AFC Totton managerial team Glenn Howes and James Wood leave for Dorchester Town

AFC TOTTON’s manager and assistant manager Glenn Howes and James Wood have left the club to join Dorchester Town.

The Stags said the duo had left on Monday with the club sitting atop the Southern League Division One South table with a two-point lead over their closest challengers.

And in a quirk of fate, Howes, a former Dorchester player, and Wood will be reunited with their former players when AFC Totton host the Dorchester Town on Saturday in the FA Trophy Third Round Qualifier.

The Stags announced the move on their website and social media accounts, which came out of the blue following the weekend’s 8-1 hammering of Barnstaple Town.

The club’s statement read: “The AFC Totton chairman and board of directors can confirm that the first team management team of Glenn Howes and James Wood are no longer at the club.

“We would like to thank them for their services.

“Dan Sackman has been appointed as interim first team manager.

“AFC Totton is inviting candidates to apply for the position of first team manager.

“Please send applications with accompanying CV to the club secretary at secretary.afctotton@gmail.com.”

The Magpies are currently 19th and in the relegation zone in the Southern League Premier South, the division above AFC Totton.

Howes and Wood joined the Stags after leading Blackfield & Langley to successive promotions in 2017/18 and 2018/19 while guiding the Watersiders from the Wessex League to the Southern League Premier South.

As well as being a former Dorchester player, Howes also played for Eastleigh, Basingstoke Town, Farnborough and Poole Town.