the official matchday programme of afc totton …matchday physio imagen still kit manager adam...
TRANSCRIPT
AFC TOTTON VS MONEYFIELDS
BETVICTOR SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTH DIVISION | 26.08.19 | KICK-OFF 3PM | ISSUE 02
THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF AFC TOTTON
STAGS REVIEW 08 - OUR VISITORS - MONEYFIELDS
12 - MATCH REPORT - LARKHALL ATHLETIC (H)
22 - MATCH REPORT - WINCHESTER CITY (A)
28 - MATCH REPORT - BLACKFIELD & LANGLEY (A)
Honorary Life President
Peter Hart
Club President
Mick Carter
Trustees
Paul Maiden
Clive Bratcher
Geoffrey Cook
Executive Committee
Chairman
Wayne Mew
07770 720478
Vice-Chairman
Dave Penny
07754 753426
Treasurer
Carolyn Mew
Ex-Officio
Mick Carter
Club Chaplain
Simon Young
07547 003352
General / Commercial Manager
Wayne Shaw
07881 304120
Football Secretary
Richard Matthews
07958 484615
First Team Management
Manager
Louis Langdown
Assistant Manager
Adam Wilde
Goalkeeping Coach
Steve Hollicks
Sport Therapist
Dave Penny
Matchday Physio
Imagen Still
Kit Manager
Adam Laurenson
General Committee & Others
Child Welfare Officer
Simon Young
Stadium Manager
Darren Chandler
Chief Safety Officer
Claire Wood
Programme Design & Edit
JMA Programmes
@JMAProgrammes
Media
Sean McGlead
Facilities / Stadium Manager
Paul Maiden
Boardroom Hospitality
Sheila Benfield
Head Groundsman
Ken Dunwell
Assistant Groundsman
Ted Rose
Bar Staff
Claire Wood, Jack Chandler,
Angie Hales, Paul Maiden,
Brenda Andrewa, Elaine Hinton
Turnstile Operators
Mick Carter, Andrienne Billows
AFC Totton is a Members Club.
All positions above are elected
annually by members of the
club at the AGM which is held
in August of each year as per
club rules (with the exception
of Honorary Life President)
Southern League Division One
South & West
2010/11
Hampshire Senior Cup
2009/10, 2010/11
FA Amateur Cup - 4th Round
1932/33
FA Challenge Cup - 2nd Round Proper
2010/11
FA Challenge Vase Runners Up
2006/07
Hampshire Intermediate Cup
1946/47, 1966/67, 1981/82
Hampshire Junior Cup
1913/14
Hampshire League West
1924/25
Hampshire League Division One
1981/82, 1984/85
Hampshire League Division Two
1930/31, 1966/67
Hampshire League Division Four
1978/79
New Forest League Winners
1905/06, 1910/11, 1913/14, 1919/20,
1925/26, 1926/27, 1947/48, 1960/61,
1961/62
New Forest League Challenge Cup
1905/06
Perkins Charity Cup
1909/10, 1912/13, 1913/14, 1926/27,
1957/58, 1960/61
Russell-Cotes Cup
1938/39, 1981/82, 1998/99
Southampton FA Senior Cup
1928/29, 1930/31, 1946/47, 1980/81,
1981/82
Wessex League Winners
2007/08
Wessex League Cup Winners
1989/90, 2002/03, 2005/06
CLUB
HONOURS &
CLUB CONTACTS
CLUB OFFICIALS
MEET AFC TOTTON
THE TEAM 2019/20 SQUAD
Alex Cull On loan from Premier League side Southampton FC. The excellent young goalkeeping prospect has represented England at youth level.
Alex Haynes Last seasons players’ player of the season. He’s one of our own after stepping up from the youth team. Former England schools player Alex has impressed everyone at the club.
Matt Bozier Signed permanently after three loan spells from Aldershot FC, the classy defender will look to get a full season under his belt.
