Ben Barrett (Page 148)

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If the excitement of the Semi-Final comeback against Sheffield United wasn’t enough to tip you  over the edge of footballing emotion, there’s a fair chance, what can only be described as 90 minutes of HELL would have done the trick.

Coming into the final, there were fears, much like in 2007, that the final might be one step too far following a rollercoaster route to the the Wembley show piece.

But, unlike in 2007, we saw the game through.

Yeovil got off to the best possible start – and who else could it be, but Paddy Madden?

The ball fell kindly to the Irishman and with the outside of the right boot, he found the top corner.

1-0. Crikey.

I’m convinced that this is the perfect time to bring out the old cliche, but if Messi or Ronaldo had scored that goal in a big final, they’d replay it forever, it’s that good of a finish.

The horrible truth is, that throughout this game – Yeovil were on the backfoot – defending stoutly throughout, there’s a reason Marek Stech got Man Of The Match,

You, me, any of the near 20,000 Glovers in the stadium would have taken a 1-0 lead into half time, but it would actually get better.

Dan Burn with a header, probably intended to just give something for someone else to latch onto made it through everyone, including a wild swoosh from James Hayter, to go in, clearly in – miles over the line.

2-0. Bloody Hell.

I was so  nervous, this wasn’t meant to happen, Yeovil weren’t meant to make it to the Championship – Brentford were one penalty kick away from making it automatically, of course they’d win the play offs.

Harlee Dean thought so anyway.

Probably the only moment of defensive sloppiness came when Dean skipped past his marker and headed home to half the deficit.

The Bees continued to huff, to puff and to force save after save from Marek Stech.

As time went by, the nerves barely held on.

But Yeovil did.

There are many elements of that day never to be forgotten aside from the headlines created, by Madde, Burn and Stech; Jamie McAlister broke his nose, Gavin Williams got booked as a sub, cameo roles for Matty Dolan and Vitaljs Maksimenko too.

But, after taking 108 years to get to the Football League, it took just ten to reach the second tier, whatever happened after is for another story, on another day.

But this was magical. – My words won’t do it justice, very few ever will, but they can never take away the time OUR club won at Wembley.

 

 

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Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

On what was an emotionally charged night at Huish Park, Darren Sarll spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following Yeovil Town’s 0-0 draw with Maidenhead.

The Glovers struck the woodwork twice through Josh Neufville and Charlie Lee and had plenty of near misses in a game with the Glovers dominated.

Before speaking about the 90 minutes, Sarll took time to recognise the significance of having supporters back inside Huish Park for the first time in over 400 days;

“It was so emotional, when we all came out and they all clapped – I was proper… cor, that got me! That was amazing, really amazing, listen they’re the winner tonight, I can’t believe how good it was to have them back. There are some unbelievable supporters at Yeovil, brilliant, really sort of, like, heartfelt people.”

The whole stadium took a moment as the clock struck four minutes to applaud as a mark of rememberace for club captain, Lee Collins who sadly passed away.

Sarll, who joined in, praised the fans for their gesture as well as some of the players who joined in.

“On four minutes, when everyone clapped, the Adam’s apple started coming up and forward. It was an emotional night, I’m not the emotional sort of cuddly teddy bear, but that got me.”

“I saw (Chris) Dagnall with his hands in the air clapping whilst defending a corner and we have to pay tribute to Lee over the long term, it won’t be a fly by feeling, we’ve got pictures up of him, we don’t want to forget Lee… it was a wonderful thing for the supporters to do, and I love that the players were clapping even though they were running around.”

Focus turned to the fixture itself and the Gaffer tried to sum up a game full of twists and turns saying;

“It’s amazing, that’s the best we’ve played all season, no doubt in my mind. The passing, the techical ability improved, our awareness improved.”

“It was a good point, especially when Luke (Wilkinson) got sent off.”

Picture Courtesy Of Mike Kunz

Wilkinson was shown his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 2nd half after appearing to handle the ball in an attempt to score from a corner, but the Manager was still left scratching his head.

“I don’t understand, the ref’s just said to me and I quote “If that’s anywhere else on the pitch, I can’t book him for handball” – now I don’t understand that.”

Sarll didn’t go as far as to break the Gloverscast Rule 1 of moaning about the officials at this level (they’re all rubbish, deal with it), but he admitted the situation was confusing and that his side will be worse off for Wilko’s absence through suspension

“Luke was a bit silly, he’s had a slapped wrist, we’ve got to be better than that.. the only people who suffer are his team mates and his manager.”

Focus returned to far more positive aspects of the performance with Lawson D’Ath once again singled out for praise with Chris Dagnall also described as two members of the squad who “defy all logic” with their work rate, endeavour and ability to put in constant performances despite their fitness concerns.

