March 2023 (Page 9)

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The arrival of a new physiotherapist at Yeovil Town has freed up winger Will Dawes to join National League South side Oxford City on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old, who signed for a five-figure fee from Stratford Town in September, will join a promotion race with his new loan club sat in third place.

He recently returned from relegation threatened W*ymouth where he failed to make an impact on the starting line-up and had been loaned back to his former club, Stratford, earlier this season.

Speaking to the club’s website, Oxford City manager Ross Jenkins said: “He’s someone we’ve had our eye on for a while. I knew of him at Stratford before he signed for Yeovil, but we’ve kept tabs on him and he has qualities that we can use.

“I think he’ll fit straight into the squad as he’s a good character with great work rate and appetite for success. He’s coming here to help the team achieve something this year. So I’m really pleased to get this over the line.”

Dawes’ last appearance for Yeovil came in the Somerset Men’s Premier Cup defeat at Paulton Rovers on Valentine’s Day where he scored a penalty and ended up spending the closing stages in goal after the dismissal of goalkeeper Will Buse. However, he has only made one National League appearance under Mark Cooper, as a second half substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Woking in November.

A couple of weeks ago Cooper revealed that Dawes had been operating as a stand-in physiotherapist for the club’s first-team, however, with new owners SU Glovers bringing in both a physio and strength and conditioning coach, he appears to be no longer required in that role.

Keep a look out for our regular Loan Watch features to keep a check on all Yeovil’s loan rangers.

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Second-placed Yeovil Town Under-18s make the journey to third in the table Torquay United in the South West Counties League this weekend.

The young Glovers will be looking to put last weekend’s 3-2 home defeat against Mangotsfield United behind them when they take on a Gulls’ side manager by former defender Ryan Dickson at South Devon College Sports Centre on Saturday (11am kick-off).

Their opponents picked up a 7-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Bath City last weekend and sit two points behind them in the table, albeit having played three fewer matches.

The club’s other age group teams are also in action this weekend with the Under-11s and Under-16s both facing their opponents from Mid-Somerset Regional Talent Centre.

The Under-12s take on Torquay United, the Under-13s face South Gloucestershire Regional Talent Centre, the Under-14s play Taunton Town and the Under-15s go up against Gloucester City.

The youth sides from Under-11s through to Under-16s all compete in the Junior Premier League as part of Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust.

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Former Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has said he expects Huish Park to be a “tough opponent” when he returns for the first time in charge of Woking tomorrow.

The ex-Glovers’ boss, who quit for the Surrey side last March, has led his side to third place in the National League and his squad enjoyed week without a midweek fixture this week.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, he said he expects the takeover by SU Glovers to provide “an extra energy” to the crowd tomorrow.

He said: “I have always found Huish Park as an opponent to be a tough place, I’m sure they will be buoyed by the takeover and there will be supporters that come back out that were not supporting. I am sure there will be an extra energy in the ground, that would be natural.

“It’s been a long time for those supporters, I experienced that for 18 months of my three years there, so I am sure there will be more there, but we don’t play against supporters, we play against the team.

“In terms of their roster, they have some really good individuals, some really good men that I respect highly and 11 men v 11 men on any given day is a battle. It will come down to those small moments and we will see which way they go.”

Sarll said his squad is “the worst we have been in terms of availability this season” with a number of players missing, including ex-Yeovil striker Rhys Browne, who is suspended following a red card against Bromley last month.

Last weekend, the Cardinals drew 1-1 at home to Wealdstone and have won just twice in their last eight games – although the won four on the bounce in the run before that.

Sarll is hoping a midweek off will be a boost for his side who saw ex-Glovers’ captain Luke Wilkinson go off at half-time against Wealdstone. The centre half returned from injury last month having been out since the end of February with a calf strain.

The manager said: “We need to use that extra energy and freshness to get a big win, but it will be very tough.

“We are probably the worst we have been in terms of availability this season, I think we may have had a couple of games where I could not fill the bench but probably had less players to select from in terms of the squad.