Robin Nicholls Our experienced midfielder entering his third season having played southern league football for a host of top sides.
Jack Smith Last season ever present centre back adds game knowledge and steal to the side. Entering his 3rd full season, the Eastleigh FC Academy coach brings a wealth of experience.
Gowan Stares A former New Zealand U20’s player, Gowan has represented Redditch United in the Southern League and after a series of injuries the defender will look for fitness and form.
Adam McWilliam New arrival the former Montrose player has plenty of skill and quality. Will be looking to add goals from midfield to the team.
Jack Masterton The skipper and our silky skilled lefty who’s also entering his 3rd season. Jack can play anywhere, but don’t ask him to head the ball.
Craig Feeney Known affectionately as ‘Mr Totton’ or ‘Goals’. Feens is a regular goal-scorer at this level. He uses his pace and strength very well, scored some cracking goals in a Stags shirt.
Silvano Obeng Arrived from Team Solent after 3 very good seasons. Silv brings good physicality and work-rate to the side, as well and being a cool finisher.
Oli Bradley The wideman has impressed the players and staff and this season promises to be a good year for the rapid attacker.
Liam Callaghan Arrived from Eastleigh Fc, the young attacker has experience at Southern league level and will excite our supporters.
Matt Hall Understudy to Alex, and again on loan from Southampton FC, the big stopper made his debut at 16 for the Stags.
Matt Simms Played in the same Eastleigh Academy side as Liam, and brings a versatility to the squad as he’s able to operate anywhere along the right hand side.
Matt Hartman The former Philippines International is a very experienced and calm footballer. Can operate in midfield or defence.
Mitchell Byrne The talented young centre back arrived from team Solent having played 2 seasons for the Wessex Premier side before reaching 18.
Dave Allen Club captain and a massive part of the football club for the last 4 seasons. The striker turned defender is the ultimate team player.
Liam Farrugia Dual signed from Conference South outfit Weymouth, Liam is a player we can use in a number of positions. Great athleticism and a winner.
James Matthews James broke into the squad last season while playing for our U18’s. He’ll dual sign with neighbours Totton & Eling as we progress him further.
Will Archer The young defender arrived from college football and the well run programme at Sparsholt. His first season in senior football and Will is expected to do very well.
MONEYFIELDS
FULL NAME
Moneyfields Football Club
NICKNAME
Moneys
GROUND
Moneyfields Sports Ground
CAPACITY
1,500 (150 Seated)
CHAIRMAN
Garry Foster
MANAGER
Dave Carter
The club was originally known as Portsmouth Civil Service and
played in the Portsmouth Saturday League. In 1990–91 they won
the Portsmouth Senior Cup and the Portsmouth Saturday League
Premier Division, earning promotion to Division Three of the
Hampshire League. The club retained the Portsmouth Senior Cup
the following season, as well as winning the Hampshire
Intermediate Cup and the Division Three title, resulting in promotion
to Division Two. They retained the Hampshire Intermediate Cup
and won Division Two in 1992–93, securing a third successive
promotion, this time to Division One of the Hampshire League. In
1994 the club was renamed Moneyfields.
In 1996–97 Moneyfields were Division One champions. After
finishing as runners-up the following season, the club were
promoted to the Wessex League. They became members of
Division One when the league merged with the Hampshire League
in 2004, with Division One being renamed the Premier Division in
2005. The club won the Portsmouth Senior Cup again in 2012–13.
In 2016–17 they were Premier Division runners-up and were
promoted to Division One East of the Southern League after
champions Portland United declined promotion.
