Steve Riley appointed as AFC Totton manager (From Daily Echo)

Steve Riley appointed as AFC Totton manager

1:27pm Sunday 27th May 2012 in AFC Totton

FORMER Bashley manager Steve Riley has been appointed the new AFC Totton boss.

Just days after calling time on seven fruitful years in charge of the Stags’ Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division rivals, the 46-year-old penned a two-year contract at the Testwood Stadium.

He inherits a Totton side who enjoyed a superb debut season in the Southern League top flight, reaching the play-off final and making club history with their first ever appearance in the FA Cup second round proper.

Riley’s challenge now will be to keep the squad together amid speculation that several players are being linked to other clubs – including former Totton boss Stuart Ritchie’s new charges Havant & Waterlooville.

“Everything’s happened so quickly,” said Riley. “When I left Bashley I didn’t have a job to walk into. I had nothing lined up and for a few days I didn’t have to worry about signing players and organising pre-season.

“But all of a sudden I’m back in the lions’ den and I feel re-energised and ready for a new challenge.”

Full story in Monday’s Daily Echo.