July 2022 (Page 5)

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Josh Staunton modelling the 2022-23 kit. Picture courtesy of YTFC.net.

Chris Hargreaves has confirmed that Josh Staunton will be named Captain for the 2022/23 season.

Speaking exclusively to The Gloverscast’s Ian Perkins following the draw with Taunton he said the defender/midfielder (and occasional player-manager) will lead the side this season.

It is likely that new left back Jamie Reckord will don the armband should Staunton ever miss out.

“Josh [Staunton] will be the captain, he’s a leader, a winner and a top character, but since Jamie [Reckord] has been in the building he’s been excellent.

He’s shown why he has played a lot of games, he wants to help younger players and I thought tonight he was resilient.”

“At the moment, we have a young squad, there’s a group of players that I’ve managed to keep hold of (from last season) which was vital but tonight was about minutes, staying clear of injuries and getting out of here and looking to the next game.”

Staunton has led Yeovil out a number of times already calling it an ‘honour’ when called upon last season with Luke Wilkinson and Mark Little missing at various times.

Congratulations to Josh and Jamie on their new roles.

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves is hoping to have more players in before the first home pre-season friendly against Exeter City at the weekend.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw at National League South newcomers Taunton Town on Tuesday night, the boss said he hoped to have “a couple of bodies” in by the time the League One new boys arrive at Huish Park.

Chris Hargreaves talks to the club’s YouTube channel.

He also revealed that some of the trialists who featured in the game in the county town last night could return for that fixture, and that he is looking to get midfielder Lawson D’Ath and forwards Charlie Wakefield and Ollie Hulbert back after they missed the first friendly through injury.

The manager said: “I have so much admiration for the way Exeter do their business, the way they recruit and coached, so it will be another really good test.

“I am hoping to have another couple of bodies in the building before that game and hopefully some injuries back.”

Full-back Chiori Johnson, released by Torquay United at the end of last season, played most of the game at Wordsworth Drive with a midfielder, believed to be former AFC Telford man Dominic McHale, playing the first half before being replaced by Bristol-born striker Scott Wilson, who had a brief spell at Aldershot Town last season.

There were a large number of other trialists who took to the pitch in the second half as Hargreaves rang the changes – but we’re not certain on their identities.

Dominic McHale…..probably. Picture courtesy of Will Jones.

On the trialists, the manager added: “It’s so difficult for these lads, they are giving everything for a short amount of time and we’ve got to make quick decisions.

“I think a couple showed glimpses of what they can do and one or two will be invited back because we have got to build this squad and we need to unearth some gems and this is the way to do it in pre-season.”

Hargreaves described the injuries to D’Ath, Wakefield and Hulbert was “not long-term worries” but said he left them out of the fixture as a precaution.

The game ended goalless with Tom Knowles seeing a second half penalty saved by Taunton keeper Will Buse, who is born and lives in Yeovil.

On the match, the manager said: “It was a good test. They are in the league below us now, they have a lot of ex-pros, a lot of lads released from pro clubs.

“First half I think we probably rushed things and then in the second half we had a lot more chances, especially when they tired.

“We had the penalty, but we’ve also hit the post, the keeper has made a really good save and on another day we might have got a couple of goals. I was just pleased with the resilience and organisation when needed.

“The injuries to Lawson D’Ath, Charlie Wakefield and Ollie Hulbert at the moment, so we had to change things a bit and that meant (new signing striker) Malachi (Linton) was a bit isolated at times.

“But pre-season is the time to try things and see what these boys are good at and what they need help with and I also have to manage minutes.

“I don’t want to kill them early on, so I made a lot of changes in the second half and we had a team of trialists and young players, but they still understand their roles and responsibilities.”

Another new signing, midfielder Sam Perry, was put straight in the side following his arrival on a season-long loan from League Two Walsall on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old played played the first hour on a hot night in Somerset and Hargreaves said he saw enough to make him believe he will be a good addition.

He said: “He’s got the right mentality, he’s played League Two football and has the bit between his teeth.

“We saw glimpses of it, he understands the game and he knows when to play and when to dictate the tempo and when to go a bit longer.

“He’s a young lad with a lot to learn, but he’s a really good character and one the lads I am sure will enjoy being around.”

