AFC Totton manager Steve Riley has sent out an SOS – Save Our Stags - after four more players left the crisis club.
Winger Mike Gosney has joined rivals Gosport Borough after nearly a decade with Totton, while Jonathan Davies and Richard Gillespie have followed Jamie Whisken to Poole Town, writes Simon Walter.
Defender Ross Bottomley has moved down the A326 to Sydenhams Wessex Premier champions Blackfield & Langley along with Totton & Eling hot-shot Craig Feeney, who spent the end of last season dual-signed by AFC Totton.
Totton’s players are owed nearly £50,000 in wages and, with the club’s future in jeopardy, Riley does not blame them for moving on.
The Stags have debts of at least £185,000 and confirmation of the Football Association’s ban of Jim Fallon, who had promised to foot the bill, leaves them in dire straits. Riley said: “A lot of people who have been loyal are now moving on and I don’t blame them at all. They’ve won the club a lot of money in prize money and still haven’t been paid. “Pre-season starts in a few weeks but at this stage I certainly can’t plan for next season. I don’t know if we’ll have a club, never mind what league we’ll be in! Unless someone comes in with a lot of money I fear for the club’s future. Time is running out, we’re in the last-chance saloon and need a guardian angel.
“Understandably, they want some stability and I wish them all the best, they’ve been fantastic servants to AFC Totton.
“A lot of us feel badly let down, but I’ve never jumped ship and am not going to start now. I like to think someone will come in at the 11th hour. In the meantime the club’s seeking professional advice as to what to do next.”
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