STAG LEAP IS PERFECT FOR GLENN
NEW AFC Totton manager Glenn Howes admitted it was the club’s vision and ambition that enticed him to draw the curtain on his hugely successful reign at Blackfield & Langley.
In five years at the helm, Howes led the Watersiders from Step 5 to Step 3 with the help of backto-back promotions in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
They won the Wessex League Premier Division in the first of those two seasons and followed it up by securing the Southern League Division One South title.
This season has been tougher, though. The Hampshire side lay 18th in BetVictor Southern League Premier South when play came to a premature halt last month. Now Howes, who turned 38 yesterday, believes the time is right for the next step in his managerial career, although he is moving one rung back down the ladder by joining the Stags. He is bringing with him assistant James Wood and younger brother and goalkeeping coach Henry Howes.
“I handed in my resignation and had a few discussions with other parties, which is normal at this time of the season,” he told
The NLP.
“I could see from their vision and objectives over the next two or three years that AFC Totton are extremely ambitious. “The facilities and infrastructure is in place and I just feel I can help and assist, alongside James and Henry.”
AFC Totton were a lowly 16th in BetVictor Southern League Division One South when play came to a halt this term, but clearly want to greatly improve on that.
Profile
Howes said: “I remember watching AFC Totton on TV in the FA Cup a few years back and they are eager to have those type of days again.
“It’s certainly on the agenda to raise the profile and hopefully climb the Non-League ladder. However, It’s difficult to say we want to get to Conference South or the Southern Premier – first and foremost, we have to concentrate on Step 4.”
While he looks forward to his next challenge, Howes will always have a special place in his heart for Blackfield & Langley.
“It was an extremely difficult decision to leave,” he said. “It’s a real family club in a terrific location on the cusp of the New Forest run by wonderful people.
“We achieved something special for a club of that stature and it was the environment that was created that was so important.
“I’d built up a great rapport there over the last five years and I have just as many fond memories off the pitch as I do on it.
“However, I think it’s no secret the club are going through a transition period.
“I felt I couldn’t take the club forward any further, I felt it was time (to move on). We leave with our heads held high.”
The former midfielder, who played for the likes of Eastleigh, Basingstoke, Farnborough and Poole before a knee injury curtailed his playing career, admitted he may look to recruit Watersiders players for his new club.
He said: “It’s quite common in Non-League for managers to sign players who have played under them at previous clubs. That can perhaps happen.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response from the players who have previously played under us and there are discussions and negotiations to have as there will be with the current players at Totton.
“In time, we can build a team that can challenge in the upper echelons. That’s the expectation and aspiration of the club.”