Ben Barrett (Page 136)

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Former Yeovil Town forward and long time friend of Lee Collins, Marc Richards, has spoken to BBC Northampton about his friendship with Lee and his disbelief at receiving the news of Lee’s passing.

Speaking To Annabel Amos, Richards said; “I got a phone call from the Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll, it’s a little bit of a haze, I can’t remember what he said, but I certainly remember how I felt. I was taken back, I didn’t want to believe it, it was really tough, it felt like I was in a bit of a daydream.”

Richards, and Collins played together at Huish Park during the 2019/20 season, but their relationship goes back further, something which Richards said makes the situation harder to come to terms with.

“I knew he had been struggling on and off. I know quite a lot of his history, I know what he’s been through, he’d been in positions before where, not so much that he was close to doing that sort of thing, but he had spoken to me about it previously. I was gutted he hadn’t reached out and felt like he could speak to me about what was going through his mind at the time.”

The Northampton Town coach spoke of how’d he’d been in contact with Lee just a few days before his tragic passing.

“I only spoke to him on the Saturday prior, everything seemed OK, I just wish I had probed more, because in that moment, you don’t because it seems fine.”

Collins passed away on 31 March and Richards admitted that he’s still coming to terms with the news.

“It really took me back, I don’t think I’ve really had time to process it to be honest. I’ve certainly not done the grieving I need to do. I know the lives that Lee touched throughout his career and throughout his life. Everyone that has ever met Lee, come across Lee as a player, as a person can say the same thing about him. No matter what football club he played for, he touched so many people’s hearts as well.”

Yeovil Town are leading the way with a Crowdfunder to support Lee’s family and the mental health charity Young Minds.

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National League side Dover Atheltic will start the 2021/22 season bottom of the table on -12 points, it has been confirmed by the FA.

Non-League journalist Ollie Bayliss tweeted confirmation, that nearly a dozen sides had lost appeals following charges of failing to fulfill fixtures during the season that has just come to a conclusion.

Ten of those sides originated from the National League North and South and have been handed fines and suspended points deductions, meanwhile Dover’s orginial punishment of 12 points and £40,000 fine has been solidified.

Dover haven’t kicked a ball in anger since losing 3-1 to Yeovil Town in January.

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Yeovil Town midfielder Lawson D’ath has confirmed he is set for surgery on a knee injury sustained in the final game of the 2020/21 season.

Speaking to supporters on twitter, the former Reading play maker confirmed he was to go under the knife “next Thursday” (17th of June)

Despite being out of contract at the end of this season, it was noted in the recent player update that D’ath was going to be offered the chance to do his rehab with the team at Huish Park with hope that a contract can be offered once he’s back to full fitness.

D’ath has spent two spells with the Glovers during his career, an initial loan spell in 2012 before returning on a permanent basis in 2019.

It has been a frustrating couple seasons in the green and white for D’ath who only made his comeback from a long term injury in the final games of the season – something which Manager Darren Sarll noted was indicative of the midfielder’s character.

It goes without saying, but everyone at the Gloverscast wishes Lawson well, on his day, a fit and firing D’ath is as good as anyone at this level.

 

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Former Yeovil Town striker Rhys Murphy has taken time to post a few words of thanks following his departure from Huish Park.
Murphy joined Southend United following a few weeks of rumours surrounding his future, his final appearance was a four-minute cameo in the

win over Solihull in April.

Posting on his Instagram account, the front man said;

 

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to absolutely everybody at Yeovil Town Football Club @ytfcofficial

I’m sorry I was not present on the final day of the season to say goodbye to you all due to some personal issues.

I’ve come to love this special club during my time here. It’s been a privilege to be a part of such an amazing group of people working throughout the entire club that helped me enjoy my time so much.

I’d also like to place a special thank you to the Gaffer and Terry along with all of my team mates during my two years and of course the amazing fans who I’ve absolutely loved playing in front of.

I only wish we could of shared more moments together had it not been for covid 19 preventing us. Your constant support from the moment I signed to the messages I’ve received wishing me well moving forward have been deeply appreciated.

I’m gutted we haven’t achieved our goal of promotion during my time here but I hope that success isn’t far away again for the club.