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Venue: Wordsworth Drive
Tuesday July 12th, 7.45pm kick-off

Conditions: Summer’s evening – sticky, but clear
Pitch: Dry and slope-y (if that is a word)

Attendance: 723

Scorers: None

Referee: Craig Scriven


Yeovil Town : (5-4-1)

Grant Smith (for Max Evans, 82)

Chiori Johnson (Trialist) (for Toby Stephens, 82), Max Hunt (for Trialist 75), Josh Staunton (for Trialist, 59), Morgan Williams (for Haste, 75), Jamie Reckord (for Trialist, 80)

Dominic (Trialist) (for Scott Wilson – Trialist, 47), Sam Perry (for Trialist, 59), Matt Worthington (for Trialist, 59), Tom Knowles (for Trialist, 59)

Malachi Linton (for Trialist, 65)

Substitutes (not used):  Benjani Junior

Taunton Town: Will Buse, Will Tunnicliff, Nick Grimes, Jake Wannell, Dan Ball, Lloyd James, Joe Guest, Zac Smith, Ross Stearn, Dave Sims-Burgess, Nat Jarvis.

Substitutes (not used): Lee Lucas, Ollie Chamberlain, Nick McCootie, Jared Lewington, Ioan Richards, Jay Foulston, Joe Budd, Harry Warwick, Ross Staley, Dylan Morgan, Lloyd Irish

 

Match Report

A saved Tom Knowles penalty was the most dramatic moment of Yeovil Town’s opening pre-season friendly which ended in a goalless draw at Taunton Town on Tuesday night.

The Glovers’ forward won the spot kick on 53 minutes and stepped up to see his effort turned aside by Taunton goalkeeper, Will Buse, who lives a stone’s throw from Huish Park and whose brother, Matt, was among the trialists on the bench for Yeovil.

As is the tradition, there were a host of trialists on show for the visitors with two in the starting line-up with a “a number” of others on the substitutes’ bench – to quote the club’s social media accounts directly.

One starting at right-back identified as Chiori Johnson, released by Torquay United at the end of last season, and the other (we think) Dominic McHale, who was last at National League North, AFC Telford, on the opposite wing to Tom Knowles with new signing Malachi Linton through the middle on his own.

By the end of the match the entire starting XI had been replaced with the only recognisable faces coming off the bench being goalkeeper Max Evans, and midfielders Ollie Haste and Toby Stephens – all the others were trialists.

Former Glovers’ youngster Matt Buse, who ended last season at W*ymouth (someone’s got to do it, Matt!) and formerly turned out for Taunton, was among those on the bench alongside quite a number of others who may very well not be about for the next friendly against Exeter City at Huish Park on Saturday.

Here’s how our very own Ian saw it from his vantage point in the county town…..

 

First half

As both sides tried to gain a foothold in the game neither was particularly able to take control. The Glovers had early half chances through long distance efforts.

Taunton had themselves a half chance 18 minutes in with a headed effort that looped comfortably wide of Grant Smith’s goal.

Dominic McHale…..probably. Picture courtesy of Will Jones.

One of the trialists, Dominic McHale (we’re pretty sure), had a chance to make a good first impression with a free kick in a decent area but his effort was comfortably saved by Will Buse, in the hosts’ goal.

Taunton came close to opening the scoring half an hour in with a low effort that trickled wide of Smith’s post after their striker  got the better of Josh Staunton.

The Peacocks grew into the game as the first half wore on, spending a lot of time on the front foot and putting dangerous crosses into the Yeovil box. The Glovers conceded some needless free kicks, inviting the pressure and a combination of defenders kept another effort out of Smith’s goal.

Max Hunt was denied a 35th minute opener through a fantastic save from Buse in the Taunton goal. Hunt rose highest in the box and his powerful header was low into the ground which was somehow kept out.

Yeovil had a good effort as the first half drew to a close with a trialist Chiori Johnson beat Buse to the ball and put it across the box in front of goal. Taunton dealt with the immediate danger but it fell to Knowles who drove his strike over the bar.

 Half time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

Scott Wilson, a striker who came on at the start of the second half.

Yeovil swapped one trialist, McHale (pretty certain) for another, Scott Wilson, a Bristol-born forward who had a spell at Aldershot Town last season,  at the break, with the replacement partnering Malachi Linton up front.

Both sides returned from the break with intent and Taunton tested Smith early on.

Hunt hit the post in the 53rd minute with another towering header and as Yeovil peppered the Taunton goal in the ensuing goal mouth scramble the ball fell to Knowles who darted into the box and went down under a challenge to win a penalty.

Knowles stepped up to take the resultant spot kick but his shot was saved by Buse who got down low to his right to keep the score level.

On 59 minutes, four trialists replaced Worthington, Staunton, Knowles and Perry.

