing him as their new manager.{{cite news |access-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112055307/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2570960%2C00.html |archive-date=12 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111005629/http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/pne_bid_for_westley_unwelcome_1_4119098 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 11 January 2012 | access-date = 12 January 2012 |access-date=12 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111120809/http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/league_football_2_1863/pne_s_ridsdale_in_talks_with_westley_1_4122924 |archive-date=11 January 2012 | access-date = 13 January 2012}} Westley was appointed Preston's new manager on 13 January 2012.{{cite news |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116023618/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2575845%2C00.html |archive-date=16 January 2012 |access-date=13 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117103314/http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10362~2576343%2C00.html |archive-date=17 January 2012 | access-date = 14 January 2012}} His first match in charge of the club was a 2–0 home defeat to Leyton Orient on 21 January 2012.{{cite news | access-date = 22 January 2012}} He earned his first victory in his fourth match in charge, securing a 1–0 home win over Hartlepool United on 14 February 2012.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Following Preston's 2–0 televised defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 31 March 2012,{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Westley stated that a Sheffield Wednesday player had informed him that four Preston players had leaked the Preston team and tactics to the opposition ahead of the match.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Westley stated: "It doesn't surprise me. When you have got people in your own camp working against you it is tough".{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Preston won just two of their remaining 17 matches,{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} finishing the season in 15th place.{{cite news |access-date = 13 February 2013 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120519150800/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-one/2011-2012/table |archive-date = 19 May 2012 | access-date = 13 February 2013}}

Westley overhauled the playing squad ahead of the 2012–13 season;{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Preston announced that 21 players would be leaving the club, 14 of whom were released at the end of their contracts, while a further seven were transfer-listed.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Preston signed 18 players during the summer transfer window, including Scott Laird, John Mousinho, Joel Byrom, and Chris Beardsley, four players from Westley's former club, Stevenage. Westley stated a desire for the new group of players to be committed to his ideas. Preston started the season by defeating Championship club Huddersfield Town 2–0 at Deepdale in the League Cup.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} Later on in the month, the team secured consecutive 4–1 home victories, beating Crystal Palace and Swindon Town respectively,{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}}{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} and also defeated Hartlepool United 5–0 a month later.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} After this, the club won just two league matches in four months, from October 2012 to February 2013.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} A day after Preston's 3–1 away defeat to Yeovil Town on 12 February 2013,{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} the club released a statement announcing Westley had been sacked.{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}}{{cite news | access-date = 13 February 2013}} With Preston sitting five points above the relegation zone, "the board felt that a change of manager was the only way forward". Reflecting on his time at Preston, Westley stated he had to "slash the wage bill by 60 percent", and as a result the "re-building was well underway but the club lost confidence in me whilst I was doing it. They just want results. Short-term pain is necessary sometimes. It was necessary at Preston. And the fans got restless. I get that. Just as managers have to be brave enough to grit their teeth and face up to that, so owners have to be brave at difficult times. And they have to be able to understand the issues. I knew the answers to problems but I wasn't being allowed to solve all the problems".

Third spell at Stevenage

After a month out of work,{{cite news | access-date = 30 March 2013}} Westley rejoined Stevenage on 30 March 2013, marking his third spell as manager at the club.{{cite news | access-date = 30 March 2013}}{{cite news | access-date = 30 March 2013}} On the appointment, Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace stated: "Graham was keen to come back to Stevenage and, although I met some strong candidates, without doubt I think he's the best man for the job right now. The club enjoyed a great deal of success before he left last year and we moved forwards significantly in his time here on several levels". On his return, Westley commented: "I'm really happy to be back, the training ground is fantastic, the club just keeps moving forward. All the facilities keep improving and I hope that I can come back and make another positive difference".{{cite news | access-date = 30 March 2013}} In his first match back in charge, Stevenage secured a 1–0 victory over Hartlepool United on 1 April 2013.{{cite news | access-date = 1 April 2013}} Stevenage ended the 2012–13 season in 18th place, after which Westley released four players and placed a further three on the transfer list.{{cite news | access-date = 20 May 2013}}

He signed seven players in preparation for the 2013–14 season, and further strengthened the squad by signing striker François Zoko in September 2013.{{cite news | access-date = 4 October 2013}} However, the team did not recover from a poor start to the season, and despite a late six-match unbeaten run, they ended the season in last place and were consequently relegated to League Two, finishing eight points adrift of safety. Westley responded by releasing nine players, while a further four were sold. Westley was forced to largely rebuild the squad for the 2014–15 season, and brought in 15 new signings. He guided the team to play-off qualification with a sixth-place finish, before they were beaten by Southend United 4–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals, having conceded two goals in extra-time of the second leg fixture at Roots Hall. Westley was replaced as manager by former England striker Teddy Sheringham on 21 May 2015.