Honours
Hampshire League
Division One champions 1996–97
Division Two champions 1992–93
Division Three champions 1991–92
Portsmouth Saturday League
Premier Division champions 1990–91
Portsmouth Senior Cup
Winners 1990–91, 1991–92, 2012–13
Hampshire Intermediate Cup
Winners 1991–92, 1992–93
Records
Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 2018–19
Best FA Trophy performance: Second qualifying round, 2017–18
Best FA Vase performance: Fourth round, 2015–16
Record attendance: 250 vs Fareham Town, Wessex League
Division One, 29 October 2005
Biggest win: 9–0 vs Blackfield & Langley, Wessex League, 3
November 2001
Most appearances: Matt Lafferty, 229
Most goals: Lee Mould, 86
Most goals in a season: Warren Hunt, 35 (2010–11)
AFC Totton’s opening game of the 2019/20 season saw them drop all three points against Larkhall Athletic at the Testwood Community Stadium this afternoon.
Unfortunately for the Stags it was a case of defensive errors that did the damage with Larkhall capitalising on two errors in the 1st half that led to a pair of Lewis Powell goals.
Larkhall took the lead when Powell was gifted the opener after a mix up between Stags keeper Archie Matthews and centre half Gowan Stares and Powell was on hand to put the ball into an empty net.
The Larks 2nd goal also came from that man Powell once again, who cashed in on another defensive slip by Dave Allen to fire home past Totton’s keeper Archie Matthews, who only joined the Stags yesterday on loan from Swindon Town.
Much of Totton’s play was neat and tidy and with a better final ball they could have caused Larkhall a number of problems. However, for all of their nice build up play all they had to show for their efforts was a half chance from Matt Simm, who made a nice run in behind the Larks defence before he cut in from the right, only to see his shot charged down by a defender. Ollie Bradley had earlier sent in a shot that Larks keeper Sean Simmons got his body behind without to much difficulty.
Half time: AFC Totton 0 Larkhall Athletic 2
At half time Stags boss Louis Langdown made a substitution bringing on on-loan Eastleigh striker Lewis Beale for Silvano Obeng.
The 1st meaningful action of the 2nd half saw Stags centre half Gowan Stares shoved in the back following a corner. I think most people in the ground saw it, but the officials waved away Totton’s penalty appeals.
Defensive
mistakes
contribute to
opening day
defeat
Afc
totton
1-2 larkhall
athletic
Half time sub Beale made a real impact as the Stags started to look more threaten-ing in the final 3rd. In fact it was Beale who played a huge role in Totton reducing the arrears on 50 minutes.
Robin Nicholls won the ball in the Totton half before he played the ball to Ollie Brad-ley on the left, Bradley then released Beale who showed real trickery in beating a man, and in doing so he found himself one on one with Larks keeper Simmons as he bore down on goal from the left of the box, I think everybody in the ground thought that Beale was going to try and shoot into the far side of the net, but he was alert to Craig FEENEY who was running in on his right and Beale simply played the ball across to him and Feeney does what Feeney does and the Stags were back in the game.
Just a moment or two later Beale was in on goal again in a similar position to the one where he squared the ball to Feeney, but on this occasion Beale tried his luck and Simmons made a decent save.
Larkhall still remained a real threat but without actually creating any clear cut chances and the Stags didn’t really trouble Simmons as much as they would have liked.
Any hopes Totton had of salvaging a point disappeared in the 82nd minute when Dan Restorick restored the visitors two goal advantage following some scruffy de-fending from Dale Evans free kick.
This was not a dreadful performance in my humble opinion. In fact there was not that much to choose between the sides, those two 1st half goals were more down to defensive generosity than good Larkhall play. I don’t want to discredit the Larks, They are a more than adequate outfit, with the one of the best strikers in the divi-sion playing up front in Lewis Powell, Powell loves to score against us by the way, he has done so on many occasions down the years with the various clubs he has played for.
