AFC Totton
The AFC Totton fans on twitter have voted this as their team of the last decade and here it is…
Shane Murphy – Shane joined the Stags from Dorchester Town in 2017. The former AFC Bournemouth stopper was a consistent performer for Louis Langdown’s side, and he soon became popular with the Totton fans. His performance at home to Cirencester in December 2017 will always stick in the mind. He single hendedly kept the Centurions at bay that day, allowing his side to pick up a fortuitous 2-1 victory.
Aidan Lewis – The pintsized right back was signed by legendary boss Stu Ritchie. His energy and enthusiasm for the game was terrific. He used to get up and down the right flank and the AFC Totton fans loved him. Lewis was not known for scoring goals but on the day he did score against North Leigh at Testwood Park the roar from the ground was probably heard in Southampton city Centre!
Michael Green – A talented left back, Mike joined AFC Totton from Eastleigh. Matt Troon was a hugely popular left back at Testwood Park at the time, so Mike had to be something special to nail down the clubs No3 shirt. Mike soon proved that he had terrific ability and he soon became a big favourite with the Totton fans, and he made the No3 shirt his own. Mike went on to play in the football league for Port Vale later to return to Eastleigh in the National League where he is a hugely popular player.
Ian Richardson – Ian was a bit of a utility player for the Stags. He was one of the clubs 1st signings after their promotion from the Wessex League in 2008. He joined the club from Poole Town. Ian could play anywhere in the back four or in midfield and he was a steady performer wherever he played. One lasting memory of Rico was in a game at Uxbridge just over a decade ago. The Stags trailed 3-2 with the game in the dying moments and. Ian came off the subs bench as a makeshift striker. Rico scored twice in three minutes and the Stags won 4-3!
Jamie Whisken – Jamie joined the Stags after being released by AFC Bournemouth. Whisken was an immense presence at centre half and he played a huge part in the club’s promotion to the Southern Premier Division in 2011, as well as their two Hants senor Cup successes in 2010 and 2011. Jamie stayed with the Stags until 2013 when he departed for Poole Town.
Ryan Scott – Formerly of Aldershot Town and Barnet, Scotty was another player who became a big part of Stuart Ritchie’s successful Stags side. The gritty midfielder was one of those players who opposing fans hated, whilst he was loved by the AFC Totton regulars. Ryan went on to play at Gosport Borough with Stags assistant boss Adam Wilde.
Jono Davies – Jono was and still is a very talented player. He could play as a striker, or as a wide man. He joined the Stags from Salisbury City and soon established himself in Stu Ritchie’s side. Jono possessed a real box of tricks and he knew where the net was! Davies left to join Poole Town in 2013. He currently plies his trade with Frome Town.
Carl Pettifer – Carl was the most consistent player I have seen in my time watching the Stags. He was a brilliant midfielder who played well every week! He was a fantastic signing for AFC Totton. He had previously played for Portsmouth, Exeter City, AFC Bournemouth, Southend United, Oxford United and Bognor Regis Town. He had played over 160 games in the football League. At Southend Carl was a very popular player who played in two play off finals and a Football League Trophy final (Now Checkatrade Trophy) at the Millenium Stadium. Carl was another player who departed for Poole Town in 2013.
Michael Charles – Charlesy was a gifted striker who had previously plied his trade with Farnborough Town and Woking. Charles seemed to be one of those strikers who had the knack of being in the right place at the right time. He was part of the successful AFC Totton team who won promotion to the Southern Premier in 2011 and he played a big part in the Stags making the Southern Premier play off final in 2012. Charlesy will also be fondly remembered for scoring a hat-trick for the Stags in the 1st ever game at the Testwood (Snows) Stadium against Paulton Rovers.
Mark Osman – Mark was one of the most talented players to ever wear an AFC Totton shirt. Osey was a Totton lad who had the talent to go much higher in the game. Mark was quite happy to play in the Wessex and Southern League with his hometown Club and he was another one of those very popular players with the Stags fans.
