AFC Totton
THE STAGS’ REDEMPTION: A Football Documentary will be available to view on AFC Totton TV - the club's dedicated YouTube Channel - from 9:00am on Friday 04 July 2025.
WINNER OF THE FAREHAM COLLEGE Creative Media Award for BEST NON-FICTION FILM, featuring never before seen footage from behind the scenes of AFC TOTTON’S run-in to the end of their 2024/25 Southern League Premier Division South campaign, Fareham College Creative Media Award-Winner for LEVEL 3 YEAR 2 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT, Writer, Director and Producer LUKE ASHWOOD presents an AFC Totton TV film documenting arguably the most significant achievement in the entire 139-year history of the Southampton-based football club.
Combining footage filmed by himself and his project partner LAUREN WEST with videography, photography and audio produced by their fellow members of the AFC Totton Media team — including Dorset-based filmmakers SideOfTheWorld and students from Southampton Solent University — Luke Ashwood has produced a compelling, emotionally-inspiring film that Stags boss JIMMY BALL described as “excellent”.
Both awards were presented by Lecturer Ingrid Orea at the Fareham College Annual Creative Media Awards ceremony on Tuesday 01 July 2025.
LEFT: Young filmmaker Luke Ashwood interviews Stags boss Jimmy Ball in his office at the Snows Stadium; MIDDLE: The two gongs garnered by the documentary from the Fareham College Creative Media Awards 2025; RIGHT: Luke Ashwood receives the Outstanding Achievement Award from Lecturer Ingrid Orea.
A naturally delighted Luke Ashwood explained:
"Creating the documentary was an ambitious undertaking for a college project but it was a process I genuinely enjoyed, from filming on the sidelines to spending countless hours editing. Having the opportunity to step into the sports media industry at such an early stage in my career was incredibly rewarding, offering me real-world experience that I know will prove invaluable in the future.
"I am especially grateful to Jimmy Ball and the entire team at AFC Totton, who were not only welcoming but also enthusiastic in supporting the project. They gave us incredible access, from allowing us to film training sessions to mounting GoPros in the dugout to capture the raw emotions and reactions from the bench. Their openness played a huge part in bringing the story to life.
"Like any creative project, this one came with its challenges. There were moments of frustration - audio issues, interviews accidentally filmed in slow motion - but those setbacks are part of the learning curve. Each mistake taught us something and prepared us for similar situations in the future.
"Originally, the documentary was envisioned as a full-season chronicle. However, as editing progressed, it became clear that the initial cut would be nearly three hours long. I made the tough decision to refocus the narrative on the final few games of the season. While this meant footage such as interviews with Declan Rose and James Beattie had to be left out, it allowed the final edit to tell a more focused and powerful story."
Luke's project partner Lauren West commented:
"Being part of the project was a great experience. Driving to the Snows Stadium, setting up gear in all kinds of weather, and capturing the atmosphere on and off the pitch made the whole thing feel like we were part of something bigger. It wasn’t always smooth, there were long nights and a few tech headaches, but it was worth it to see how it all came together in the final cut.
"In the end, seeing the finished film on screen and being recognised with two awards was incredibly fulfilling. It made all the hard work, late nights and unexpected hurdles feel more than worth it."
Luke and Lauren will both be joining the AFC Totton Media team for 2025/26, as the club takes its first ever steps in The Enterprise National League South.
Watch THE STAGS' REDEMPTION: A Football Documentary on AFC Totton TV via YouTube. You can also view more of Luke Ashwood's work on his own YouTube Channel.
THE STAGS' REDEMPTION: A Football Documentary
Written, Directed and Produced by
LUKE ASHWOOD
Cinematography by
LUKE ASHWOOD
LAUREN WEST
JON ASHWORTH
ALEXANDER JAMES
Edited by
LUKE ASHWOOD
JON ASHWORTH
Narrated by
LUKE ASHWOOD
StagsRadio Commentary by
BENJAMIN REES
JOSHUA COLE
OLLY HOWARD
PATRICK FITZGERALD
STEVE BROOKWELL
ADAM TOMASSO
Video Courtesies of
SIDE OF THE WORLD
HANWELL TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
TAUNTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
Photo Courtesies of
HARVEY GERRING
BEN SAYERS
Many Thanks to
FAREHAM COLLEGE
LAUREN WEST
JIMMY BALL
BEN ROCHEY-ADAMS
…and everyone else at AFC TOTTON.
By Ben Rochey-Adams
Images provided by Luke Ashwood