Taunton came back up the other end and earned a free kick in a dangerous area which flew wide of the goal.

Midway through the second half both sides made the obligatory preseason friendly changes with five, including Matt Buse, joining the action.

The changes took all the momentum from the game as both sides adjusted to their new personnel, with neither particularly finding a rhythm.

Yeovil had a chance to take the lead five minutes from time after Buse threaded a precise ball to a trialist striker, Lloyd Irish in the Taunton goal charged him down and prevented a late opener.

The Glovers continued to press and the play opened up nicely on the edge of the box for Buse whose curled effort took a deflection on its way towards go to out for a corner.

So, in summary, no goals, loads of trialists most of whom probably won’t be here come the next match, and it was bloody hot.

Full time: Taunton Town 0 Yeovil Town 0

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Yeovil Town have announced the signing of Sam Perry from Walsall until the end of the upcoming season.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who came through Aston Villa’s academy, has joined from the League Two side and becomes the first loan signing of the season.

He will go straight in to tonight’s opening pre-season friendly at Taunton Town.

Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves told YTFC.net: “Sam is a determined young player who arrives hungry to succeed at Yeovil Town.

“He made 25 appearances at a League Two club last year and will add to the quality already in the building.”

Walsall manager Michael Flynn name-checked both Hargreaves and his assistant Chris Todd when speaking about the move.

He said: “It is a good move for Sam. It is a chance for him to play regular football and to continue his development at a club where I know it will be done right with the manager and assistant manger at Yeovil and I wish him all the best for the season.”

Both Todd and Flynn played for Newport County, albeit Todd left the South Wales club a couple of months before Flynn arrived, so there’s possible connection there.

The Walsall-born player joined the Villa academy as a youngster before returning to his hometown club in 2019 when Darrell Clarke was in charge, assisted by Marcus Stewart, now Head of Player Development at Huish Park – which is another possible connection.

He made his debut in an EFL Trophy tie in January 2020 before being offered professional terms by the Saddlers at the end of the 2019-20 season.

The following campaign he made 16 appearances in League Two, scoring once in a defeat at Bolton Wanderers, and he followed that up with a further 25 matches in all competitions last season.

He joins striker Malachi Linton and Ollie Hulbert and experienced full-back Jamie Reckord among the new arrivals to the club this summer.

Welcome to Huish Park, Sam!

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An eighth company has been set up by Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall using Huish Park as its registered address.

SP Trading was incorporated on June 24 with the nature of its business listed as “Other sports activities” and showing Priestnall as its only director.

The last known sighting of Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall, at Huish Park on April 23.

It is presumably moving in to the same offices at Huish Park as Max Mae Ltd, a company set up by Priestnall and business acquaintance Ged McCrory in June 2021, which describes its business activities as “Development of building projects“, and Make Projects, set up by Priestnall in December 2021 for the purpose of the “Development of building projects“.

CV Leisure, the company which Priestnall and then-business partner Errol Pope used to takeover the club in 2019, is also registered at Huish Park along with Camden No 9 Ltd, which is described as being in the business of “Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets.”

This collection of Priestnall enterprises are all registered at the club’s address along with Yeovil Football & Athletic Club and Yeovil Town Holdings, two companies involved directly in the running of the club, and Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust Ltd.

When he set up Max Mae last year, the chairman insisted that the registration of the business at Huish Park was not unusual, saying: “All my companies have had addresses changed to Huish Park as a result of closing my London office and manage correspondence in one place.”

The recent sale by Priestnall of Huish Park and surrounding land to South Somerset District Council saw restrictive covenants which had previously been in place on the land removed, potentially opening it up for development.

These developments could all fall under the “Other Sporting Activities” and “Development of building projects” category, one assumes.

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With pre-season training underway and a friendly (albeit behind-closed-doors) underway, the clamour for new signings to Yeovil Town’s squad is in full swing.

Other National League clubs have seen major exoduses and influxes, not least down the road at Torquay United and of course former Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll has been busy at Woking.

Ollie Hulbert ? Pic Courtesy of Sam Collard – YTFC.net

So far the summer transfer action was initially focused on retaining players from last season’s squad before the arrivals of strikers Malachi Linton and Ollie Hulbert and then full-back Jamie Reckord.

On the books at Huish Park for next season are 14 players including the three incomings, namely:

Goalkeepers: Grant Smith, Max Evans.
Defenders: Max Hunt, Morgan Williams, Jamie Reckord.
Midfielders: Josh Staunton, Lawson D’Ath, Matt Worthington, Toby Stephens, Ollie Haste.
Forwards: Malachi Linton, Ollie Hulbert, Tom Knowles, Charlie Wakefield.

