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With the season nearing an end, work will begin behind the scenes on plans for next campaign involving recruitment and expectations. With Hemel Hempstead set for another season in the National League South, Lee Allinson sat down with us to discuss his career so far, all things Hemel and aims for next season.
Dad Ian had a successful playing career, most notably with Colchester and Arsenal, before a strong stint in management. While Lee takes inspiration from his dad, he’s insistent on making his own name in management.
“Obviously I will take inspiration from my dad and all he has achieved, I would be stupid not to. He was a very good player and manager and should’ve managed higher. I, of course take my experiences from other managers too, but everyone is different, I’m trying to blend what I’ve learnt throughout my career but it is important I am my own person”
Despite his dad’s success, particularly in non-league management, Lee is insistent that he has earned his career.
“People think I have had it easy because of my dad but it’s been tough trying to make a name for myself. He is great in my backroom and I ask him for advice, but at the end of the day it’s my head on that chopping block, so all signings and decisions are finalised by me.
"I love getting to know players, understanding them, how they work and then coaching them - I love that side of the game.”
Allinson had a steady playing career, even playing with Ashley Young in the Watford youth academy. However, a serious hip injury meant he made the jump into management earlier than anticipated. The 40-year-old insists management was always something he wanted to do.
“I have always wanted to be a manager, probably more than wanting to be a player. I think that stems from watching my dad manage as I grew up. I love getting to know players, understanding them, how they work and then coaching them - I love that side of the game.”
Starting his management career at Biggleswade, before moving onto Hendon (Step 3) and now Hemel Hempstead (Step 2), Allinson has progressed through the ranks with his astute football knowledge and tactical nous. While he enjoyed his spells at both Biggleswade and Hendon, he is adamant the decision to leave had to be made.
“It was very tough [to leave Biggleswade and Hendon]. At Biggleswade I loved my time there and am very appreciative for the belief they showed in me, giving me the opportunity to manage. I just felt perhaps the couldn’t meet my expectations, so it was time to move on."
His move from Biggleswade, sixth in the Southern League Premier Division Central, to Hendon, 22nd in the Southern Premier League South left people baffled, but it’s a decision that paid dividends.
Allinson enjoyed five stellar years at Hendon, before leaving in December 2024 to pursue a new opportunity. Under his tenure, The Greens stabilised as a Step Three side, before a tenth place finish in his final full season - a campaign that saw them shock Oldham in a historic FA Trophy run. With the club seventh in the league, he decided to make the step up to the National League South.
“Last season and this season especially I felt we were doing a terrific job. Finishing above the relegation zone was seen as a successful season considering the money we spent. To have the season we did last year on top of beating Eastbourne, Weymouth and Oldham - I loved every minute of it.”
However, like all good things it must eventually come to an end.
“This year, I felt I was ready for a new challenge. It’s rare for a manager to be presented with the opportunity to move from step three to step two without being promoted with the same club. As mentioned, I perhaps didn’t have the budget or resources to put myself in that bracket so the offer from Hemel was too good to turn down.”
Arguably, the jump from Step Three to Step Two is the biggest a club can make in the Non-League pyramid. The National League South is littered with sides with big budgets such as Torquay, Boreham Wood, Dorking, Maidstone and Eastbourne Borough. It is not out the realms of possibilities that four southern teams could be relegated from the National League, further strengthening an already super competitive division.
Despite this, the ambition for The Tudors is to compete with the big hitters.
“I honestly believe with the finances and the backing of the chairman that we can push on and finish in the playoffs and try and win the league."
“The conversations behind the scenes has been on reaching the playoffs. We have been in fantastic form this year, the players are brilliant and we want to make the step. Next seasons league could be the strongest it’s ever been with the relegated sides and Chelmsford likely to challenge but I will set out to win the league - i’d be wrong not to. Even at Hendon, we would always set out to win the title despite the limitations.”
Allinson is also aware that success doesn’t happen overnight, citing the work done by Dean Brennan at Barnet and recent success of other ‘smaller’ clubs at this level.
“I honestly believe with the finances and the backing of the chairman that we can push on and finish in the playoffs and try and win the league. You look at how well Worthing have done and clubs like Braintree, Tamworth and Wealdstone in recent years. Why can’t that be Hemel?
“It’s a brilliant league and we relish pitting ourself against these big sides - we have got a chairman who wants to have a go and we match that ambition as a management team so we are going to give it our best shot”
“It takes time to build a football club. Look at Dean Brennan at Barnet - it took him four years to build a side that’s the best in the National League.”
Hemel Hempstead have invested well off the pitch, with the facilities deemed to be ‘National League level’ from the gaffer.
“We do everything properly on and off pitch and have fantastic facilities . Everything is geared for a push to next level.”
Semi-Professional football presents many challenges - most notably the battle with other clubs to sign top talent. Allinson is aware of the difficulties and ensures he works extra hard on recruitment behind the scenes.
“I love football and go to watch a lot of players when I can, as well as using Wyscout to further analyse the right players and profile. We look at Truro as an example, they’ve done brilliantly in this regard and have a real chance of winning the whole thing.”
