AFC Totton boss Stuart Ritchie takes it as a compliment to be linked with the vacant manager's job at Wimborne Town.

The 38-year-old, who has hit the headlines by leading Totton to next month's FA Vase final, is one of three names being strongly tipped to succeed Paul Arnold when he stands down at Cuthbury this summer.

Ex-Saints and Bournemouth midfielder Christer Warren has openly declared his interest in the job and the other main names in the frame are rumoured to be Millbrook-based Ritchie and former Winchester City assistant manager Keith Williams.

Although Ritchie is in his element right now with Totton due to play Truro City at the new Wembley on May 13, the former Aston Villa and Crewe Alexandra midfielder makes no secret of his ambition.

And while his Totton side have had the upper hand on Wimborne this season, sitting second in the Sydenhams Wessex League and having knocked the Magpies out in the Vase quarter-finals, Wimborne have the advantage of being geared up for promotion should they finish high enough next term.

While Ritchie insists he hasn't spoken to anyone at Wimborne, he admitted: "People who have success are in the minds of everyone. The hardest thing is keeping that success going, but we've done that at Totton for two years now.

"The last 18 months or so have been a roller-coaster ride and people are always going to talk about you if you're achieving things. Your name is going to be linked with any job that comes up."

Although Ritchie is not a manager who courts publicity, he admitted: "It's a compliment to be linked with the Wimborne job. They're a big club."

For full story and more non-league see today's Daily Echo.