MARC Diaper has ended the habit of a lifetime – and signed for a new club.

Diaper, son of Sholing boss Dave, spent well over a decade with the Boatmen, culminating in FA Vase glory at Wembley in 2014.

Having been in retirement for the last year, the 36-year-old left-back has now been talked out of it by, of all people, cross-city rivals AFC Totton who will continue in the Southern One South & West this season while Sholing start afresh again in the Sydenhams Wessex League.

Totton boss Steve Hollick explained: “Jamie Cotton, our goalkeeping coach, is friends with Marc.

“I got a call and Marc said he wanted a fresh challenge.

“Apparently he’d played a friendly somewhere and discovered he’d quite like to play football again.

“Marc spoke to his dad and, with the way Sholing are gearing up now with an impetus of fresh players, he decided he would come and play for us and he’s fitted in well.

“The fact we’ve got lads like Mike Gosney, Dave Allen, Nathaniel Sherborne and Neil Williams means we’re not a team full of youngsters any more.”

Another good fit for Hollick’s more mature Totton side is 30-year-old James ‘Monkey’ Roden, who previously played for the Stags during Stuart Ritchie’s reign.

One of several players to have parted company with Folland Sports over the summer, Roden – formerly a no-nonsense midfielder – was outstanding at centre-back against Poole last Thursday night.

“Monkey’s a really good character and he’s loving being back at Totton,” added Hollick. "He takes no prisoners!"

Roden and Diaper were unavailable on Saturday as the Stags overcame Farnborough 3-1 with goals by Craig Feeney, Tony Rolls and substitute Mark Lilley.

Totton, who are trying to agree terms with ex-Winchester City and Alresford Town midfielder Chris Manning, continue their pre-season build-up at Graham Kemp’s Bemerton Heath Harlequins tomorrow night (Tuesday, 7.45pm).