Baffins Appoint Stiles And Powell As Joint-Managers

Baffins Milton Rovers Football Club are delighted to confirm the appointment of Pete Stiles and Matt Powell as joint-managers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

With almost 30 years of experience in the local non-league scene, Stiles has been successful both on and off the pitch in various roles, playing a key role in growing the infrastructure and fan bases of both AFC Portchester and Fareham Town. Stiles has previously been nominated in a team of three to receive a group MBE for work in the community.

Stiles stepped down as Fareham Town manager in 2022 and eventually departed Cams Alders permanently after a stint as Vice Chairman in 2023. He oversaw the hike in attendances and set up the under-18s and 23s sides, from which many players progressed to the first team and achieved promotion this term.

The duo depart their respective duties at Wessex Division One side Fleetlands to take up their new roles in PO3. As first-team manager, Powell guided the club to a second successive play-off finish with Stiles operating as Director of Football.

Stiles said: "I am very much looking forward to getting started at Baffins, and it will be nice to join a well-run club with a growing reputation in the area.

'I took up the Director of Football role at Fleetlands last season, but I never really settled at the club. We saw out the season there and reached the play-offs, but were sadly beaten in the semi-final.

'It will be great to focus on football matters at Baffins and try not to fight fires in other areas. I'm also looking forward to representing a club that plays in blue - as a Portsmouth fan, I don't have a great fondness for red!"

Powell said: "I'm delighted to join such an ambitious, well-run club with a strong group of players.

'Having seen the facilities, you get a buzz of excitement just walking around the ground.

Matt Powell

'I think we can achieve real success over the coming years by adding further quality to the squad, creating a smoother pathway for local players and maximising the contacts and links the new management team have.

'I'm excited to continue my partnership with Pete and looking forward to implementing an attractive and attacking style of play, which we believe will help us achieve the club's ambitions and attract new supporters."

Steve Cripps, Baffins Chairman, said: "I wanted to install a more structured approach at the club, which is why we've opted to appoint Pete Stiles as first-team manager, alongside Matt Powell.

'Pete is someone we have followed for years, and he's overseen vast improvements at Portchester, Fareham and more recently Fleetlands alongside Matt. I've spoken to various people about Pete, and they all speak highly of him, including Paul Kelly, chairman at AFC Portchester, who couldn't recommend him enough.

'Simon Woods, Fareham Town manager, stated that the infrastructure of young players that Pete and Matt put in place was key in their promotion this year. I do not doubt their ability to take Baffins on the club's next journey in an attempt to secure step-four football.

'Pete and Matt will now drill down into the additional support they require and can begin to make contact with the players they would like to retain and bring in. This is an area solely for them to work on.

'The pair will also be heavily involved in the youth set up, something I greatly encourage. Great steps have already been made to ensure a more joined-up, one-club approach, and this appointment will cement that relationship."

Former Interim Manager, Matt Jones, has been offered a role within the new management team and the club will announce further information on the new-look coaching team in due course.