This follows the departures at the end of the season of defenders Mark Little, Jordan Barnett and Alex Bradley, midfielder Dale Gorman and strikers Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf. On top of this, loanees Jack Robinson and Josh Neufville returned to their parent clubs, Middlesbrough and Luton Town respectively.

In comparison, on July 9 2021 there were 14 players on the books – albeit one of those was Albi Skendi, AWOL in California until his release was confirmed in March 2022.

The players on the books then were:

Goalkeepers: Grant Smith, Max Evans.
Defenders: Luke Wilkinson, Max Hunt, Alex Bradley, Morgan Williams, Mark Little,
Midfielders: Albi Skendi, Josh Staunton, Toby Stephens.
Forwards: Tom Knowles, Reuben Reid, Joe Quigley, Charlie Wakefield.

Jimmy Smith in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

This followed the departures of defender Carl Dickinson, midfielders Jimmy Snmith, Charlie Lee and Emmanuel Sonupe, strikers Rhys Murphy and Chris Dagnall, and youngsters Gabriel Rogers and Alex John.

We also saw loanees goalkeeper Adam Smith, defenders Michael Kelly and Billy Sass-Davies and Neufville return to their parent clubs after their loans.

Once pre-season friendlies got underway with the first friendly taking place at Stratford Town on July 24, there was the usual influx of trialists.

Who can forget Deshane Dalling, Harlain Mbayo, Richard Afrane-Kesey or Zeli Ismail? What do you mean you’ve forgotten them already?!

One assumes that the presence of ‘A Trialist’ on the score sheet twice in the 4-0 win over Sherborne Town at Alvington on Friday night means the guessing games can start again at next Tuesday’s visit to Taunton Town.

One player who has been spotted at Huish Park (in a full training kit) is former Glovers’ youth team product and Torquay United midfielder Matt Buse, who spent the end of last season on loan at W*ymouth.

Matt Buse, one to keep an eye out for at Taunton.

It is not known whether he is just training to keep fit or whether Hargreaves and his assistant Chris Todd, who presumably know the 24-year-old from their time at Plainmoor, are considering offering him terms.

He played 15 times for Wealdstone, scoring twice, at the start of last season, before moving to our lower division seagull bothering neighbours at the end of March, playing eight times including starting the goalless draw against Yeovil on Easter Monday.

Here’s how the Summer 2021 went:

IN:

14 June: Morgan Williams – joined following release by Coventry City
18 June: Charlie Wakefield – joined following release by Bromley
23 June: Grant Smith – joined following release by Chesterfield
25 June: Mark Little – joined following release by Bristol Rovers
15 July: Lewis Simper – joined on loan from Cambridge City
20 July: Dale Gorman – joined from Glentoran
13 August: Sonny Blu Lo-Everton – joined on loan following a season-long loan from Watford
20 August: Adi Yussuf – joined following release by Blackpool
28 August: Dan Moss – joined on loan from Millwall
28 August: Jack Robinson – joined on loan from Middlesbrough

OUT:

11 June

Rhys Murphy – rejected a new contract and joined Southend United
Jimmy Smith – retired to take up coaching role at Chelsea
Carl Dickinson – retired to take over as manager of Hanley Town
Charlie Lee – departed to join Billericay Town.
Chris Dagnall – out of contract, joined Hanley Town
Emmanuel Sonupe – out of contract, released
Gabriel Rogers – out of contract, released
Alex John – out of contract, released

Adam Smith – returned to Forest Green Rovers after season-long loan
Michael Kelly – returned to Bristol Rovers after loan
Billy Sass-Davies – returned to Crewe Alexandra after loan

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Full-back Jamie Reckord has said he expects to be an experienced voice in the dressing room for Yeovil Town in the coming National League season.

The 30-year-old, who joined last month following his release by Boreham Wood, is the oldest member of the Glovers’ squad following the departure of the likes of Mark Little, Luke Wilkinson, Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf at the end of last season.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, he said he would use the experience of more than 250 professional app

Jamie Reckord speaks to YTFC YouTube.

earances to help the team: “I’m a bit older than some of the other boys here and anyone can ask me any questions, I am always going to help people.

“I am going to be the one who is going to speak up if it needs to be.

“I would tell Yeovil fans, I am always going to give 100%, always going to put my body on the line no matter what, 100% is a given.”

He added that he was looking forward to playing under new manager Chris Hargreaves having had good reviews from former team-mates.

