Most Southampton fans will remember Charlie Austin and although he would not be described as a club legend, he still scored some significant goals before he left in August 2019. No he is set to make his debut for AFC Totton.

The signing of Charlie Austin for AFC Totton has caused a lot of ripples in the footballing world and it made headlines in the national press as well as the local Southampton media.

He is perhaps the highest profile signing that the club has made since 1985 when Saints FA Cup winning goalkeeper Ian Turner played for the club, also managing it later in his career.

Interest is high for the pre season friendly with former league club Forest Green Rovers and a big crowd is expected at the Snows Stadium, including plenty of Saints supporters interested to see how Charlie is now.

Forest Green Rovers were in the football league last season and as recently as 21/22 season they won promotion to League One, however they then suffered two successive relegations that have seen them drop back into the National League.

Forest Green Rovers are famous for being the world’s first vegan football club. Chairman Dale Vince, the owner of renewable energy company Ecotricity, banned meat and dairy products from the New Lawn’s canteens and food kiosks in 2015. Three years later, Rovers became the first football club in the world to be certified carbon neutral under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) initiative Climate Neutral Now.

But the main attraction of the day for Southampton fans will be the chance to see Charlie Austin in action, last season he plied his trade with Swindon Town in League Two and in 35 starts plus 11 as sub he played in all 46 League games for the Robins, dispelling his reputation as being injury prone, he also scored 12 goals in the process.

This is a statement of intent for AFC Totton, they are hoping to bounce back after the disappointment of the play off defeat to Salisbury which meant they missed out on promotion to the National League South, hopefully Charlie Austin will be the icing on the cake for them this coming season and they achieve this goal.

AFC Totton vs Forest Green Rovers takes place at the Snows Stadium, Salisbury Road, Totton SO40 2RW on Saturday 03 August 2024. Kick-off at 3:00pm. Tickets: £10 Adults; £5 Concessions - Buy online in advance.

More information can be found at afctotton.com

Photo: Action Images

Colburn added 08:27 - Aug 2 Why would any Saints fans go to watch him play? He has finally found his level at least, certainly for mobility and fitness. Don’t know why you’re running a second piece in a week on a player who hasn’t worn our shirt for a good couple of years? Oh yes, I remember now, hahaha. This is not Saints news, pointless article, no saints fans are going to watch him aside from you, unless they live in walking distance from the ground and there’s nothing on the tele..

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SaintNick added 09:04 - Aug 2 I am not sure why some Saints supporters feel it necessary to slag off certain players when they have left, Charlie Austin hasnt played for us for 5 years to be more exact, but he played a part in our history, albeit not one as big as others, comparisons can be drawn with Ross Stewart here in terms of signing a player with injury issues, but he scores some vital goals He played League 2 last season comfortably, so he playing well below his level. Im not sure what you remember now . but this is simply a story that is of interest to some Saints fans and has been in the national news, I'm simply happy to give a local club a bit of publicity and help get a few through the gate and money into our non league clubs, what is wrong with that. If only 10 Saints supporters see this article and decide to go, then what is the problem, everyone is happy bar you for some reason, but what does it matter to you anyway ?

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Boris1977 added 11:53 - Aug 2 It's certainly a worthwhile story to cover on an unofficial club website and plenty of saints fans will be interested in this very surprising transfer. I'd expect plenty of saints fans to go along because Austen is playing which means a nice pay day for the club. I know he had mouthed the club but he scored some very important goals for us and his post match rant v Watford provided entertainment too. Keep up the good work Nick

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schatfield added 12:52 - Aug 2 always liked Charlie, who weighed in with some goals at key times. Mouthed off when he left Saints, but who cares, we all do. Good luck at Totton.
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InTimeAddedOn added 19:25 - Aug 2 https://youtube.com/watch?v=AdxZjRHq2SM 😀
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