IN A historic move for AFC Totton, the New Forest-based football club have launched their own women’s team, ready to compete in the upcoming 2022/23 season, reports Ben Rochey-Adams.

Jointly managed by Martin Kerr and Ben Macaulay, the team played last season under the banner of Pace FC and achieved a sixth-place finish in Division Five of the Hampshire County Women’s Football League (HCWFL).

Having agreed to make the switch to the Snows Stadium club, they join a rapidly-expanding set-up at AFC Totton as the Stags seek to strengthen their ties with the local community by providing opportunities for women and girls to get involved and enjoy the beautiful game at grassroots level.

Speaking in front of the Wessex Heartbeat Stand during their first training session on the Snows Stadium pitch, Ben Macaulay, who played for Pace FC and Oakwood, said:

“My partner and my daughter got involved in women’s football, and when the team needed a new manager, I took it on.

“These facilities are fantastic and during our discussions, it became clear that it’s not just all about the AFC Totton first team.

"This is a community club, working hard on several fronts simultaneously to bring people together and make a positive difference.

"It’s a great opportunity for us to bring the team here and enjoy the benefits of that, while also doing our bit to encourage more women and girls to come along and be part of it.”

Martin Kerr, who is a qualified referee, played for the Southampton Schoolboys Select XI in his youth, as well as local side Langley Manor.

“We started well last season but conceded too many goals. We have 15 players already signed for the new season, though, and our aim is to mount a serious challenge for the Division Five title.”

Despite already having a well-stocked rota of players, newcomers are welcome to join in and experience women’s football perhaps for the first time. Dates will soon be announced for trials that will be open to women and girls aged 16 or over.

“We’re not looking to create a reserve team at the moment, but if the interest is there and enough people want to get involved, then that’s something we’ll certainly have to look at and becoming a part of AFC Totton should help,” added Martin.

Although this is the first women’s football team to bear the AFC Totton moniker, the club is nevertheless well-versed in women’s football as a consequence of its partnership with the Saints that sees the Stags’ Snows Stadium pitch play host to Saints Women's home matches.

Marianne Spacey-Cale’s side have just enjoyed a remarkably successful season, culminating in a League and Cup Double and promotion to the FA Women’s Championship courtesy of a play-off victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park in May.

By launching its own women’s team, who will play their home matches on Totton & Eling FC’s Miller Park pitch adjacent to the Snows Stadium complex just off Salisbury Road, the Stags join other local non-league clubs including Eastleigh, Winchester City, Lymington Town and Millbrook in offering women and girls the chance to play regular football.

AFC Totton CEO Steve Brookwell is delighted to welcome the new women’s team onboard:

“This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while. Hosting Southampton FC Women’s home games has really opened the eyes of anyone who might have been sceptical that women’s football is in very good health, with interest and participation increasing rapidly,” he said.

“As a community-based club, we want to play our part by offering the use of the excellent facilities we have here at the Snows Stadium – in addition to the plans we have for future improvements – this is an ideal time to make this important step, and I hope that people throughout the local community will embrace and support what we’re striving to achieve.”