Today we feature Ian Wolstenholme who masterminded Harlow’s famous FA Cup run of the 1979-80 season.
Born on the 12th January 1943 in Bradford. Ian took over as manager of the club in October 1976 after managing local rivals Bishop’s Stortford.
As a goalkeeper he had a successful career, which started, at York City, where he made two Football League appearances as an amateur. He later played for the famous amateur club Sheffield FC, before moving south and joining Enfield. He won two FA Amateurs Cup winner’s medals and three Isthmian League championship medals whilst at Southbury Road. In the 1967 final against Skelmersdale United, he saved a penalty in the last minute of extra time when the score was 0-0. Enfield went on to win the replay 3-0.
In 1971 he moved to Slough Town where he won two Athenian League titles and made another appearance in the Amateur Cup Final, but was unable to complete a hat-trick of winners medals as the Rebels went down 1-0 to Walton & Hersham. In season 1971-72 Ian made two appearances for the England Amateur side. His caps came against Denmark and Iceland.
After going into management with Bishop’s Stortford, he joined Harlow in October 1976 and immediately transformed a very poor Harlow side. Unfortunately this form could not be maintained and the club slipped back down the table. By the start of the following season Ian had recruited many of his former players from Bishop’s Stortford and the team began to buzz. The 1978-79 season saw the team run away with the Isthmian League Division One title as well as winning the Essex Senior Cup for the first (and so far only) time.
The following season saw Wolstenholme guided Harlow from the preliminary round of the FA Cup to the fourth round proper where he demonstrated his tactical awareness to the full. Nobody could be certain of a place in the side as he would bring players in and out to suit his tactics for a particular match. I remember having a long chat with Ian on the Thursday before our trip to Leicester on the Saturday. He told me in detail how he thought the game might develop and what tactics he would use to for certain situations during the game. Well, he was spot on, and that was after just one spying mission on the opposition and well before the days of video or DVD’s.
Ian built his side around a strong base of schoolteachers, which was his own profession. He would never admit to a preference for this sort of player, stating that it was just a coincidence that his team building happened that way.
Inevitably the side began to break up over the next couple of years and despite bringing in new players he was unable to build another successful side and the club slipped towards relegation. In February 1982 he resigned to be replaced by coach Gwyn Walters. It was a sad end to his association with the club. He had built probably the best team the club had ever had and brought it the most publicity and limelight it was ever likely to achieve.
Ian did make one appearance for the club when he wore the goalkeepers jersey in a home match against Walton & Hersham in September 1977. Oddly enough three Harlow managers featured in this line-up. Current manager Wolstenholme, Gwyn Walters, who took over from Wolstenholme, and then Dave Edwards who was to take charge of the team in 1985.
Born on the 12th January 1943 in Bradford. Ian took over as manager of the club in October 1976 after managing local rivals Bishop’s Stortford.
As a goalkeeper he had a successful career, which started, at York City, where he made two Football League appearances as an amateur. He later played for the famous amateur club Sheffield FC, before moving south and joining Enfield. He won two FA Amateurs Cup winner’s medals and three Isthmian League championship medals whilst at Southbury Road. In the 1967 final against Skelmersdale United, he saved a penalty in the last minute of extra time when the score was 0-0. Enfield went on to win the replay 3-0.
In 1971 he moved to Slough Town where he won two Athenian League titles and made another appearance in the Amateur Cup Final, but was unable to complete a hat-trick of winners medals as the Rebels went down 1-0 to Walton & Hersham. In season 1971-72 Ian made two appearances for the England Amateur side. His caps came against Denmark and Iceland.
After going into management with Bishop’s Stortford, he joined Harlow in October 1976 and immediately transformed a very poor Harlow side. Unfortunately this form could not be maintained and the club slipped back down the table. By the start of the following season Ian had recruited many of his former players from Bishop’s Stortford and the team began to buzz. The 1978-79 season saw the team run away with the Isthmian League Division One title as well as winning the Essex Senior Cup for the first (and so far only) time.
The following season saw Wolstenholme guided Harlow from the preliminary round of the FA Cup to the fourth round proper where he demonstrated his tactical awareness to the full. Nobody could be certain of a place in the side as he would bring players in and out to suit his tactics for a particular match. I remember having a long chat with Ian on the Thursday before our trip to Leicester on the Saturday. He told me in detail how he thought the game might develop and what tactics he would use to for certain situations during the game. Well, he was spot on, and that was after just one spying mission on the opposition and well before the days of video or DVD’s.
Ian built his side around a strong base of schoolteachers, which was his own profession. He would never admit to a preference for this sort of player, stating that it was just a coincidence that his team building happened that way.
Inevitably the side began to break up over the next couple of years and despite bringing in new players he was unable to build another successful side and the club slipped towards relegation. In February 1982 he resigned to be replaced by coach Gwyn Walters. It was a sad end to his association with the club. He had built probably the best team the club had ever had and brought it the most publicity and limelight it was ever likely to achieve.
Ian did make one appearance for the club when he wore the goalkeepers jersey in a home match against Walton & Hersham in September 1977. Oddly enough three Harlow managers featured in this line-up. Current manager Wolstenholme, Gwyn Walters, who took over from Wolstenholme, and then Dave Edwards who was to take charge of the team in 1985.
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