Hemel Hempstead’s location can provide some challenges in terms of recruitment. St Albans, Boreham Wood and Bedford FC are all local, with Boreham Wood and Bedford in particular boasting sizeable budgets. When asked on how The Tudors can convince players to join the club, the 40-year-old was affirmative in his response.
“Results. With the run we’ve been on recently, I think people will look at us as a club trying to move forward.
“It is always tough signing players at this level. You have to highlight players you want and look to get them in early. If they don’t want to come then you have to move on to the next target. You have to cast your net wide and find 10 or so players you want and work on them.”
“I’ve always been a manager that doesn’t believe in standing in a players way in terms of moving forward and the chairman shares the same vision"
While signing the right players is crucial, protecting and keeping key assets presents a challenge in itself. Eastbourne Borough have one of the bigger budgets in the league and ransacked other teams in the league, so Hemel will be keen to ensure they keep key players.
However, when it comes to progressing players up the league, Allinson believes it is important to not stand in a players way.
“I’ve always been a manager that doesn’t believe in standing in a players way in terms of moving forward and the chairman shares the same vision
“If someone comes in for a young player we are happy to do business. You’ve only gotta look at Max Kilman who has made Maidenhead a lot of money on sell ons. As long as we get a fair cut of the deal with incentives and sell-ons we are happy to do a deal.”
The 40-year-old has had success in developing players into EFL ready players, with players such as Junior Morias now plying their trade in League Two- this is something Hemel’s manager takes real pride in.
“It makes me proud to see players progress up the league. If players see us develop other players, they will be more inclined to join us and we can sell them the dream. I understand everyone has different circumstances but I never like to see players make a sideways step for a few extra quid."
“However, the league is different to how it’s ever even - finances are very big in this league with a lot of money being spent. It is about finding the balance - we have to be a club that doesn’t make it all about money but we also understand a lot of the time finances are key to get players across the line.”
A noticeable trend throughout the interview was Allinson’s praise for his chairmen - someone he cites as a major reason he has joined the project.
“We are very fortunate the chairman has a couple of houses which plays to our advantage. If we find a player that suits into us and buys into the philosophy but perhaps lives a bit further away, the chairman would house them no problem.
“While we would love to cast the net far and wide over the country, we have to be realistic. Location is key- it can be hard to motivate a player to play to their full potential if they’re driving hours for a match.”
The Non-League scene has also become a hotbed for young talent from the EFL to showcase their skills, emphasising the importance of building strong relationships with clubs - something Allinson has looked to implement since joining.
“When I first joined, there wasn’t much in terms of relationships with the clubs. Now, we have a brilliant relationship with Luton and the three players we have from them have been excellent.”
There is, however, a fine line between short-term success of a club and the importance of player development. While many managers will say there is not much better than developing a young player and seeing them flourish, some rarely get the chance or necessary patience to allow this to happen.
“It is a balancing act. We have three outstanding young players out on loan who will all get a fair opportunity in pre-season before we asses whether they are ready. If they are not, we will send them to step three - if they are then they will be in an around the first team squad. In an ideal world we want them back for the last few games to give them a run out so we shall see.”
He went on to say: “Making sure we win is important. If we don't win I won’t be at the football club - that’s the reality. At the same time you want to try and develop players and make sure when they’re ready, they play.
Since his appointment in December, Hemel Hempstead have been outstanding. He started with a 3-0 win over Weymouth, thwarting a nine game losing streak and a run of 13 games without a win. Back-to-back away losses followed, losing 1-0 to Torquay and Chesham. In the 16 games that have followed, The Tudors have lost just twice- coming against promotion contenders Boreham Wood and table toppers Worthing.
"Worthing taught us a footballing lesson.”
Speaking on the teams that have impressed him much, Allinson said: “I think we’ve been outstanding since i’ve come in and think we have gone toe to toe with a lot of teams. I must say Worthing taught us a footballing lesson.”
It was not a good day for Hemel who lost 3-0 to the Rebels - a scoreline that perhaps even flatters the visitors. However, it is not a game the attack-minded manager will dwell on.
“I got the shape wrong personally. We were in a position where we were virtually safe so I thought we could get after them, press them and really make it tough but they were magnificent, Danny Cashman was as good as anything i’ve seen at this level."
It was Worthing’s sixth victory in a row, before losing to Welling and Hornchurch the week after - showcasing the strength of the league, something that excites Allinson.
“It is a pleasure playing in this league and pitting ourselves against the best this level has to offer. People may raise eyebrows that we drew to Aveley but they’ve already beaten Maidstone, Dorking and Boreham Wood this season, so I think that highlights the strength of this league - anybody can beat anybody.”
On a personal level, I was very very impressed with Allinson. He kindly gave up his time and was happy to answer any questions and chat all things football. On the pitch, he is impressing, firing Hemel Hempstead up the league and leaving them safe with two months of the season yet to play. The Tudors are a club on the up with an ambitious owner and one of the best managers in the non-league scene. The National League South may be stacked next year but do not rule out Hemel Hempstead.
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