Southampton legend announced as AFC Totton's new director of football

The 46 year old is an experienced coach at English Football League level, having held roles at more than half a dozen established clubs.

Beattie was manager at Accrington Stanley before assisting bosses at Swansea, Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan.

Totton agonisingly missed out on promotion to National League South after a penalty shootout defeat to Salisbury at Snows Stadium.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Beattie said: “I'm delighted to be here. I think there are some exciting initiatives at the club.

Jimmy Ball and James Beattie pictured at Snows Stadium (Image: Alfie House)

"Ultimately, we want to bring success. That means out there on that green stuff, assisting Jimmy Ball and the coaching staff.

"We want to try and bring players in that are going to try and give us that success," Beattie added.

"I think the off-field stuff that's going on to try and make the club sustainable and create different revenue streams is exciting. 

"I'm here to assist, I'm extremely excited, there are really good people here at the club and I'm here to help." 

Despite vast experience on the grass as a player and coach, Beattie will be stepping into a boardroom role for the first time. 

He explained: "When I retired from playing, I experienced being a manager, working with boards etcetera.

"I've been lucky enough to, throughout my coaching career, be close enough to the managers to experience that as well. 

"Taking into account budgets and experience conversing with CEOs, directors and owners - hopefully, I can bring that experience in." 

Stags manager Jimmy Ball added: “We've been fiercely competitive in everything we've gone into.

"When I first came here, after leaving Stevenage, I spoke to the board and said, 'Let's try to become the most professional non-league club in the country'.

"It's a big statement but I'm not afraid of things like that. we have made strides forward in that way and improvements at the football club,

"We're self-sustaining, we've not got anyone pumping money in or that kind of thing but I have been able to bring staff and players to the club.

"The next really big step is bringing someone like James in with his experience, with his know-how, enthusiasm, professionalism and organisation.

"I can't speak highly enough of him and it's exciting to take another massive step forward as a football club. 

"We're not afraid to say it. We want to climb leagues and we want to be a serious football club in the football pyramid. That's the only aim."