Mike Gosney – The wizard of Gos needs no introduction. He was an immensely talented footballer who was technically brilliant. His free kicks and corners were as good as the likes of Southampton’s James Ward Prowse. Gos had trials with football league clubs, but for whatever reason he didn’t make that step up that most people in local non-League football thought he would. Gosney scored an incredible 40 goals in the 2010/11 season when the Stags won the Southern League Division One south and west championship. Gos was signed from Winchester City as a 16-year-old in 2005 by Stuart Ritchie and he went on to break the club’s appearance record in January 2016. He made 427 appearances in two spells with the Stags before departing in 2017 for Lymington Town.
Craig Feeney – Craig is the only player in the above list who still wears the AFC Totton shirt. Feeney is very good striker who will almost certainly bag you 20 goals a season minimum. Craig is in his 2nd spell at the Snows stadium, having previously played for the Stags in 2014-15 under Steve Riley who signed him from our neighbours Totton and Eling. Feeney is a very popular player with the Totton supporters who appreciate what he does for the current side.
Gareth Barfoot – Goalkeeper Gareth was another one of those players who the Totton fans adored. Barfs was voted Totton’s player of the year in 2008/9 and he was a key part of the club’s success in the Stuart Ritchie era. Barfoot re-joined the club during 2012/13 under Steve Riley. Barfs went on to play as high as the Conference South when he was with Ian Baird’s Eastleigh.
Stefan Brown – Stefan was with the Stags at a time when they were loaded with striking talent. Despite not making as many appearances as he would have liked. Brown managed to show the Totton fans that he was a very good striker and the fans took to him and he became very popular with them. Stefans best moment with the Stags was coming off of the bench and scoring a hat-trick in the FA Cup 1st round proper when the Stags destroyed former football League Club Bradford Park avenue 8-1. Another ‘stick in the mind’ moment from Stefan was the brilliant chipped goal v Paulton Rovers in the 1st game at the Testwood (Snows) Stadium in 2011. Stefan has gone on to play in the National League South with Hungerford Town, Wealdstone and Oxford City.
Nathaniel Sherborne – Sherbs is simply an AFC Totton legend. He joined the club in 2007 from Alton Town and stayed with the club until 2018 when he retired. Sherbs was another striker who spent a few years battling for a starting place with four or five other very good strikers. One stat that I always bring up regarding Sherbs is that his scoring record was as good as anybody’s at the club in terms of minutes per goal. He was one of the best strikers I have seen in one on one situations and his pace used to frighten defenders to death! Sherbs suffered an horrific ankle injury in 2012 which kept him out of the game for more than 18 months. Despite people doubting that he could come back, he did, and he became a vital part of Steve Hollicks, then Louis Langdowns side up until his retirement. Sherbs was rewarded with a testimonial by the club in 2018.
Bailly Cargill – Cargill was very talented left sided player who came on loan to the Stags from AFC Bournemouth in 2012/13. It was plain to see from the off that Bailly was a very good player and he went on to play for England U20’s whilst with the Cherries. Bailly spent a few loan spells with clubs such as Coventry City, Gillingham, Fleetwood Town and Partick Thistle in Scotland. Bailly is now playing for the MK Dons in League One. Whilst with the Stags in 2012/13 Cargill was voted player of the season by the Totton faithful.
Nathan Campbell – Nathan was a defensive midfielder signed from Croydon Athletic by Stuart Ritchie. Campbell played a big part in the club’s success in 2010/11. Campbell chipped in with some vital goals for the club, no more so than the one he scored v Hanworth Villa in the 4th qualifying round of the FA Cup in 2011.
Connor York – Connor was signed by current manager Louis Langdown, initially on loan from AFC Bournemouth in 2017, before he signed for the Stags in 2018. York was a rampaging right back who formed a brilliant partnership down the right with Curtis Young in 2017/18. York is a talented player who may yet make it back into the Pro game. Connor left the Stags to join Moneyfields in the summer of 2019.