Let’s not forget. There were FIVE debutants starting for the Stags today, with keep-er Archie Matthews only joining on loan from Swindon Town yesterday. There were a further FOUR debutants on the bench, with two of them joining yesterday on loan from Eastleigh, it may take time to bed everyone in but we will get there,
Full time: AFC Totton 1 Larkhall Athletic 3
Match Report by Sean McGlead
FIXTURES & RESULTS Sat 17 Aug Larkhall Athletic D1S L 1-2 Feeney
Tue 20 Aug Winchester City D1S L 1-2 Beale
Fri 23 Aug Blackfield & Langley FAC L 1-2 Feeney
Mon 26 Aug Moneyfields D1S 3pm
Sat 31 Aug Barnstaple Town D1S 3pm
Tue 03 Sept Willand Rovers D1S 7:45pm
Sat 14 Sept Bristol Manor Farm D1S 3pm
Sat 21 Sept Basingstoke Town D1S 3pm
Sat 28 Sept Bideford AFC D1S 3pm
Sat 05 Oct Frome Town D1S 3pm
Tue 15 Oct Fleetlands RCC 7:45pm
Sat 19 Oct Thatcham Town D1S 3pm
Sat 02 Nov Highworth Town D1S 3pm
Sat 09 Nov Cirencester Town D1S 3pm
Sat 16 Nov Cinderford Town D1S 3pm
Sat 23 Nov Melksham Town D1S 3pm
Sat 30 Nov Evesham United D1S 3pm
Sat 07 Dec Mangotsfield United D1S 3pm
Sat 14 Dec Paulton Rovers D1S 3pm
Sat 21 Dec Slimbridge D1S 3pm
Sat 26 Dec Sholing D1S 3pm
Wed 01 Jan Moneyfields D1S 3pm
Sat 04 Jan Winchester City D1S 3pm
Sat 11 Jan Larkhall Athletic D1S 3pm
Sat 18 Jan Basingstoke Town D1S 3pm
Sat 25 Jan Bristol Manor Farm D1S 3pm
Sat 01 Feb Frome Town D1S 3pm
Sat 08 Feb Bideford AFC D1S 3pm
Sat 15 Feb Thatcham Town D1S 3pm
Sat 22 Feb Highworth Town D1S 3pm
Sat 29 Feb Cirencester Town D1S 3pm
Sat 07 Mar Cinderford Town D1S 3pm
Sat 14 Mar Melksham Town D1S 3pm
Sat 21 Mar Evesham United D1S 3pm
Sat 28 Mar Barnstaple Town D1S 3pm
Sat 04 Apr Willand Rovers D1S 3pm
Sat 11 Apr Slimbridge D1S 3pm
Mon 13 Apr Sholing D1S 3pm
Sat 18 Apr Paulton Rovers D1S 3pm
Sat 25 Apr Mangotsfield United D1S 3pm
LEAGUE TABLE
Going into last night's local derby everybody knew it would be a tough game, it is never easy playing City who have a decent side full of quality. The Stags have a predominantly young side, containing a number of as yet un-proven young players. It was just a question of how these lads would handle the pressure of a local derby.
In the 1st half Totton struggled to get to grips with the occasion, too often conceding possession in bad areas. This allowed City's rapid attack to often outnumber us when they picked up a wayward Totton pass. If it had not been for the Stags on-loan Keeper Archie Matthews Totton could have been dead and buried by half time.
Matthews pulled off a number of saves in the 1st half to keep City at bay, some straight forward and some not so straight forward. There was a low shot from Simba Miambo that Matthews gathered early on then Matthews saved from the same man again when he sent in a downward header from Ollie Balmers cross.
Totton made sporadic breaks without creating anything clear cut, for eg on 13 minutes Feeney got in down the left and he sent in a low cross towards the arriving Liam Callaghan, but City snuffed out the danger.
It wasn't just Matthews to thank for keeping the Citizens at bay, some poor finishing also prevented City from taking an early lead and it was that man Miambo who somehow headed over from a couple of yards out from an inviting left wing cross.
Matthews was called into action once again to deny Ollie Griggs on 17 minutes, then he denied Dan Williamson who picked up a ball on the right and ran at the Totton defence before shooting low towards the right hand post.
Just prior to Williamson's shot Craig Feeney got in down the left before he put over a cross that Alex Haynes was close to meeting, but good City defending prevented him from getting in a decent connection.