The former Wrexham and Solihull Moors player said: “I knew about him through previous players (I have played with) and they all spoke really highly of him and when I spoke to him on the phone I thought he was really honest.

“I wanted someone who will be honest and straightforward, who believes in me and who I can give my all, that is all you want in a manager.”

Reckord played 45 minutes in a 4-0 behind-closed-doors friendly win over Western League Premier Division side Sherborne Town at the Alvington training ground on a balmy Friday evening.

New signing striker Malachi Linton and youth team product Ollie Haste were on target in the match with unnamed trialists scoring the other goals for the team.

Reckord said: “It was tough, the first 20 minutes was tough but after that you get a second wind and it went well.

“It was nice to get 45 minutes in and after that we did a bit more running, but that is pre-season for you!”

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New Yeovil Town striker Malachi Linton scored his first goal for his new club in a 4-0 win in behind-closed-doors friendly against Sherborne Town at Alvington on Friday.

Malachi Linton chases down Dan Moss whilst playing for King’s Lynn on the opening day of last season at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The frontman, who joined last month following his release by Wycombe Wanderers, was joined on the scoresheet by youngster Ollie Haste and goals from a pair of trialists.

Linton’s goal came from a penalty after winning a spot kick in the first half before one of the unnamed trialists added a second before the break.

Frontman Ollie Hulbert, another recent arrival after his release by Bristol Rovers, had a couple of decent chances in the first half being denied by the Sherborne keeper.

In the second half, another trialist (we assume a different one although the report on the club’s website is not clear) and one from Haste completed the scoring.

Other than midfielder Matt Worthington, who features in a picture on the club website from the match, there are no further details about the team put out by manager Chris Hargreaves.

The match against last season’s Toolstation Western League Division One champions was a warm-up ahead of the Glovers’ first pre-season fixture (in front of fans) at Taunton Town on Tuesday night.

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New Yeovil Town director Stuart Robins has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with people looking to invest in and join the board at the club.

The retired businessman and lifelong fan also confirmed he has made a financial investment in to the club when he took his role at the end of May.

New director Stuart Robins.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Gloverscast, he also confirmed that former Chief Executive Martyn Starnes, who left the club in the summer of 2013, is “helping out” at the club on a voluntary basis.

Of the search for further investors, Stuart said: “We are looking for further investors and there are discussions going on, how long they will take I do not know. I would like to think they will be relatively soon, but who knows.

“My situation was pretty straightforward, I had no other significant business interests outside of having retired and sold my other businesses.

“The money was available, so we got it done but other people might be in different situations. But, I can assure you we are looking for further investors and board members to help build back the club.”

He said that Martyn Starnes was not on the payroll at Huish Park, but said he had been “an incredible help” in supporting the club over recent months.

The director added: “Martyn’s knowledge of the football business (has been a help) because, as I openly admit, I do not understand it at all after five or six weeks – but I am learning fast.

“His knowledge has been fantastic to have. He’s like us, he’s a supporter and he loves it.

“He was at Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle when they were in incredible difficulty, so Martyn has great experience when there are financial challenges around an organisation, particularly a football club.

“So his knowledge and his enthusiasm has been fantastic and already I have learnt a lot from him, because I have had discussions with him and worked with at the club.”

Starnes was Chief Executive for five-and-a-half years up until his departure to join Plymouth Argyle just two months after Yeovil won promotion to the Championship in the summer of 2013.

He spent a further five years in Devon before moving to take the same role at Bristol Rovers in May 2018, which he held until his resignation at the Memorial Ground in November 2021.

You can hear Stuart Robins talk about his ambitions for the club – both on and off the pitch – on the latest edition of the podcast – listen here.

 

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Yeovil Town’s opening game of the 2022/23 season against Scunthorpe United has been selected by BT Sport for TV coverage.

Chris Hargreaves – a BT Sport pundit throughout the last couple of seasons – will lead his Glovers side into a competitive game for the first time on August 6th at Glanford Park.

The game will now kick off at 5:20pm – ticket and travel details will follow accordingly.

Upcoming live BT Sport matches:
Saturday August 6 – Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town (5.20pm)
Saturday August 13 – Oldham Athletic vs Dorking Wanderers (5.20pm)
Wednesday August 17 – Solihull Moors vs York City (7.45pm)
Saturday August 20 – Notts County v Chesterfield (5.20pm)
Saturday August 27 – Woking v Wrexham (5.20pm)
Monday August 29 – Barnet v Eastleigh (5.15pm)