June 2021

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Full-back Michael Kelly, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Yeovil Town, has signed for National League rivals, Eastleigh.

The 23-year-old made 21 appearances for Darren Sarll‘s side having joined on loan from Bristol Rovers at the end of January.

He was released from the Memorial Stadium following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season.

There had been a thought that the Scotsman may return to Huish Park, however, the Glovers this week announced the signing of Jordan Barnett, another left back, following his release from Notts County.

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Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell dived to earn a penalty which ended Yeovil Town‘s hopes of an FA Cup shock in 2004, according to former Glovers’ defender Hugo Rodrigues.

In an interview with the Gloverscast broadcast yesterday, the giant defender spoke about the moment in 77th minute of the third round tie when the Australian tumbled in the box.

Hugo told us: “When I came to Yeovil the gaffer (Gary Johnson) said to me ‘if you fall down, you must be dead’.

“If it was an English guy I don’t think he would have done that, it is your culture, you don’t dive.

“Everyone wants to see the English game and the fair way you play is a part of that, you play with loyalty to the fans and respect to the opponent.”

Of the penalty decision, he added: “In that situation, he should have gone to the referee and said it was not a penalty. It is football, it is not basketball where you can’t touch a player.”

In commentary on the televised match, Sir Trevor Brooking said of Kewell’s reaction: “I don’t think there’s a lot of challenge there, he’s thrown himself forward. I don’t like to see that, but it’s a penalty given.”

Following the tie, Kewell denied diving telling the club’s website: “If a defender touches a striker in the box it’s a penalty.”

The Premier League giants were 1-0 ahead through a goal from substitute Emile Heskey at the moment of the incident and went on to win the tie 2-0.

You can draw your own conclusion by watching the incident on Yeovil Town’s YouTube channel, with the incident happening at 75 minutes and 40 seconds.

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A new shirt sponsor for Yeovil Town has been confirmed and will be announced next week, the club’s chairman Scott Priestnall has confirmed.

In a series of posts responding to questions from supporters on his Twitter account, he said the sponsor “will be agreed this week.”

 

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Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall has confirmed he has been “approached by a group to buy the club.”

In a lengthy series of posts on his Twitter account, he also confirmed that he was been speaking with “various people” about investing in the club and land around Huish Park.

The tweets followed questions from supporters about the creation of a new business, Max Mae Limited, at registered at the stadium.

In other tweets, the chairman told supporters the new business was not linked to his plans club the club – see here.

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Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall has insisted a business  specialising in “development of building projects” he has set up at Huish Park has no connection to plans for the club.

In a tweet, the owner insisted Max Mae Limited, which was incorporated on June 28 with a registered address at Huish Park, “has nothing to do with Yeovil” and said he was “in advanced discussions with investment partners.”

In a series of tweets responding to fans’ comments, the chairman insisted “the club is not folding, we’ve come through a very tough period (with) almost no revenue for a year.
He said the decision to close a correspondence address he held in London and register businesses at Huish Park has been done as it was “convenient” and insisted Jed McCrory had no connection with the club.
The chairman added:  “However, there are those that again (wish) to (bring) Jed McCrory into this, not sure what he’s done to deserve this (to be honest).”

In a statement of incorporation published in the filings, it was also statement adding: “On incorporation, there will be someone who will count as a Person with Significant Control (either a registerable person or relevant legal entity (RLE)) in relation to the company.”

Replying to supporters on Twitter, club director Glenn Collis insisted he had the club’s best interests at heart.

In response, the Glovers Trust issued a statement saying: “We acknowledge the recent developments of the creation of a new company at Huish Park by Scott Priestnall and Jed McCrory.
“We urge the owner of the club to provide supporters of Yeovil Town FC with some clarity as to his future plans.”

In his last public statement in February, Priestnall described McCrory as “a friend who has offered to introduce a potential investor”, adding: “I will also confirm, although it has been incorrectly reported that I have been introduced to a potential takeover through Jed McCrory, Jed has introduced a potential investor who is known to some supporters, although I haven’t actually spoken with them yet or received evidence of funds.

“For some reason, there are a few on social media that want to keep dragging Jed into takeover/ownership talks.  Jed is a friend who has offered to introduce a potential investor.”

In May, South Somerset District Council confirmed its offer to purchase Huish Park and surrounding land from the club and lease it back remained on the table.

In a statement, the council said: “The council’s offer remains available if the owners wish to take it up at the end of this period. Ultimately, the final decision and timing sits with the owners, therefore the council cannot provide any more detail at this time.”

So what does this all mean? It would seem that the chairman and Mr McCrory have taken an interest in “the development of building projects” – where exactly the projects they are interested in would be a question for them.