One of Archie Matthews best saves of the evening came from Griggs on 24 minutes, Matthews managed to get across to push wide a fierce effort from the City No 7.
Then one of those sporadic Totton attacks came on 26 minutes when Matthews long kick downfield was nodded down by Robin Nicholls into Feeney who shot wide. However, if Feeney did manage to find the target it would not have counted as the linesman had his flag up.
City came back at Totton again with yet another attack the resulted in a save from Matthews to deny Miambo, this was followed a few moments later by Danny King firing in a shot that went just wide.
The 1st half was pretty breathless and most of the attacks were coming from City who break at speed, and on 33 minutes Balmer sent in another effort that went wide for the home side.
STAGS
EDGED OUT IN
HAMPSHIRE
DERBY
WINCHESTER
CITY
2-1 AFC
TOTTON
On 38 minutes came a free kick for Totton that was taken by Liam Farrugia, the ball ended up at the feet of Nicholls who sent a low shot wide for the Stags.
With 43 minutes on the clock it looked as if the Stags had somehow kept City at bay. Then from a Totton corner, which was very poor, failing to beat the 1st man, City cleared and yet again they broke at pace, Alex Haynes managed to put the ball out for a throw on the Totton right, but the throw in was quickly taken by City and Totton were slow to react. Jamie Barron then got down the left and crossed into the box where Miambo finished to give City a deserved half time lead.
It is a cardinal sin in football to end up conceding a goal that emanates from your own corner, I am sure a few stern words were spoken in the Totton dressing room at half time regarding that.
Half time: Winchester City 1 AFC Totton 0
Conceding just before the break is never good and some of us were fearing the effect it could have on our younger players. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the reaction we get from them.
Right from the off Totton grabbed the bull by the horns and started attacking with a real purpose and it was now us asking questions of City. We were knocking the ball around quickly and looking dangerous, this was chalk and cheese when comparing it to the 1st half.
The Stags 1st effort of the half came from a free kick that Liam Callaghan sent a foot or two over the City crossbar.
City had a free kick of their own a couple of minutes later and when it arrived in the box former Stags centre half Rob Flooks headed across the face of the Stags goal, but fortunately for us nobody was there to connect with Flooks header.
Totton went about City again and twice in quick succession Liam Callaghan put over decent crosses that nobody was able to get on the end of. Then the Stags forced a corner and it resulted in Nicholls pulling a save from City keeper Ryan Pryce.
City then rattled the Totton crossbar with a Jamie Barron free kick that was somewhat generous awarded.
The improved 2nd half performance was rewarded with an equaliser on 66 minutes, Craig Feeney sent a lovely ball down the Totton right for Liam Callaghan and Callaghan put over a decent low cross that Lewis BEALE met and it was 1-1!
City went about trying to restore their lead and Balmer pulled a save from Matthews with a stooping header. The game could have gone either way at this point with both sides looking capable of winning the game.
Totton forced another corner out on their left and when it came into the box, it was right under the crossbar and City keeper Pryce needed two attempts to gather the ball under pressure.
Ollie Bailey then tried to get his name on the score-sheet but he sent a shot fizzing wide, this was followed by Kieron Douglas heading wide from a corner.
Totton came again with Feeney dragging a shot wide before Lewis Beale made a forceful run into the City box before a last ditch tackle sent the ball out for a corner.
With 5 minutes left on the clock the Stags were looking well placed to get a point but City had other ideas and Danny King managed to put over a looping cross that saw Miambo rise above Ben Scorey to restore City's lead.
With the Stags committed to looking for a late late equaliser City hit Totton on the break with Griggs pulling a save out of Matthews.