“But we have never used that as a reason to not win or perform or be at our motivated best, we have used that to galvanise to create a strong bond and we will have to have that really strong bond tomorrow.

“We will have to show better quality than we did last weekend (against Wealdstone).“

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Yeovil Town have confirmed the signing of Jordan Stevens following his release from AFC Barrow earlier today.

The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a contract until 2024 and reunites with Mark Cooper, having played under Cooper at Forest Green Rovers and Barrow.

Speaking to YTFC.net, Stevens said: “I’m delighted to finally get it over the line and get here. I’ve had my first training session with the lads and they seem great, so I can’t wait!”

In the release, the club says Stevens is a midfielder, turned fullback, turned winger under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds.

Stevens joined Barrow in 2021 and has made just four starts in 13 appearances for the League Two club this season.

He becomes the third Jordan in the squad, and the first signing since the takeover by SU Glovers Ltd – welcome to Somerset Jordan!

(Image courtesy of YTFC.net)

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Paul Sackey, the former England rugby union player, has said the new owners of Yeovil Town, SU Glovers, have targeted “people with real experience in football and business” to join the board at Huish Park.

The ex-Harlequins and Wasps player, who was capped 22 times by his country during his sporting career, is part of the group, alongside Matt Uggla, which was announced as having taken on the “stewardship” of the club in midweek.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel alongside Uggla and fellow director Stuart Robins on Thursday, he said: “We have got people in place, once we are announced and hopefully people will be quite happy with this, we have some people with real experience in football and business people.

“We have a good balance which we have already targeted and we’ve had conversations and we are happy that our board members are going to be equally as excited as we are.”

Uggla confirmed that SU Glovers would be made up of three people – presumably including his mother, Julie-Anne, who is a director of the company – along with Robins, who retains his 20% shareholding in the club, and Chief Executive Martyn Starnes.

The group has brought in a physiotherapist, a position the club has been without since the departure of Kai Hepworth at the end of December, and a strength and conditioning coach ahead of the weekend’s National League home match with Woking.

Uggla said: “It has been unfair on the players not to have that support. They have been a bit neglected and Paul has been really great on that side of things, he has a lot of contacts and I think if it wasn’t for having Paul here we probably would not be able to get (those people in).”

Sackey added: “If the players are not looking after themselves or getting the right treatment, how are they going to perform? Those things were vital for us to get in straight away which we have been doing actively.

“It is just about helping the players perform, we do not want to give them any excuses, they just need to go out and play. They don’t need any other noise around them or any distractions so to get those people in and allow (the players) to get on with their job of just playing football (is important).

“I know Mark (Cooper) has done a great job at the moment and we are in a good position because of how Mark has controlled the situation.

“I just feel (getting the right people in) gives the players a little more comfort and for the manager that he’s picked a team that can go out and perform instead of players playing on niggles.”

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Mark Cooper has said he is being supported by SU Glovers as he seeks to recruit new players to help Yeovil Town’s relegation battle at the foot of the National League.

But the manager has reiterated that it is difficult to convince clubs to give him players as the season reaches its ‘business end’ at both ends of the table.

Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s visit by Woking, he said: “(The new owners) are keen, but because of the stage of the season we are at I don’t think they are daft enough to just go and get people for the sake of it and get caught wasting money.

“There still has to be some process behind how we recruit, if that person is not available, we can’t magic them up and at this stage of the season it is very difficult to get good players because nobody wants to let them go.

“I have given them some names and we have tried to move on that, but it is a difficult time to recruit.”

Asked exactly what he needed, he added: “I need somebody who can score us 15 goals before the end of the season, but I am not daft enough to think we are going to get one of those.” Amen to that, Mark!

He admitted the team had felt pressure with an announcement that the group, led by Matt Uggla and former England rugby union player Paul Sackey, coming just an hour before the 1-1 draw with Altrincham at Huish Park on Tuesday night.

Having gone a goal down to a first half header from visiting defender James Jones, the Glovers rallied and earned a valuable point courtesy of a penalty from Jordan Maguire-Drew after the break.

