Sam Cox - The Baller League Manager who is Tearing Up the National League

Sam Cox – The Baller League Manager who is Tearing Up the National League

Wealdstone are absolutely flying in the National League. Sitting at the very summit, it is fair to say that new manager Sam Cox has taken fifth tier football well within his stride.

Though, the current state of affairs is not what many had anticipated at the start of the season, as the Stones had just come off the back of a final-day survival, to then hire a head coach that the critics deemed not worthy of Step 1 management.

Whether their opinions were tinted by Cox’s involvement in the influencer football tournament Baller League UK, or they just didn’t like his style of play prior, there is no doubt that the 34-year-old is starting to prove them all wrong through his side’s impeccable form.

Wealdstone’s Outstanding Start

As early as it is, Wealdstone currently lead at the very top of the National League table, after winning all three games in the league.

They have played Truro, Halifax Town and Woking to kickstart their campaign, scoring two goals in each with their only clean sheet coming against the prior.

(National League Table 2025/26: FotMob)

Despite this being unfamiliar territory for the Ruislip outfit, they have thwarted underdog claims countless times since being in the fifth tier.

Almost every season the Stones are backed as one of the favourites to face the drop, yet with one of the smallest budgets in the league, they continue to occupy a six-year tenure at the pinnacle of non-League.

Last term, Wealdstone managed to retain their place in the league in the very final match of the season. They held Halifax Town to a 3-1 defeat at Grosvenor Vale and although safety wasn’t in their hands, a Dagenham and Redbridge draw meant that the Stones would get another bite of the cherry.

Since then, a lot has changed in the camp too, with Cox coming in, new signings and the departure of their star striker and top goalscorer from last season, Alex Reid. The 29-year-old scored 16 goals on his Wealdstone loan last season and subsequently signed for Hartlepool in the summer.

What is Sam Cox’s Coaching Background?

Just 34 years of age, Sam Cox has only recently finished a successful playing career of his own.

He graduated from the Tottenham Hotspur Academy back in 2009, but without making a senior appearance swiftly moved on to the likes of Cheltenham and Torquay.

The defender then had permanent spells with Barnet, Boreham Wood, Hampton & Richmond Borough and in fact Wealdstone, until he retired from his playing days in 2023 after playing a season at Welling United.

During those years, he also made 26 appearances at international level, playing for Guyana between 2015 and 2021.

Cox began his coaching back where it all started with Tottenham Hotspur. He worked with the academy teams whilst building up experience and earning his badges. That was until he got the call up from his current employers back in 2024.

A year ago, I became manager at Wealdstone until the end of the season. We shared some special moments that will live in the memory for many years. 💙 pic.twitter.com/KvMZnDRS70

— Samuel Peter Cox (@TheSamCox) April 17, 2025

The young coach stepped into Wealdstone as an interim for the club’s final five games of the season. After winning three of them, the former player steered them to safety and soon put himself on the managerial market.

From his efforts, he was picked up by Oxford City in the National League North that same summer. However, following an extremely disappointing start to the campaign, Cox was sacked just three months after his appointment.

The former Spurs man was then out of management for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, although he did feature as the head coach of one of the brand-new Baller League UK teams ‘Yanited’ – a side ran by popular YouTube and Twitch sensation Angry Ginge.

This tournament consisted of small-sided games played across London’s Copper Box Arena and O2 Arena, aired on both YouTube and Sky Sports. The tournament hosted of a plethora of content creators and ex-professionals, with the combination of John Terry, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and co, with KSI, Angry Ginge and Santan Dave.

Once that tournament concluded, Cox was offered a reunion with Wealdstone, as he was once again brought in as manager but this time permanently.

However, his appointment gauged very mixed reactions, with an abundance of pessimism. Of course, Cox’s time with Oxford City was nothing to cheer about, but the new man in charge was written off almost instantly and now look at the fantastic start he has orchestrated.

Massively underwhelmed by this.

Obviously wish him well, however, I predict a lot of heartache and turmoil ahead.

— The Boxing Mad Man (@TheBoxingMadMan) June 5, 2025

What has Changed at the Club?

After being on the tracks of relegation two years running, it was clear Wealdstone needed a change of plan for this season. With the losses of key players, Cox straight away rebuild his squad with a wealth of marquee signings.

The club have brought in 13 players this summer, with the majority of them being free transfers. One of those signings includes Nathan Tshikuna from Eastleigh, who has already netted two goals to begin his campaign.

(Wealdstone FC Transfers 2025/26: Transfermarkt)

Sam Cox’s reconstructed squad adjoined with his fresh ideas and hunger to succeed have simply led to the club’s dream start to the season. The players out there have a burning desire to win and a real togetherness, which can only galvanise positive results.

It goes without saying that the season is a complete marathon and we are only three games in. However, Wealdstone are on the right path for an astounding year in the National League and long may it continue.