HOWARD Goddard is on course to be named as the new manager of Wessex League outfit AFC Totton tomorrow.

Having seemingly won over chairman John Dawson in an interview last Friday, the former Andover boss has been summoned back to Testwood Park tonight.

Bearing in mind Totton's last two appointments - John Robson and Barry Blankley - have lasted only a matter of months, Dawson wants the approval of the club committee before going ahead this time.

He explained: "I've called an emergency committee meeting tonight so that my colleagues can meet Howard and help me make the decision. I don't want to do it as a one-man band.

"Two managers - or three, including Ian Robinson - have departed of their own volition inside a season-and-a-half and we need some sort of stability at the club."

After being sacked by Andover midway through last season, former Broughton and Whitchurch United manager Goddard commuted from north Hampshire to Newport (Gwent) to run Welsh side Llanwern.

But the travelling got too much for him and, having lost out to Geoff Butler in the race for the manager's job at Bashley, he looks to have got his wish of a job closer to his Andover home.

If the Totton committee give him the nod, Goddard is likely to team up with long-serving Andover player Allan Kennedy, who accompanied him to last Friday's interview.

Kennedy is keen to get into coaching/management after being forced to quit playing when his leg broke in two places at Winchester City last Christmas.

Goddard, 47, had a distinguished professional career as a striker, including two spells with AFC Bournemouth and one playing alongside John Aldridge at Newport County.

Jason Braidwood has stepped up from assistant manager to become first-team boss of Sydenhams Wessex club Thatcham Town.

The 32-year-old replaces Steve Melledew, who is moving upstairs to the new post of chief executive.