CARETAKER boss Steve Hollick admits it will be a strange feeling taking his first game in charge of AFC Totton at Yate Town tomorrow.

Not only will he miss departed manager Steve Riley and assistant Chris Ferrett, having worked with them for years, but it will be odd for the club’s goalkeeping coach to be dishing out the team orders in the dressing room rather than listening to them.

“It’s all new for me,” said Hollick.

“Until now I’ve just had to look after one or two ’keepers, whereas now I’ve got to look after a minimum of 16 players plus other squad members.

“It’s going to be a bit weird standing in front of the players rather than at the side listening to Steve and Chris.

“The players are also my friends, but hopefully they’ll understand the position the club’s bestowed on me for a while and one or two of the senior lads will help.”

Hollick, a structural draughtsman who lives near Salisbury, started playing local football before teaming up with Riley at Bashley where he coached and provided back-up for Bash No1 David Elm.

He spent a couple of years at Totton & Eling during Kev Dawtry’s time in charge and then linked back up with Riley at AFC Totton.

Like most people, Hollick had no idea Riley would be leaving by mutual consent until he turned up for the Mangotsfield game last Saturday.

“I didn’t see anything coming, but obviously there was a master plan and Steve and Andy (Straker, chairman) had been talking,” he said.

“I had a quick chat with Steve and he said it would be good if I could stay on and add a bit of continuity.

“I’ve been with Steve a long time which made the decision to stay harder, but Totton’s a good place to play football and this is quite a good way of doing things, just seeing out the last six games.

“I’m sure there will be no shortage of people applying for the manager’s job with the league the club’s in and its facilities.

“I think there could be quite a few high-profile names applying.

“During our time here we’ve worked under tight conditions, but Steve’s done a remarkable job rebuilding the side. It’s been really tough for him.”

Hollick has a full squad at his disposal tomorrow as 15th-placed Totton bid for their first win in ten Southern One South & West games.

With keeper Steve Mowthorpe fit again, young AFC Bournemouth loanee Pat O’Flaherty has returned to his parent club.

“He’s signed for another year with Bournemouth which is excellent news,” said Hollick.