Cooper said: “There was a lot of apprehension among the players and the pressure they feel. Because it is such a young group it is just about reassuring them and making them feel good and I thought second half they were very good.

“It is the same thing when new people come in, you put yourself in the position that you are going to be there and not replaced, it’s football and they know the owners will come in and have ideas, but the only way (to make sure they are involved) is by performing well and getting results.”

The manager rested captain Josh Staunton and midfielder Matt Worthington for that game, but confirmed both will be available for the return of former manager Darren Sarll with his Woking side on Saturday, adding: “There was probably five or six people we needed to rest, but we didn’t have the depth to do that. They will be fine (for Saturday), we had one or two others who might have picked up knocks.”

The manager said that his initial discussions with the new owners had gone well and said he hoped the public statements made by both Uggla and Sackey would encourage supporters who had stayed away from Huish Park under the ownership of Scott Priestnall to return this weekend.

Cooper added: “With the new people being in the same it might give everyone a lift, there might not be as much negativity around the stadium because the players pick up on that. Hopefully there is a feel good factor.

“We sincerely hope we get excellent numbers because that can only help. I understand that fans when they have been beaten down for so long are very sceptical – who it is, what it is and why it is. Hopefully that has been put to rest and they can now fully get behind the club they support.

“If we can get the place bouncing again it can be so powerful and there’s no reason why the last few games we have at home that we can’t have it like that.”

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Well, it’s been an interesting week hasn’t it. We talk Altrincham, the takeover, Woking and take your GCQs.

Thank you for your continued support of the Gloverscast. Remember to add Gloverscast.co.uk to your favourites and check the website daily for the latest news and views from Huish Park.

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If you have an idea for the website, want to contribute or just want to send us a message, feel free to email ian@gloverscast.co.uk.

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Scott Priestnall will not be involved in Yeovil Town once the deal for him to sell the club to SU Glovers is “all wrapped up“, according to new owner Matt Uggla.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins on Thursday, he confirmed that his group, including former England rugby player Paul Sackey, was “in charge and making decisions” following the announcement of the takeover.

He said he hopes manager Mark Cooper will have “a few more players” in the squad for this weekend’s visit by Woking and former manager Darren Sarll to Huish Park.

Talking about his commitment to winning back fans’ trust, he said: “I can say as much as you want, but it is going to be our actions that prove we are the real deal. I do not have the same background as other people who want to come in and do other things.

“We are here because we love football, love sport, we have both done what we wanted to do in other areas of our lives and we are comfortable to follow a passion rather than chasing a cheque.

“If you ask anyone who owns a football club, you are not making any money, it is probably going to be a pit where you are throwing money in to it.

“I hope they can get behind us and give us a chance. I don’t think we are going to let them down, but they will be the judge of that.”

The interview in full:

SR: Can you tell fans more about what ‘stewardship’ means, are you now the owner or is that transaction still to be done?
MU: Stewardship is the right word because I think the fans own the club, they are the ones who keep it alive, it has been here over 100 years and it will be here long after we have gone so I don’t think it is appropriate to call ourselves ‘owners’ – maybe custodians is a better word.

SR: Is there still work to be done on this transaction before you are in charge?
MU: We are in charge, we are in the building and making all the decisions. There is a piece of the deal to be done but we have seen everything we need to see, we are certain it is done. We have moved down to the area, so as far as we are concerned this is our club and we are in charge.

SR: Are the specific roles for the people involved in the deal, such as Paul Sackey?
MU: This is our first week in the door, we have roles outlined but I don’t think we are going to be announcing them just yet because we are still finalising them. But, we have a vision and I think that will become clear in the next couple of weeks.

“We love the stadium, we love the people here”

SR: Why Yeovil Town?
MU: We looked at a couple of other clubs and then we came down here and the first day we got here we got a good feeling. We love the stadium, we love the people here, we loved meeting Martyn (Starnes) and Stuart (Robins) and could not believe how far it had fallen. So we see it as a good opportunity. Some teams in this league – not naming any names – may have reached their ceiling, but the ceiling for Yeovil is much higher than where it is sitting right now, that is proven. My daughter lives not too far away, so it is nice to be able to spend more time with her and live closer to her.

