Blackfield & Langley boss Howes moves to AFC Totton
BLACKFIELD & Langley boss Glenn Howes has become the new AFC Totton manager following Louie Langdown’s departure last month.
After two successive promotions in 2017/18 and 2018/19 with the Watersiders, Howes guided Blackfield to 18th in the BetVictor Southern Premier South division before the coronavirus outbreak ended the season. His assistant James Wood and goalkeeper coach Henry Howes will also join Glenn at the Stags.
With new investors at the Snows Stadium, the former Eastleigh, Basingstoke Town, Farnborough and Poole Town midfielder has ambitions to push the Stags to new heights.
AFC Totton were 16th in the BetVictor Southern Divison One South before the season was cut short.
Howes told the Non-League Paper that he was delighted to be going into business with a club with high hopes: “I could see from their vision and objectives over the next two or three years that they were extremely ambitious.
“I remember watching AFC Totton on TV in the FA Cup a few years back, and they are eager to have those sort 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 that we want to get to the National League South, or the Southern Premier. First and foremost, we have to concentrate on step four.”
The 38-year-old, who knocked out AFC Totton in the FA Cup and League Challenge Cup last season with Blackfield, went on to say that he would potentially look to bring in players from his former teams.
Howes said: “It’s quite common in non-league football for managers to sign players who have played under them previously at other clubs, so perhaps that can happen here.
“I have been overwhelmed by the response from the players who have previously played under us. There will have to be negotiations and discussions with those, as there will be with the current Totton players.”
He added: “The facilities and infrastructure is in place and I just feel I can help and assist alongside James and Henry.
“In time, we can build a team that can challenge in the upper echelons, that is the expectations and aspirations of the club.”
Blackfield & Langley were quick to praise Howes and his team for their hard work over his five-year tenure.
The club posted on Twitter: “All at Blackfield & Langley would like to give our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Glenn Howes for all the hard work and effort he has put in over the last five seasons. Glenn will always be a huge part of our club’s history. We wish him and his family all the very best – he will be missed.”
In response, Howes said on Blackfield’s Twitter: “I would like to take a moment to show my adulation to Blackfield & Langley for providing me with an opportunity in football management, we share so many fond moments and memories that will be with us forever.
“I leave with an astronomical amount of gratitude to everybody associated with the club for their support during my tenure; volunteers management team, players, committee and supporters.”
