United return to Plainmoor tomorrow, as they take on AFC Totton under the lights
After claiming a hard-earned point at Maidstone thanks to Jordan Young’s last-gasp penalty, Paul Wotton’s side will now face another tough task in the shape of league leaders Totton.
Who’s the boss?
Son of the 1966 World Cup-winning midfielder Alan Ball, Jimmy had a limited playing career before moving into coaching, initially with Christchurch and Winchester City. Following spells at Portsmouth and in Ireland with Shelbourne, he coached in the United States for several years, before returning to England to work in the academies of Stoke City and Forest Green Rovers.
A short spell as first team coach at Stevenage preceded his appointment as AFC Totton boss in March 2022. He won his first trophy, the SDFA Southampton Senior Cup, and led The Stags to a league and cup treble in 2022/23.
Ball’s team were then Runners-Up in the Southern League Premier Division South for two consecutive seasons. A Play-Off final penalty shoot-out defeat to Salisbury in May 2024 was consigned to ancient history when Totton overcame Gloucester City at the same stage the following year to win promotion to Step 2 of the English non-league football pyramid for the first time in the club’s entire 139-year history
Player to watch
A returning fans’ favourite, the French striker banged in 30 goals in all competitions for The Stags in 2021/22 to earn himself a move to Farnborough and, just six months later, to League Two Sutton United.
Went back to Farnborough on loan the following season, and then back-and-forth between the Cherrywood Road club and Enfield Town until the end of last season. The 28 year-old re-joined Totton in the summer. He started out with Team Solent in 2017, then signed for Glenn Howes at Blackfield & Langley who brought Hisham to the Snows Stadium in 2020.
How have they been doing?
AFC Totton currently reside top of the National League South tree, with two wins from their opening two games, with Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Tonbridge coming courtesy of a brace from Tony Lee, and another from Kasimu.
Played for both
Although former United midfielder Roddy Collins, now 30, won’t be in the visiting ranks after his summer departure, he certainly played his part in The Stags’ promotion success last term.
The versatile Irishman arrived at Plainmoor in June 2024 with a wealth of experience in both the English and Irish leagues, with Collins having just most helped steer Chesham United to National League South promotion.
After beginning his career in Ireland with Monaghan United, moves to Athlone Town, Derry City, Drogheda and Waterford followed, before Roddy headed over the water for his first taste of English football with Hemel Hempstead Town.
Further stints at Hayes & Yeading and Kings Langley followed, before his all-action displays in the Chesham engine room helped seal Southern League Premier success, and that was a feat he repeated in Hampshire after leaving Plainmoor last October.
Ticketing details for tomorrow’s fixture are available HERE, whilst live commentary of the full match will be available via TUFC Radio HERE.
