Ex-Saints defender out to end Totton's Trophy dream (From Daily Echo)

Ex-Saints defender out to end Totton's Trophy dream

8:47am Friday 23rd November 2012 in Sport By Simon Walter, Senior Sports Reporter

AFC Totton will be up against former Saints defender Aarran Racine when they take on Forest Green Rovers in the FA Trophy tomorrow.

Racine, 21, was released by Saints in the summer and has been a big factor in Forest Green’s rise to the Blue Square Premier’s top three.

Dave Hockaday, who worked with Racine when he was a teenager at the Saints academy, said: “Aarran’s been a breath of fresh air, a super player who’s doing really, really well.

“He’s very strong, he’s got good composure on the ball, he doesn’t make many mistakes and I’m delighted I’ve got him.

“I can see him having a long career in the Football League.

“He was promised a trial at Yeovil after leaving Southampton but that fell through and then he did well for us in a pre-season friendly against Manchester United’s shadow squad.

“We drew 2-2 and Gary Neville, who was there commentating, admitted we were the better team. I think that probably sold it to him.

“The Southampton Academy should take a lot of credit for how he’s turned out and players like Adam Lallana, who’s a super talent, and Morgan Schneiderlin, who had just turned up when I was there."

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