Ritchie to leave AFC Totton next month

12:26am Friday 27th April 2012 in Sport

STUART RITCHIE STUART RITCHIE

AFC Totton have revealed that manager Stuart Ritchie is to leave the club at the end of the season.

Ritchie is expected to take over at Havant & Waterlooville - but could yet end his time at Totton by leading them to a third promotion.

A club statement said: "It is with massive regret that we have to advise that Stuart Ritchie has submitted his notice to leave the club at the end of the current Southern League season.

"After eight years at the helm Stuart feels that the time has come for him to move on and face a new challenge.

"We hope that all supporters of AFC Totton will get behind Stuart and the team on Saturday as they strive to clinch a play-off place for the club followed by promotion to Conference South."

Comments(18)

saint61 says...
5:32am Fri 27 Apr 12

Money drying up? Good times ending?
Wessex league and broke within the next three years?

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Pasty UK says...
7:12am Fri 27 Apr 12

He is not daft. Get out while on top? He should have waited until end of season.They have survived in last four seasons and had suceess thanks to individuals pouring in money and they have all left. The people that run the club are clueless which is a shame for there fans who deserve better. Ritchie knows he will have no money next season so why stay? Havant next for him

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moaning momma says...
7:25am Fri 27 Apr 12

Stu may have resigned but is staying at Totton until the end of the season - he is not leaving with immediate effect. Having spent a considerable amount of time with Stu this season we know that this won't have been an easy decision for him. He has been a fantastic manager and it will be a shame to see him go. Will enjoy having a few snifters with him tomorrow at the end of season party. Good luck Stu from all the Totton Crew and Stewards - will miss the banter in the tunnel and on the coach for away games. Make sure you pop in and see us! xx

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Totton Ric says...
7:45am Fri 27 Apr 12

saint61 wrote:
Money drying up? Good times ending? Wessex league and broke within the next three years?
Hope not with the Wessex & broke but partly right possibly & the rumours what players get for each match at this level! Stu & Sean have done so much & good luck whatever he does. I’ve noticed in just the last season there doesn’t seem to be that old Totton feel to it, I’d be happy with the old feel back, be Mid League & a content Club than try to do to much in a short time & run out of money as I think what the players get may outweigh the income of the Club ! Come On You Stags.

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Pasty UK says...
9:25am Fri 27 Apr 12

Stu Ritchie knows that the money will run out and that the lure of BSB footy and a better wage is something he cannot ignore. Bad time to announce though. Why not wait 2 weeks. Wallace says fair play to Stu. He is naive like the others that run the club. the fans will suffer at the end of the day. Mr Fallon was right about the committee! I hope the players do it for the fans now

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Put u Wright says...
9:30am Fri 27 Apr 12

Pasty UK wrote:
He is not daft. Get out while on top? He should have waited until end of season.They have survived in last four seasons and had suceess thanks to individuals pouring in money and they have all left. The people that run the club are clueless which is a shame for there fans who deserve better. Ritchie knows he will have no money next season so why stay? Havant next for him
You are a clueless twonk!!!
I am not one of the decision makers at the club but i am a passionate Stags follower. I know the people who run our club and they are DECENT HONEST HARDWORKING individuals who give up loads of their free time to help it run. They DO NOT have hidden agendas, unlike some!!! You turn up on a matchday and think you know it all YOU KNOW NOTHING! You should wear a frizzy wig and a big red nose and call yourself Coco. FWIW Stu HAS NOT got any issues with people at the club, he knows that the committee are good people.

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saint61 says...
9:43am Fri 27 Apr 12

Put u Wright wrote:
Pasty UK wrote: He is not daft. Get out while on top? He should have waited until end of season.They have survived in last four seasons and had suceess thanks to individuals pouring in money and they have all left. The people that run the club are clueless which is a shame for there fans who deserve better. Ritchie knows he will have no money next season so why stay? Havant next for him
You are a clueless twonk!!! I am not one of the decision makers at the club but i am a passionate Stags follower. I know the people who run our club and they are DECENT HONEST HARDWORKING individuals who give up loads of their free time to help it run. They DO NOT have hidden agendas, unlike some!!! You turn up on a matchday and think you know it all YOU KNOW NOTHING! You should wear a frizzy wig and a big red nose and call yourself Coco. FWIW Stu HAS NOT got any issues with people at the club, he knows that the committee are good people.
DECENT HONEST HARDWORKING PEOPLE you are exactly right and some have been there for many year’s through thick and thin. These decent hardworking people will always be stag followers and will probably be more in their comfort zone in lower leagues pay less money but keeping their heads above the water, with a club being run by genuine folk who only have AFC Totton at heart. They would not have been comfortable spending money they didn’t have or having one man dictate how the club is operated and leaving at the first opportunity that he could because he didn’t get his way. Totton will decline now for a while but rest assure will become a power house in local football being run on a sound economic base.

