WAYNE Mew’s main incentive for taking on the chairman's job at AFC Totton was to ensure the club fulfils its obligations to the footballing powers that be.

Following the twin resignations of chairman Andy Straker, due to ill health, and vice-chairman Roy Edwards, Mew did not want the Stags drifting into Christmas with no one officially at the helm.

There wasn’t exactly a stampede of people rushing to fill the vacancies, so he and club sports therapist Dave Penny, Totton’s new vice-chairman, stepped up to the plate and were voted in by members at last night's special general meeting.

“We’re a football club and the most important thing is we need to fulfil our obligations to the FA and the Southern League,” said Mew.

“We couldn’t proceed without a chairman and vice-chairman, so Dave and I have done it for that reason.

“We’ll suck it and see over the Christmas period and see how it goes.

“I’d love to do the job if I can continue to move the club forward as Andy Straker did.

“We’re not the richest club in Hampshire, but we get by. The previous regime did a great job.”

Totton do, however, have hefty overheads at the Testwood Stadium and Mew acknowledged: “We need to work harder to make the facilities work for us.”

Mew and Penny are a tried and trusted partnership having worked together for nearly 20 years at Bashley, Winchester City, Eastleigh, Hampshire FA, Romsey Town and now Totton.

Mew, who has managed extensively at youth, reserve and first-team level, has thus far been “a jack of all trades” with the Stags, juggling a bit of scouting with the roles of youth secretary and child welfare officer.

He even filled in as ‘caretaker caretaker’ boss earlier this season while Andy Darnton, the man then in temporary charge of the team, was away on holiday.

Outside of football Mew, who turns 60 next year, is a project manager in the construction industry in London. Penny is a practising physiotherapist.

“Dave still lives and works in Totton and has lots of contacts in the area,” said Mew. “We need to expand the support base and get people in to help run the club and share the workload.

“I just want to keep it going over there. We need to be upbeat.”

Totton are still third-to-bottom of the Southern One South & West but, under new team boss Louis Langdown, the tide is turning.

They have lost just one of their last five league and cup games and spirits were lifted by a 1-0 win over Paulton Rovers last weekend.

“Results have started to pick up and if we can maintain our league status that’s a good base to push on from next year,” said Mew.

“The Paulton win boosted everyone. Now we’ve got two difficult games against Salisbury (away, December 26, 2pm) and Winchester City (home, January 2, 3pm).

“There’s an affinity there for me at Totton and there are some good people at the club.

“I love football and, as long as I’m involved, I’m happy.”