Full time: Winchester City 2 AFC Totton 1
PLAYER & STAFF SPONSORSHIP
Adam
McWilliam
Adam
Wilde
Alex
Cull
Alex
Haynes
Craig
Feeney
David
Allen
Gowan
Stares
Jack
Masterson
Jack
Smith
James
Matthews
Liam
Callaghan
Liam
Farrugia
Louis
Langdown
Matt
Bozier
Matt
Hartman
PLAYER & STAFF SPONSORSHIP
Matt
Simms
Mitch
Byrne
Oliver
Bradley
Rob
Nicholls
Will
Archer
When the FA Cup draw was made most AFC Totton fans were frustrated at being drawn away to Blackfield & Langley. The Watersiders were promoted from Division One South last season and they have strengthened further over the summer and they have started well in the Bet-Victor Premier South. So, we all knew that we had a pretty difficult tie on our hands last night.
The Stags made four changes to the starting eleven that lost narrowly at Winchester City on Tuesday evening. Matt Hartmann and Ollie Bradley came in for Ben Scorey and Lewis Beale as their parent club did not want them cup tied, Jack Smith came in for Gowan Stares, who dropped to the bench and Captain Jack Masterton returned in place of Liam Callaghan, who also dropped to the bench. Alex Cull, Mitchell Byrne and Will Archer were the other three substitutes for Totton.
Totton started the tie well and they were awarded a free kick after two minutes for a foul on Robin Nicholls, Jack Masterton took the kick and Watersiders keeper Lewis Noice collected at the 2nd attempt. A moment later Ollie Bradley put over a cross that Feeney did not quite connect with.
Totton were looking confident in possession and they were not allowing their higher league opponents to dictate the play at all. There were a couple of attacks from the home side, but no clear cut chances were created.
As the half wore on Totton continued to look good on the ball and they were working extremely hard to deny Blackfield time and space. Chances continued to be sparse for either side.
On 24 minutes Craig Feeney tried his luck with a long range shot that didn't really trouble Noice too much and just after the half hour mark Hisham Kasimu pulled a save out Stags sub keeper Alex Cull who had come on to replace Archie Matthews who had sustained an injury earlier in the half. Kasimu got into the right of the Totton box before shooting low and Cull got down well.
Then a moment after Kasimu's effort, Totton had an identical chance and it fell to Ollie Bradley and Noice made a save to keep it at 0-0.
Just prior to half time Stags influential midfielder Robin Nicholl's had to be replaced by Liam Callaghan.
Half Time: Blackfield & Langley 0 AFC Totton 0
STAGS GO OUT
THANKS TO
PLUMMERS
DOUBLE
BLACKFIELD
LANGLEY 2-1
AFC
TOTTON
The Watersiders made a bright start to the 2nd period and Stags keeper Cull had to deal with a free kick from Fatah Makhloufi, then a short while later B&L’s Sam Griffin put a cross over to Connal Morrison, but Morrison scuffed the effort well wide, in fact his shot didn’t even go out of play..
On 50 minutes B&L went 1-0 up following a long ball from the right back position which went over the Totton defence and the lightening quick Rudi Plummer was onto it like a flash and he calmly slipped the ball wide of Cull and into the far corner.
Blackfield then had a long-range effort from Josh Harfield that was dealt with comfortably by Cull then that man Plummer used his pace once more to pull another save from the Totton keeper. Plummer then turned creator and he crossed for Griffin, who put his effort wide. Then Plummer got in again and this time his effort was blasted wide.
With Blackfield on top they were awarded a penalty on 65 minutes when Jack Smith brought down Plummer in the box. The resulting penalty was taken by Makhloufi, but his shot clipped the right-hand post and went wide. Totton were visibly lifted by the penalty miss.
There was another chance for B&L which Griffin dragged wide then Plummer used his pace again to get through one on one with Stags keeper Cull and he did well to stop the B&L No 14.
Although B&L had been doing most of the attacking since the break, the Stags had been grafting really hard trying to offer something in attack, but Feeney was looking isolated without Obeng or Beale up alongside him. There had been a half chance for Totton with Feeney going out to the left to pick up a ball and he crossed low into the box where substitute Callaghan connected with a shot that he skewed wide.
