AFC TOTTON are spreading the festive cheer by offering free admission to everyone for Saturday’s Evo-Stik South West showdown with bottom-of-the-table Bishops Cleeve (3pm kick-off, gates open 1pm).

‘The Stags in the Community Christmas Party’ promises fun for all the family with face painting, cage cricket and soccer skills, plus Christmas carols in the bar afterwards sung by the Calmore Junior School choir.

Fans are encouraged to turn up in festive fancy dress, but don’t expect team boss Louis Langdown to be donning a Father Christmas outfit in the dugout!

“After the game I’ll dress as anything you like if we win, but not before,” he laughed.

“Last week we played second-placed Bristol Manor Farm (and won 3-2) and this week we’re playing bottom of the table - it’s one extreme to the other.

“But it’s going to be difficult because we’re fourth and we’re expected to win.

“It doesn’t happen like that in this league. You can’t turn up and just expect to get a result.

“It’s a cliché, but we’ve just got to keep our feet on the floor and take each game as it comes.”

With a bigger-than-normal crowd expected, Totton are hoping to drum up some seasonal sparkle both on and off the pitch.

They would love to entice back some of the fans from the Stags' late noughties heyday when they graced the FA Vase final at Wembley and were champions of the Wessex League and Southern One South & West.

“The more, the merrier,” smiled Langdown. “We’re trying to get people to re-engage with Totton and enjoy the atmosphere we've got here now.

“Last season we went round and engaged as best as we could with the fans, but it was desperate back then.

“Now the club’s got ambition rather than desperation with new sponsors on board, Shawy (Wayne Shaw) around and Wayne Mew, the chairman, working wonders to steer us away from murky waters.

"We're working with a restricted budget and we're sticking to it.

“Wayne’s ideal to work with. He’s not a chairman who's in your face all the time, but he’s always in and around the club because he loves football and wants what’s best for AFC Totton.”

Already boasting the meanest defence in the league, Totton have centre-back Stuart Mott back from army duty for the Christmas period.

Dave Allen will also return to the fold on Saturday after playing for Andover Town last week, but new dad Nathaniel Sherborne is unlikely to feature and Aldershot loanee Jack Barker remains doubtful with a hand injury.

Totton are also running a Christmas Toy Appeal so that no local child has to wake up on December 25 without a present.

Anyone wishing to contribute can take new toys and books along to the stadium or drop them off with club sponsors Hamwic Estate Agents in the town.

*On police advice, the kick-off time for AFC Totton's home game against Salisbury on Boxing Day has been brought forward to 1pm.