I will always have special memories and a fondness of my time here.

Thank you for having me at your very special club.

Rhys Murphy”

The former Arsenal and Chelmsford man played 64 times scoring 33 times for the Glovers, everyone at the Gloverscast wishes him well for next season with Southend… apart from two games obviously.

 

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Picture courtesy of Andy Cleave

Last month, we brought you news on Yeovil fan, Kieran Conway who was planning to run from Taunton to Yeovil to raise money for a trio of good causes including the Adam Stansfield Foundation and the Yeovil Hospital Charity.

In total nearly £1500 was raised, by Keiran who ran to the home game against Maidenhead (all that way for a 0-0 draw!).

Today (Wednesday, June 9) Kieran posed outside of Yeovil Hospital to hand over a cheque worth £500, their portion of the donations.

The charity thanked Kieran via their social media and we at the Gloverscast extend those well wishes – an excellent effort.

The Crowdfunder has now closed for Kieran’s efforts, but anyone wishing to continue to donate or make a direct contribution can do so via the links below – including the link to the recent fundraising efforts set up by the club to remember our late captain, Lee Collins.

Yeovil Hospital Charity Donation Page – https://www.justgiving.com/yeovilhospital
Adam Stansfield Foundation – https://www.adamstansfieldfoundation.com/
In memory of Lee Collins – https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/in-memory-of-lee-collins

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Wolves have named their released and retained list after the upcoming season and on it is the name of a fomer Yeovil player who was tipped for a bright future.

Hong Wan, a former Captain of the Glovers Under 18s signed for Wolves in the summer of 2019 whilst the club were in something of a limbo inbetween managers and owners.

the 20-year-old has agreen to sign for Johor Southern Tigers of the Malaysian Super League, he never made a competitive first team appearance for either Wolves or Yeovil, but did represent both in friendlies, and in the case of Wolves in the EFL Trophy as part of the Under 23 set up.

 

 

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The Premier League have released their most recent up to date list of players who are scheduled to be released from their contract and there are three ex-YTFC players listed as being available, for free after their time at Crystal Palace has come to an end.

Winger Andros Townsend has revealed he is considering a number of options both in the Premier League and abroad with clubs offering him European football next season available to the former loanee.

Whilst a duo of Goalkeepers, Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Henderson are both also likely to call time on their stint at Selhurst Park.

All three have been under the watchful eye of another former Glover, Scott Guyett who is the Head of Sports Science at Palace and was this week announced as the recipient of the Chairman’s Award following a decade of service to the London club.

Congratulations Scott and the best of luck to three talented footballers on their next adventure.

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The topic of the 2013 Yeovil Town League One Play-Off team is one that often crops up around these parts, we can all recall Paddy Madden popping one in the top corner, we all know James Hayter never did get a touch on Dan Burn’s header, we all bit our fingernails to the bone and sighed in relief at everyone of Marek Stech’s wonderful saves, but this was more than just a team game – we needed a whol squad.

Maksimenko with James Healey, Paddy Madden and Kevin Dawson
(Pic thanks to Jimmer)

The image of Jamie McAllister lifting the tropy aloft will live long in the memory – but let’s not forget, he didn’t actually complete the game.

With 77 minutes on the clock, his reoccuring groin problem flared up, his broken nose had become swollen and bruised, he had to be replaced.

Defensive options on the bench that day were Richard Hinds, a wonderful central defender, but not naturally a full back and so the call went to young Latvian full back, Vitalijs Maksimenko.

We pondered on a recent episode of the Gloverscast podcast with Media Officer James Healey, what had happened the the man signed on loan from Brighton, well, I found him, dusted off some Google translate and set to work trying to get him to answer our questions… and he DID!

Vitalijs now plays in Slovenia, with NK Olimpija from the city of Ljubljana, he was part of the team that lifted the Slovenian Cup this season, he played 89 minutes in the final, a 2-1 win over FC Cejle.

 

We fired over some questions about his short spell at Huish Park, which saw him make just four appearances, one of which came at the home of football.

Vitalijs said; “That was a good time. I spent there three months on loan from Brighton. It was a good team, a good squad. I remember all the guys so yes, I really enjoyed the time there.”