Then on 73 minutes the Stags pulled themselves level with Callaghan this time supplying a cross to Feeney, the ball reached the Stags striker via a deflection and FEENEY sent a thunderous strike flying past Noice.so did B&L with their pace and on 77 minutes sub Devan Bongou headed wide from a free kick for the hosts.
Totton continued to look threatening and it was just a case of trying to give nothing away in the dying moments. Unfortunately with just four minutes remaining Totton’s Liam Farrugia had the ball taken off him around 35 yards out from the Totton goal and Blackfield made the Stags pay for giving the ball away because before you could blink Plummer smashed home from the right of the box to send the Watersiders through to the next round.
It was a little harsh on Totton who performed very well, and I think that most people in the ground would have thought Totton were worth a replay.
I personally felt for Farrugia because he had a really good game for the Stags as did most of his teammates. You can see these lads improve each game and they can take great pride in the fact that they performed so well against a decent Bet-Victor Premier outfit. I think the difference between the teams was simply the pace of Plummer, who looks like he can play higher up the pyramid. He is one of the quickest players I have seen in a long time.
Full time: Blackfield & Langley 2 AFC Totton 1
Happy Birthday to the National League!
The NLP office was in absolute overdrive last week as we celebrated 40 years of the National League.
It was while producing our special eight-page pull-out that it truly dawned upon us just how many extraordinary tales and history this division has created; so much so that we ended up writing far too much and spent most of Friday evening frantically trying to cut down word counts and squeeze in as many stories as we possible could!
There were interviews with the likes of Martin O’Neil and Neil Warnock, who both learned their trade in Non-League’s highest tier, however for me, I particularly enjoyed speaking to Peter Hunter, who was secretary of the division when the one up, one down agreement was made with the Football League.
It was during this conversation that I realised just how important the agreement made in 1987 was for both advancing the quality of the division and streamlining the entire Non-League pyramid.
Before then clubs had to apply for a place in the Football League, with just one position up for grabs.
At the time it seems as though this application process was a largely futile event for Non-League clubs to be a part of, with the bottom placed Football League club more often than not coming out on top in the lottery.
In many respects there was essentially a permanent divide between the Football League and Non-League – with the fairy tale dream of a team rising through from obscurity to break into the upper echelons of the English system seeming virtually impossible.
It is amazing to see just what an impact the promotion and relegation agreement has had on Non-League football.
Teams can now dare to dream of making a run through the divisions, while the guarantee of Football League clubs making the plunge into Non-League each year has increased both the quality and the fan base within the National League.
Nowadays, especially with the introduction of two up, two down, the division is in extraordinary health and with attendance records being broken and the likes of Tranmere Rovers using promotion from the National League as a springboard for further success, the future of the league is looking bright!
By Hugo Varley
THE TEAMS Alex Cull
Alex Haynes
Matt Bozier
Robin Nicholls
Jack Smith
Gowan Stares
Adam McWilliam
Jack Masterson
Craig Feeney
Silvano Obeng
Oliver Bradley
Liam Callaghan
Matt Hall
Matt Simms
Matt Hartman
Mitchell Byrne
Dave Allen
Liam Farrugia
James Matthews
Will Archer
Manager
Louis Langdown
Assistant Manager
Adam Wilde
Jake Hallett
Connor York
Conor Bailey
Tyler Giddens
Brett Poate
Sam Pearce
Connor Hoare
Lewis Fennemore
Ryan Pennery
Joe Briggs
Jamie Ford
Lamin Jatta
Matt Brown
Daniel Burroughs
Rhys Lloyd
Owen Craig
Duncan Culley
Curtis DaCosta
Manager
Dave Carter
Assistant Manager
Matt Jones
Coach
Gavin Spurway
Physio
Jon Gath & Nicky Sinden
AFC TOTTON MONEYFIELDS