SR: People will know Paul Sackey’s sporting background, but what can you tell us about you?
MU: I started off working in property and built a portfolio out, then I moved in to working with the family on more financial stuff, and then the opportunity came with Yeovil pretty quickly. We had been looking at options and we thought – let’s go for it.

SR: There is an issue with the ownership of the stadium with the local council, what can you tell us about what you will be in charge of and what you will own?
MU: I am not sure I am allowed to comment too much. We have seen everything we need to see, we are confident we are getting what we want and it is the best outcome for the club and the fans. It will be revealed very shortly, I hope.

SR: Is the aim to own the stadium?
MU: Yes, 100%. I think we are very certain that is happening.

SR: Will Scott Priestnall still be involved in the club?
MU: Once everything is wrapped up, no, he will not be involved. I think he is going to resign as Chairman, so he will be gone.

SR: What are your priorities for Yeovil Town going forward?
MU: I think we have to build the club back up, it is bare bones at the moment. The fact it has not got a physio, has not got the right strength and conditioning coaches, the stadium is tired, it needs some work doing to it, we need to add to the playing squad. It is almost going to be patchwork until the end of this year (season) to make sure we stay in the division which I am very confident under Mark (Cooper) we can. You will really start to see big changes once we get past this season and we can really implement everything.

SR: Are you confident Mark Cooper will be able to add to his squad?
MU: I am very confident Mark will add to his squad. Fingers crossed he will have a few more players for Saturday and we can kick on from there.

SR: Would relegation affect anything with regards to your ownership?
MU: No, not at all.

“On the pitch, we have to get back to where this club belongs. That is up for debate amongst fans, I have it in my head where I think it belongs.”

SR: Are you fully behind Mark Cooper?
MU: I am 1,000% behind Mark, we love Mark. We are really lucky to have him, he is very experienced and he has been great throughout this whole process. He has obviously been frustrated with certain things which is understandable, but we are 100% behind Mark. He has already led a team out of this division (at Forest Green Rovers in 200X), so let’s let him do it with us as well.

SR: What are your long-term aims on and off the pitch?
MU: On the pitch, we have to get back to where this club belongs. That is up for debate amongst fans, I have it in my head where I think it belongs. Off the pitch I think we have to do a lot more with the community, not just the things the club does for the community, there has to be a lot more communication, it needs a togetherness. We need to bring in people who want to bring something positive to the side. There are people who are negative and not adding anything to the club and it is not professional. If we want to be a big club, we have to act like a big club and I think we have to have a bit of a clean up on a few things.

SR: How do you aim to regain the fans’ trust?
MU: I can say as much as you want, but it is going to be our actions that prove we are the real deal. I do not have the same background as other people who want to come in and do other things. We are here because we love football, love sport, we have both done what we wanted to do in other areas of our lives and we are comfortable to follow a passion rather than chasing a cheque. If you ask anyone who owns a football club, you are not making any money, it is probably going to be a pit where you are throwing money in to it. I hope they can get behind us and give us a chance. I don’t think we are going to let them down, but they will be the judge of that.

“I think communication is key. I think fans’ forums are key. The hypothetical door is always open, come and have a chat whenever you want.”

SR: You have floated the idea of having a fans’ forum, how are you going to improve communication?
MU: I think communication is key, if someone wants to reach out to me on social media or wants to come to the club and meet with me or Paul I have no problem with that. I think the fans have a right to know lot more than they do. As a football fan myself you always want to know what is going on. I think fans have a big input in helping us guide the club in the right direction. They are the ones who see things that are not working and everyone is an armchair manager, so if they have a suggestion for a player, I am all ears! I think communication is key. I think fans’ forums are key. The hypothetical door is always open, come and have a chat whenever you want.