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Jordan Barnett has become the latest defensive addition to Yeovil Town’s squad after the left-back joined on a permanent contract.

The 21-year-old, who scored a sensational goal for Notts County against the Glovers’ back in March, was one of six players released from our National League rivals at the end of last season.

He has also operated further forward and in a central midfield role for Notts County and Oldham Athletic and fills a void left by the departures of Carl Dickinson and Michael Kelly, who both played on the left side of defence last season.

Jordan’s early career saw him flit between professional and non-League having started in the academies at both Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley before he was released at 15.

Jordan Barnett during his time with Oldham Athletic.

He dropped down to Northern Counties East League side Penistone Church where he impressed enough to be picked up by Premier League Burnley and then Barnsley but after two years in the professional game he was back in non-League this time with Pontefract Colleries.

He spent a couple of months there before Oldham Athletic gave him his first taste of League action signing for them in September 2002.

He ended up making 24 appearances in all competitions for the League Two side up until mid-January this year when his contract expired and he was picked up by Notts County to support their promotion push.

Jordan turned out 13 times for Notts including as a substitute in the National League play-off semi-final defeat to Torquay United earlier this month.

Welcome to Huish Park, Jordan!

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Hugo Rodrigues has revealed former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson came to his home in Portugal to try and get him to re-sign.

The giant defender had seen out his contract at the end of the 2003-04 season, the club’s first in the Football League, and returned to his home country.

Johnson met with Rodrigues and his family ahead of going to watch Latvia draw 0-0 with Germany in Porto during Euro 2004.

Speaking to the Gloverscast in an interview which will be broadcast on Monday, he said: “I remember sitting down outside my parents’ place and saying ‘Gaffer, thankyou for everything, but I can’t go back.’

“It is not about money, I just can’t (leave my family), and he said to me ‘I understand, I have seen you and your family and I understand your decision.'”

Hugo, now 41, spent just one season in England playing 34 times for Yeovil before returning to Portugal where he retired from football.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Gloverscast to hear our interview in full with Hugo.

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Darren Sarll has spoken to YTFC.net about the latest Glovers signing, Mark Little, emphasising what a coup Little’s signing is for Yeovil Town.

The Yeovil manager said: “This is brilliant, brilliant signing for us. This is a lad who’s not even played in League Two. This is a League One, Championship fullback. Everyone I’ve spoken to has told me (he’s a) brilliant character, good talker. Were almost trying to reinvent a different style of footballer to Carl Dickinson. That age, that experience, that level that they’ve played at, they have a standard to their work. They understand the things you have to do to in order to get promoted and Mark covers all those boxes.”

The 32-year-old’s signing from Bristol Rovers was announced yesterday, and adds ‘character’ and importantly to the manager, another ‘talker’. Sarll said: “It’s a lot of character that comes in. Same with Grant Smith – brilliant talker. Same with Morgan Williams – brilliant talker. There’s a theme, I know. It’s such an important part and we were very quiet last year because of our age and inexperience. Mark’s a coup for the football club.”

Sarll also explained his shock when Little gave him a call, and had a conversation with former Glover Charlie Lee about his ex-teammate.

“I was shocked when I was phoned. I then when I spoke with Charlie Lee (who was previously a teammate of Little), Charlie was shocked he’d phoned. Mark’s driving it. Mark’s driving the decision. Marks drove the process. (They’re) brilliant people to deal with. I must say, agents get a lot of stick, Mark’s agent was magnificent. Good guy, very sensible, very reasonable,” Sarll said.

Ex-Yeovil fullbacks Luke Ayling and Ryan Dickson also praised the signing on Twitter.

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Yeovil Town have announced that former Bristol Rovers defender Mark Little is the latest signing to join the Glovers this summer.

The experienced campaigner has signed a deal at Huish Park for the upcoming season.

Little, 32 has spent time with both Bristol clubs as well as clocking up well over 100 appearances at Championship level with both Bolton Wanderers and Wolves where he started his career.

Predominantly a right-back, Little has well over 350 career games on his CV and has won the League One Play-Offs with Peterborough as well as being a two-time winner of the Football League Trophy with the Posh and then with Bristol City – in back to back seasons, no less – lifting silverware at Wembley in both 2013 and 2014.

Mark joins a now very competitive defensive line with Morgan Williams joining a back line with Alex Bradley, Max Hunt, Luke Wilkinson already secured, with Grant Smith signed up as the number 1 ‘keeper for the season the squad is starting to take shape.

Speaking to YTFC.net, Little said; “I feel the club is in a bit of a false position.”

Making no secret of his desire to help Yeovil back up the divisions he added: “From playing against the club previously it’s always been in the Championship or League one, to find the club out of the Football League, it’s not right so I’m here to correct that.”

Welcome to Huish Park, Mark.