Yeovil Town have two games left, Altrincham  away on Saturday before welcoming supporters for one final time when Stockport visit on the final day.


 

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The National League took another step closer to completion this evening with five more games on the schedule – but only four took place.

Solihull Moors clash with lowly Barnet was postponed due a waterlogged pitch, it leaves Solihull still having to squeeze four games in to finish off their campaign.

Of the games that did take place, in addition to the 0-0 draw between Yeovil and Maidenhead, there were wins for Notts County, Eastleigh and Boreham Wood – all away from home.

County won 1-0 at Wrexham in a game that could prove pivotal in the race for play-off spots, Jake Reeves with the only goal.

Eastleigh went to Aldershot and won 3-1, and Boreham Wood were winners against W*ymouth by the same margin.

It leaves the vast majority of sides with just two left to play, with some sides still having only played 39 or 38 games.

 

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Picture: Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Former Yeovil Town Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson is on the hunt for a new club after Crawley Town opted not to enter negotations on a new contract.

Nelson, who will turn 40 in September, played at Huish Park for two seasons with his final game being the defeat to Barnet in the National League Play-Offs last season.

All the best to Stuart as he looks for his next club – with over 500 professional games on his CV, he shouldn’t short of options.

 

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“In Goes Stewart… THEY’VE ONLY GONE AND DONE IT”

Where do you even begin?
As a Yeovil Town supporter of 21 years, the emotions of that night on the side of the River Trent will live long in the memory.

2-0 down from the first leg in Somerset, how could Yeovil go to the City Ground and over turn that deficit?

The myths and stories are legendary, the Forest players had already had their suits fitted for Wembley, the cars parked around the city were already plastered with adverts asking fans to book their travel and their hotels, but Arron Davies, Chris Cohen and Co had other ideas.

It was magical, something I’ve been lucky enough to write about before, including in Martin McConachie’s excellent book ’10’ documenting the Glovers first 10 years as a football league club.

I’ve tried to write this On This Day a few times, and never felt I’ve done it justice.

So i’ll leave it to Ben Barrett from 2011 with the YouTube highlights (below) still a regular clip on the play list in my house.

1095 fans made their way to the City Ground knowing turning over a 2-0 deficit might be mission impossible.

Being in that away end for the two and a bit hours that I there was remains the most incredible few hours of football I have ever witnessed.

The pattern of play was the same, Yeovil were probably the better side for most of the game, but the way the match flipped and twisted a thousand times and the stories that unfolded on the side of the River Trent couldn’t have been written.

Arron Davies made the tie interesting in the first half, a brilliant solo goal got the atmosphere bubbling nicely, even at 2-1 things were going to be difficult.

“Paul Smith in the Forest goal pulled off a double save worthy of the Champions League final before Marcus Stewart flashed a shot over.

That’s probably everything you need to know about the first half, it was that kind of game.

The second half started with a bang. Scott Dobie wrote his part of the script by scoring to level things up.

An ordinary goal to break an extraordinary barren spell, it was his first goal in 21 months. They say timing is everything.

As far as my memory serves me, nothing happened between the 48th and the 80th minute.

Neither side wanted to make a mistake, everything bounced around in midfield and no-one wanted to cost their side at a crucial time.

The next chapter belongs to Chris Cohen, the man who had masterminded Yeovil’s success by pulling the strings in midfield was injured, he would play at Wembley but as he left the field we knew he was off for good. We didn’t expect him to move to Forest however. Still, the £1million helped.

Anyway, I digress, Cohen was off, but Jean Paul Kalala was on, JP was a tackler rather than a play maker and yet it was he who fired a shot in from 25 yards just as it seemed all hope had gone.

That shot didn’t go in, it struck the post before rebounding to Alan Wright, the Sheffield United defender had been released by the Blades before playing for his loan club that night.

His day went from bad to worse as the rebounded shot hit him square in the face and trickled over the line.

3-2 on aggregate, Yeovil had 8 minutes to find one last goal for extra time.

It has taken me a while to get there, but my play off memory is this.

Andy Lindegaard, a full blown Yeovil legend picks the ball up on the right hand side, he delivered a cross, Paul Smith didn’t come out and Marcus Stewart jumped.

Stewart’s forehead met the ball with perfect timing, the ball hits the net and we in the away end all go ballistic.

My memory is played out to the sound of the Sky Sports commentator saying six magical words…”

“They’ve … only gone and done it”

Of course, that line sticks long in the memory of Glovers fans, but it was by no means the end of the game.

Extra Time loomed, Lee Morris put us ahead after *that* Wes Morgan backpass, Grant Holt tried to throw a spanner in the works, David Prutton was a spanner and got send off and then Davies once more… a drop of the shoulder, a momentary pause… then, well back to past me….