SR: It is a big game against Woking next week, what do you say to fans who do come every week and those who have not been coming?
MU: I would love to make this place a fortress, a horrible place to come and that will help the performances of the team on the pitch. But there has to be a cohesion between the people inside the club – Martyn, Stuart, Paul, Mark and I – and the people in the stands. We are all after the same thing, there’s nothing hidden going on here. I know there will be people who say there is and that is fine, let them talk. But we have to all move in the same direction, I would love it if everyone got behind us. I am not saying they have to because it’s their choice, but I think we are at the start of an exciting journey and hopefully they will come along for the ride.

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Well, February ended with some big news off the pitch, but winless on it. As always, we want to know how you thought last month went in our usual opinion tracker.

Here’s a reminder of the results.

4th February – Yeovil Town 2 – 2 Maidstone United
18th February – Yeovil Town 1 – 4 Notts County
21st February – Maidenhead United 2 – 0 Yeovil Town
25th February – York City 2 – 1 Yeovil Town
28th February – Yeovil Town 1 – 1 Altrincham

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On the night SU Glovers Ltd announced they’d taken over the ‘stewardship’ of Yeovil Football and Athletic Club Ltd, the Glovers played a game of football. Here are Ian’s Five Conclusions on the 1-1 draw with Altrincham.

I think this was a good point. I’d have snapped your hand off for a point going into the game given our form and Altrincham’s. With 11 goals in three matches prior to the visit to Huish Park and our run of five without a win, the mood was not hopeful. Altrincham worked hard in the opening spells of the game and Tyrese Sinclair was their out ball every time. Yeovil were evidently low on confidence and it wasn’t until the second half that Mark Cooper’s team started to take the game to Alty. We had decent control of possession, looked mostly comfortable and deserved an equaliser. It’s fair to argue that with 10 men we should have gone on to win the game, but a good point gives us something to build on.

Jordan Maguire-Drew converts his penalty. Image courtesy of Mike Kunz

We didn’t fall apart without Josh Staunton and Matt Worthington. Aside from Grant Smith, Staunton and Worthington have been absolutely pivotal this season, but with a pile up of fixtures, there was always going to be a point where they needed a rest. Josh Staunton has played every minute of every League game up until Tuesday and has been sporting the black knee tape in recent fixtures. I can’t be the only one wincing every time he goes to ground to make a tackle. Matt Worthington has been the engine room all season and has somehow upped it since Mark Cooper’s arrival. They were surprise exclusions and we successfully navigated a tricky fixture without them, maybe we do have a bit of depth?

A game of two D’Aths. In the first half the way Altrincham harassed Lawson D’Ath when he was on the ball and managed to dispossess him had me worried. On more than one occasion he got caught with the ball and allowed Altrincham to break. In the second half he, like others, really stepped up. Carrying the ball and driving forward with a real purpose. We’re managing his minutes, and whisper it, he’s keeping injury free…(apologies in advance.)

Alex Fisher – Image courtesy of Mike Kunz

I’d love another striker. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would. Alex Fisher’s early effort was a huge chance to put Yeovil ahead and he had a couple of chances in the second half, his unorthodox header brought a good save from Byrne in the Altrincham goal. Seb Palmer-Houlden looks to have something about him and has a good physicality but we just don’t have time to wait for things to click. Jordan Young looked bright when he came on, but we’re still missing something. Malachi Linton (hopefully inconvenienced enough to be fired up for the weekend) didn’t make it off the bench and struggled to make an impact against Notts County. Afterwards Mark Cooper said: “At this stage of the season it is difficult for people to let you have really good players, because they would not be coming here at this stage of the season. If we are going to do that we have to be really picky or it is going to cost an awful lot of money.”

We’ve entered into a new era. The announcement prior to kick off was met with a muted reaction. Obviously we’re still awaiting plenty of detail but we’ve seen snippets from Matt Uggla on social media today and he won’t need anyone else to tell him what needs doing at Huish Park. With media activity on the cards tomorrow, hopefully some further detail, a 40 goal a season striker, we could actually make a bit of day of it on Saturday and spoil Darren Sarll’s return.