New boss to be named within days

Stags vice-chairman Roy Edwards confirmed on Wednesday that a successor to Steve Hollick, pictured, should be unveiled by the weekend after the EVO-STIK League Southern One South & West club's officials conducted three interviews for the vacant post at the Testwood Stadium in the last week.

Edwards told the Southern Daily Echo: “At this stage I don’t want to say anything because it would be unfair on the people I’ve seen. As long as myself and Andy (Straker, chairman) agree on everything that's been put to us, we’re looking at the end of the week at the latest.

“We’ve got no game until November 5 (Bridgwater at home) and, in an ideal world, we’ll tie things up so that the new manager is here for Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday training.”

Hailing Wayne Mew for holding the fort at the weekend and again on Tuesday night in the absence of caretaker manager Andy Darnton, Edwards added: “Wayne’s doing an absolutely cracking job, right through from the youth bits to being in charge of the first team. He’s a fantastic guy. Without Wayne and others like him behind the scenes, my job and Andy’s would be a lot harder.”

*AFC Totton are staging their annual Firework Night Spectacular next Friday (November 4). Sponsored by Totton College, the event kicks off at the ground from 6pm with the first fireworks from 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £5 adults, £3 for U16s or £14 per family, two adults and two children.

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