Of course the deal was brokered by Gary Johnson, who is still so fondly remembered in Maksimenko’s home country, Latvia something which the full back said only made the experience better.

“He (Johnson) is a legend in Latvia, yes. Everybody still remembers him because he did a good job with national team. I thank him a lot and I really appreciate that he took me to Yeovil on loan because this was my first experience in England. He is a really good coach. He motivates and trusts his players. I have only positive words for him.”

Vitalijs made his debut against Oldham in April 2013, and would start two other league games vs Crewe and Bury as McAllister continued to recover from his injury.

But of course, his main memory comes from the showpiece final at Wembley. He was on the bench for both semi-finals, but never came on, those 25 minutes at Wembley were his time to shine

“I think that this was on of the best times in my career. Everyone dreams about playing in Wembley, especially to [be] promoted to the Championship. I started the game on the bench and in the last twenty minutes our captain McAllister was injured so I didn’t even have the time to be nervous. Everything happened quickly. I came in and we had to hold the result. We succeeded.”

“It is an honor for me to have a medal from England, from Wembley Stadium. This medal is in my home in Latvia. I am really proud to have it.”

Famously, as pointed out by James Healey on the podcast, Maksimenko couldn’t stay to enjoy the celebrations, he was called up for international duty and would play for his country against Qatar just 72 hours after the play-off final, but despite the quick exit, he said that through the power of social media, he keeps in touch with his former Glovers’ team mates.

“We are following each other on social media, Jamie McAllister, Byron Webster, Paddy Madden … Sometimes I text the guys just happy birthday or when something happens. When Jamie McAllister retired he became a coach and I texted him immediately to congratulate him and wish him all the best in his new career.”

Vitalijs Maksimenko might not be the first name that pops into your mind when you think of that side, but it probably shouldn’t be the last either, four appearances and 25 all important minutes in the final put him in the ‘Cult Hero’ category at Huish Park, he was simply happy that we had remembered him and made contact to see how he was getting on, I asked him if he has any words for the Glovers fans, and to be honest – they’re lovely.

“To Yeovil fans I would like to say in this tough time for the club that I wish that in the next couple of years Yeovil will come back to where we have been. Slowly in League 2, League One and promote as high as possible. Stick together all the time. The team needs supporters.”

A huge “paldies” (Thank you in Latvian) to Vitalijs for taking the time to answer our questions, an extra “hvala vam” (Thank you in Slovenian) to the NK Olimpija Press Officer Kristjan Pahor for all his help for making this happen.

 

Who would you like to see us track down next? which ‘cult hero’ is worthy of some dodgy translations and a few questions fired over the interweb? Let us know!

 

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Them lot up the road have announced their released and retained list as the 2020/21 season has drawn to a close and former Yeovil Town midfielder Alefe Santos is one of the five players who will be leaving the Bob Lucas stadium.

The Brazilian played for Yeovil for two seasons from the 2017/18 campaign after joining from Derby County.

He racked up a total of 43 games for the Glovers failing to score.

We wish Alefe all the best in finding a new club.

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Sarll and Skiverton
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll, left, with assistant, Terry Skiverton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll is back in the dugout this Wednesday (2nd June) as he takes part in an academy trial day for Stratford Town.

Advertising on their social media channels, Stratford Town are offering a trial day for players aged 16-19.

This is their third trial day and the second with a guest host, the other being former Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth.

Sarll has been invited to host the event as the two clubs have had a strong link since 2019. Albi Skendi joined the Glovers from Stratford and the two have played pre-season friendlies in the last two years.

Speaking to the club’s official site, Sarll said; “I’m delighted to be invited to Stratford Town to host this next trial. Academy football is where you begin to see players maturing into the game.”

The current Academy manager for the Southern League club Ryan Simmonds said “Having Darren come in to host the trial is great for the Academy. His experience of working with players of this age group and passing on his knowledge of the game will be a real bonus for those who attend and our boys who are already here.”

All the best to the gaffer as his search for young talent continues – just… maybe bring a couple of the good ones back to Huish Park, instead, yeah?