Darnton in charge after Hollick's exit

Darnton, pictured below, will be at helm on Saturday when the Stags host Yate Town after the club parted company with Hollick by mutual consent after their 6-1 defeat at the hands of Wimborne Town at the Testwood Stadium.

Hollick stepped aside after meeting with club officials following Tuesday’s reversal which left the EVO-STIK League Southern Division One South & West's Stags second from bottom with just four points from a possible 27.

As he started the hunt to find his successor, AFC Totton chairman Andy Straker paid tribute to their former goalkeeping coach who had been in charge since April after initially stepping up on a temporary basis following the departure of former manager Steve Riley.

In a statement on the club’s website, Straker said: “Recent form has been poor which has continued on from last season. Talking to Steve, we came to the agreement that for the club to go forward it would be best if we went our separate ways.

“Steve said he wanted to do the right thing for the club and he should be applauded for that. Steve loves this club and only wants what is best for it. I would like to thank Steve for all the hard work he has put in over the years, not just as manager but also as goalkeeping coach before that.

"I think of Steve as a friend and the last few days have not been easy but AFC Totton is a club that should be pushing for promotion, not languishing at the bottom of the league so we had to make big decisions to take the club forward."

He added: "I wish Steve all the best with what he does next. I know he will be a good manager of a football club if he decides to continue in that role at another club.”

In a message to fans on Twitter, Hollick said: "I would just like to thank all the fans, players & staff at @AFCTotton for your support over the last few years, you have been amazing!"

Darnton arrived as Hollick's new right-hand man in June as the successor to departed head coach Lee Burch. With over 700 games at EVO-STIK League Southern and Ryman League level under his belt as a player and another decade in management and coaching, he is not short of experience.

A former defender, Darnton played for Gosport, Worthing, Fleet, Bashley, Waterlooville and Newport IoW. Since hanging up his playing boots, he's worked at Winchester City, Bashley and Andover and coached Sydenhams Wessex outfits Romsey, Verwood and Christchurch.

Stags officials say potential candidates for the post should contact Andy Straker at: chairman@afctotton.com.

Images courtesy of afctotton.com & dailyecho.co.uk

Follow the EVO-STIK League Southern on Twitter at @SouthernLeague1