AFC Totton
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THE STAGS ARE BACK AT HOME in the Southern League Premier Division South on Wednesday evening, against Didcot Town.
Let’s find out about our opponents…
THE BASICS
Didcot Town Football Club are based in Didcot in Oxfordshire. The club is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association. They won the FA Vase in 2005 and were members of Division One Central of the Southern League, having been relegated from the Premier Division in 2010/11. Didcot were promoted last season after beating Ware 1-0 in the Play-Off Final to return to Step 3 for the first time in 12 years.
HAVE THEY GENERALLY BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE LEAGUE?
In 2005/06 Didcot claimed the league title, becoming the first team in Hellenic League history to accrue 100 points in a season on their way to being promoted to the Southern League Division One South & West.
In May 2009, they gained promotion to the Southern Football League Premier Division when they beat AFC Totton 2-1 after extra-time in the Play-Off Final. Didcot reached the Play-Offs after finishing fifth in the league and, in consecutive matches, beating the first (Truro City), second (Windsor & Eton) and third-placed (AFC Totton) teams, all away from home. The 2010/11 season saw long-term manager Stuart Peace leave the club in January, to be replaced by Ady Williams; however, he could not save them from relegation.
The football club gained nationwide attention when it reached the FA Cup First Round proper in 2015/16 and was awarded a home tie with Exeter City, which was shown live on BT Sport. At the end of the 2018/19 season, Didcot appointed Jamie Heapy for his second managerial spell with the club, after Andy Ballard resigned.
HOW DID THEY GET ON LAST SEASON?
Having finished third in the Southern League Central Division One, The Railwaymen were promoted via the Play-Offs. Having beaten Walthamstow 3-1 at home in the Semi-Final, Didcot eventually beat Ware 1-0 to claim promotion to the Southern League Premier Division South.
HOW ARE THEY DOING THIS SEASON?
It took The Railwaymen seven attempts to record their first win of the 2023/24 season, when they beat Winchester City 1-0 at home. But that remains their only victory in the league so far this season, leaving them just one place off the bottom of the table, above Swindon Supermarine. Their worst defeat of the season came on the 12 August when they lost 1-5 at Bracknell Town.
They beat Tadley Calleva by the same scoreline in Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying, before knocking out Bristol Manor Farm with a 2-0 win in the subsequent round. Yeovil Town ended their cup run at Huish Park with a 0-2 defeat. In Third Round Qualifying for the Isuzu FA Trophy, Diddy lost 1-2 at home to Cribbs from the Southern League Division One South.
HAVE AFC TOTTON PLAYED THEM RECENTLY?
Our records show that the sides have met 14 times in the past, with The Stags winning on 8 occasions, while Didcot have 4 victories. The other 2 games resulted in a draw, which is what happened the very last time the clubs met back in 2018 at Loop Meadow where a goalless draw was played out.
Much more of a meaningful occasion came in 2009 where a crowd of over 1,100 saw Didcot beat The Stags at Testwood Park in a Play-Off Final. The Railwaymen needed an extra-time winner, after Lance Williams had cancelled out Justin Bennett’s opening goal for Totton.
Aside from that, perhaps one of the most memorable matches between the sides came in January 2015 where Totton managed to overcome a 3-1 half-time deficit to turn the game on its head and claim maximum points with a 5-3 victory, spearheaded by a magical Mike Gosney on the evening who assisted two goals and had a hand in another. An excerpt from the match report that evening reads:
“Please spare a thought for Didcot right-back Sam Elkins. After the wizardry of Mike Gosney got going in the second half, the Didcot No.2 must have been suffering from vertigo today!” - high praise indeed for The Stags record appearance holder and goalscorer.
DO WE HAVE CURRENT OR FORMER PLAYERS IN COMMON?
None we’re aware of - but if you know of anyone, get in touch!
WHO IS THEIR MANAGER NOW?
Jamie Heapy. After an incredible 853 appearances and an FA Vase win to boot, Heapy took the reins at Didcot in 2019 after a previous spell as joint manager with Ian Colcannon. Known as “Mr. Didcot”, Heapy oversaw The Railwaymen’s promotion to this division last season.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE GAME?
The game will take place at Snows Stadium, Salisbury Road, Totton SO40 2RW on Wednesday 25 October. Kick-off will be at 7:45pm.
CAN I BUY TICKETS?
Tickets will be available at the turnstile on the day. Save money by purchasing your tickets online in advance.
By Adi Rose and Malcolm Tombs (Club Historian)