Peterborough United

After travelling to the United States to meet with Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony, Westley was appointed manager of the League One club on 21 September 2015.{{cite news | access-date = 4 October 2015}} He was named League One Manager of the Month for November 2015 after Peterborough earned 12 points and scored 14 goals from four league matches, receiving praise for the team's open and attacking style of play. Having initially moved into the play-off places in January 2016, Peterborough were in 14th place following a 2–0 defeat to Scunthorpe United at London Road on 23 April 2016, and Westley was subsequently sacked later that day.

Newport County

Westley was appointed manager of League Two club Newport County on 7 October 2016, following the dismissal of Warren Feeney. Despite Westley criticising his players with some "harsh words", stating he was "not prepared to tolerate that sort of rubbish anymore", Newport went on to lose eight successive games, which Westley described as "embarrassing" and "humiliating". Club secretary Graham Bean resigned in December, stating: "Graham Westley is an impossible man to work with... he needs to learn some manners and start treating people with some respect". He signed 14 players during the January transfer window, a move he admitted was a "short-term risk". However, he failed to arrest the team's decline and was dismissed on 9 March 2017 with Newport 11 points adrift at the bottom of League Two. The club's board stated that they had consulted both fans and the players over their decision to dismiss Westley; he had been confronted by irate supporters at Rodney Parade. Following his departure, transfer-listed midfielder Mark Randall stated he had been "treated quite unfairly" by Westley. Caretaker-manager Michael Flynn subsequently oversaw an unlikely escape from relegation, guiding the team to seven victories in the final 12 matches of the 2016–17 season.

Westley maintained that his strategy had played a key part in Newport's survival,{{cite news | access-date = 20 March 2018}} stating: "If you go back to the AGM just after the turn of the year, Newport were rooted to the bottom of the Football League and I was very clear there was one way out of it — turning the whole squad over in January. I put together a team to function on the bog of a pitch that was Rodney Parade and my strategy is what kept that club in the Football League. Yes, it happened under Flynny's management but I think anyone who is honest would say I did a very good job in working out a way of surviving and building a squad that would win the games at home to keep them in the League".

Barnet

Westley was appointed head coach of League Two club Barnet on 15 January 2018.{{cite news | access-date = 15 January 2018}} Barnet chairman Anthony Kleanthous stated that the appointment had come to fruition after Westley had been recommended to him by Peterborough United director of football, Barry Fry.{{cite news | access-date = 20 March 2018}} Despite his previous ties with local rivals Stevenage, Westley had been identified as a "high-impact manager" capable of reversing Barnet's fortunes, with the club sitting at the bottom of League Two at the time of his appointment. He joined Barnet on a rolling contract. Westley's first match in charge was a 1–1 draw with Lincoln City on 20 January 2018.{{cite news | access-date = 20 March 2018}} He was sacked by Barnet on 19 March 2018, two months into his tenure, and was immediately replaced by Martin Allen.{{cite news | access-date = 19 March 2018}} Barnet won two matches out of 11 with Westley in charge, drawing four and losing five.

Fourth spell at Stevenage

Westley returned to Stevenage for a fourth time on 15 December 2019, four and a half years after his previous spell as manager of the club.{{cite news | access-date = 25 May 2023}} He signed a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season, with the club positioned in 23rd place in League Two at the time of his appointment. Westley officially commenced the role on 23 December 2019, and the club signed nine players during the January transfer window. Having won two of his 15 matches as manager, Westley resigned on 16 February 2020 with Stevenage in 24th place, seven points adrift at the bottom of League Two.{{cite news | access-date = 25 May 2023}}

Personal life

Westley wrote a weekly column in The Non-League Paper, sharing his views and experiences on the non-League game.{{cite news |access-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616103305/http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=38656 |archive-date=16 June 2011 |access-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326140008/http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/article.asp?aid=3403&iid=73&sud=231 |archive-date=26 March 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100805013245/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/leaguetwo/7924607/Ambitious-Stevenage-plan-on-a-long-stay-in-the-Football-League.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 5 August 2010 | access-date = 5 August 2010

Statistics

Playing statistics

Source:

Managerial statistics

Honours

Farnborough Town

• Isthmian League Cup: 2000–01
• Isthmian League Premier Division: 2000–01

Stevenage

• Football League Two play-offs: 2011
• Conference Premier: 2009–10
• FA Trophy: 2008–09; runner-up: 2009–10{{cite news | access-date = 7 May 2019}}

Individual

• Conference Premier Manager of the Month: October 2005,{{cite news | access-date = 9 June 2010}} January 2009,{{cite news | access-date = 9 June 2010}} January 2010{{cite news | access-date = 9 June 2010}}
• Football League One Manager of the Month: November 2015

References

References

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23. {{ENFA