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Put u Wright says...
10:09am Fri 27 Apr 12

I don't know the exact economics at the club BUT i do know that EVERY non league club are struggling financially. You will find that the clubs who are successful are usually being bankrolled by an individual or individuals. The problem is that players wages are getting out of hand lower down the pyramid. I am sure Totton will sort out their commercial side and find another good manager. Totton WILL strive to continue the success that Stu & Sean brought us of this you can be sure. Totton has fantastic facilities and a growing fan base DESPITE Saints success (which we are chuffed about btw) all it needs is the local businesses to support it with sponsorship. If the committee are allowed to get on with managing the club rather than having to deal with silly issues then they WILL sort out the commercial side, we are a bloody good club we need to UNITE not have certain individuals sniping.

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Pasty UK says...
10:16am Fri 27 Apr 12

I really hope you folks are right. My concern is as that Fallon left then Sean Wheelen. there is something not right and we fans have had great suceess under Stu Ritchie and it could all go to pot. I know the committee are honest peiople but can they raise enough finance? The first poster is dead right. I will get behind the team but i have concerns about the money side

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Writers Cramp says...
11:24am Fri 27 Apr 12

Personally I think there is need for calm, and no bricks being hurled (metaphorically speaking of course). No one should sling mud at anyone, as Pasty and Put U Wright have said, there are a fantastic group of loyal hardworking people who have been involved for many years and dedicated 1000's of manpower hours freely. However, with growth, change is necessary and perhaps a different structure is required to stabilise and move to the next level. ANY change brings its sting and a little pain, but it is essential. What is also essential is the 'sticking together' mentality. a) Recognise change is needed b) Change together. Those not comfortable with this would have the option to step back.

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peachy1 says...
1:18pm Fri 27 Apr 12

stick together all of you calm down you support Totton correct then rally round get behind the team you will still support them if they are even playing in the commercial houses 4 lol

just stick together all of you it will be fine

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saint61 says...
1:47pm Fri 27 Apr 12

peachy1 wrote:
stick together all of you calm down you support Totton correct then rally round get behind the team you will still support them if they are even playing in the commercial houses 4 lol just stick together all of you it will be fine
Commercial houses 4? or wessex league? at least it wont be as expensive to get in

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Wall_Ace says...
4:21pm Fri 27 Apr 12

Stop talking about people you don't know. The people who run the club are far from clueless and have the club's best interests at heart. The new acting chairman is a Totton fan so is the best possible person to have at the helm, unlike people who appear out of the blue with no connection with or affection for a club. If only everyone knew the truth about Fallon I guarantee views would be VERY VERY different.

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Writers Cramp says...
6:43pm Fri 27 Apr 12

Wall_Ace wrote:
Stop talking about people you don't know. The people who run the club are far from clueless and have the club's best interests at heart. The new acting chairman is a Totton fan so is the best possible person to have at the helm, unlike people who appear out of the blue with no connection with or affection for a club. If only everyone knew the truth about Fallon I guarantee views would be VERY VERY different.
Interesting blog name. Acting Chairman perhaps maybe a relative. Blood thicker than water is fair and admirable, but doesn't answer any questions about AFC Tottons future. Silence in this instance is not golden.

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Wall_Ace says...
7:16pm Fri 27 Apr 12

Writers Cramp wrote:
Wall_Ace wrote:
Stop talking about people you don't know. The people who run the club are far from clueless and have the club's best interests at heart. The new acting chairman is a Totton fan so is the best possible person to have at the helm, unlike people who appear out of the blue with no connection with or affection for a club. If only everyone knew the truth about Fallon I guarantee views would be VERY VERY different.
Interesting blog name. Acting Chairman perhaps maybe a relative. Blood thicker than water is fair and admirable, but doesn't answer any questions about AFC Tottons future. Silence in this instance is not golden.
A supporter. And more "in the know" than anyone on here. Just trust me. Hopefully the truth will come out eventually.

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Pasty UK says...
9:19pm Fri 27 Apr 12

Wall_Ace,
I hope you or they do have everything in hand money wise and that behind the scenes you have a well oiled money making machine.Phew you have put our minds at rest asyou know the truth.
Fans do have worries though pal. 2 Chairmen and the main money man leave in the space of weeks,now Stu. Sounds all under control. Well done the players will be right up for the play offs

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Stagmeister says...
10:56pm Fri 27 Apr 12

I can assure "Writer's Cramp" and "Pasty UK", that whoever the blog name Wall_Ace is, it is not the Acting Chairman of AFC Totton, (because I am) nor are they a member of his family.
Although I do thank him/her for their most favourable support - they obviously know the truth, and are a true supporter of the Club, as are Saint 61, Put u Wright and Moaning Momma.
I do not intend to conduct Club business on this forum, hence why the Club has maintained a dignified silence throughout the past few weeks, and why this is my one and only blog. COYS

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stsaCOYR3 says...
1:22am Sat 28 Apr 12

True & loyal supporters know all the reasons for the departure of Chairman/Sponsor - They are better gone so the club can progress forward. End of one fantastic era, start of a next! All the best to Stu in his future managerial career.

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