“I was singing yet I was silent, I was happy yet there were tears, I was dancing yet I couldnt move a muscle”

“This wasn’t supposed to happen, we stayed in the away end until the stewards had to go home, we sang in the car park and in the services on the way home”

Yeovil were on their way to Wembley for the first time in their history thanks to a night, no Glover will ever forget.


 

 

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Rotherham United have announced that former Yeovil Town loanee, Shaun MacDonald will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

The Millers, managed by another former Glover, Paul Warne announced their released and retained list on Monday.

MacDonald spent no fewer than five(!) loan spells at Huish Park from 2009 – 2011.

In total, the Welsh international played 64 times in Green and White, scoring 9 goals including a hat-trick against Leyton Orient in 2011.

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

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Yeovil Town made a management change on this day in 2006.

Steve Thompson, was – for the second time – stood down as the Glovers’ manager.

He and assistant Kevin Hodges were told that the club was going to look elsewhere for a head coach.

At the time, the official statement read;

“Following lengthy discussions, the Board of Directors of Yeovil Town Football Club have now confirmed, that subject to further talks, Steve Thompson has agreed to continue his role as first team coach, but to relinquish his football management duties in the near future.”

Yeovil Town Chairman John Fry gave the following view on the situation to the official site:

“Steve Thompson has made a fantastic contribution towards the success of this club during his eight years of service as a player, coach and manager. He is an essential part of future plans in developing a team for Championship football at Huish Park. It is the right time to make the necessary changes for the challenge of keeping the club in Coca Cola League One next season and the important task of appointing the next manager of Yeovil Town Football Club which will need to be completed by the end of this month. In the meantime negotiations will continue with out of contract players.”

Thompson would go on to confirm his initial displeasure at the decision saying “Myself and Kevin were devastated when we were told the club was looking for a new manager. We feel that given the circumstances this season, we have done a very good job. As for our future circumstances, talks between myself, Kevin and John Fry are on-going.”

Talks would continue and soon the announcement of Russell Slade‘s arrival to work alongside Thompson would follow, but Kevin Hodges would leave the club not long after,

Slade and Thompson would lead the Glovers to the League One Play-Off Final in their first season as Manager and Assistant.

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May 15th 2001.

In the summer of 2001, Yeovil were searching for a new manager following the resignation of Colin Addison, and if reports were to be believed, Chairman John Fry had a couple of very well known faces lined up for a spot in the Huish Park dug out.

Local media had been reporting that both Tony Pulis and Harry Redknapp were being lined up for the job.

However, it was on this day in 2001 that Fry put those rumours to bed.

Telling the club’s official website;

“That’s just paper talk. I had a reporter talking to me about Neil Coates’ testimonial against West Ham, and we got talking about Harry Redknapp. Next thing I know, I’m apparently after him for the job! All I can say is that I have not talked to Harry Redknapp or Tony Pulis about the position.”

Rumours were firmly quashed by the Western Daily Press as well, with them saying “it is absolute rubbish”.

Of course, neither Pulis or Redknapp ever did end up joining Yeovil, althought  did stop by for a coffee on a couple of occasions after being invited by Darren Way in 2017

The Glovers ended up signing a chap by the name of “Gary Johnson” in June of 2001, and we here at the Gloverscast are told… he ended up doing alright.

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Former Yeovil Town Captain Omar Sowunmi will be leaving Colchester United at the end of his current contract.

Defender Omar Sowunmi.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The U’s detailed their plans for the upcoming season with their released/retained list on Friday, which includes confirmation the central defender will be leaving.

Sowunmi joined the Glovers at the start of the 2015/16 season from Ipswich Town by then Manager, Paul Sturrock.

Despite not playing any league games for the Tractor Boys, he had played regularly with loan spells in the National League Divisions with Braintree and Lowestoft.

He would spend four seasons and Huish Park before joining Colchester for an undisclosed fee in July 2019.

Sowunmi would play 87 times in the Green and White and was named Team Captain in 2018.

We wish Omar all the best in his search for a new club, also, here’s a slightly frightening Gif of him, very happy about something ?

 

via GIPHY

 

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Two former Yeovil Town loanee are on the hunt for a new club this summer after being released by Bristol City.

Midfielder Liam Walsh during his loan spell with Yeovil Town in 2016.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin played a handful games on loan from Watford in the 2011/12 season before having spells at Plymouth, Crawley Town and Colchester before landing up the road on the red side of Bristol.

But more surprisingly on the released list is Liam Walsh.

A firm fan favourite from his 15-game loan spell from Everton in 2016, he lit up Huish Park with some glittering performances.

Walsh spent time with Birmingham City, before joining Bristol City – signed by former Glovers’ midfielder, Lee Johnson.

Injuries and a loan spell at meant that his time as Ashton Gate has been stop=start, but with undoubted quality, it wont be long before Walsh has an option or two for the forthcoming season, maybe Skivo still has his number?