David Coates

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The Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust has announced that it has officially split from the club and will no longer operate using the Yeovil Town name.

In a lengthy statement posted on Thursday, the Trust – which is now going under ‘Community Sports Trust’ – said it had been told to “remove the club’s badge and branding” from all communications and told the club “no longer wish to continue a formal relationship.”

It follows intensive promotion by the club of a new “elite football and education pathway” now being run between the club and Yeovil College which will oversee the Under-19s team, previously managed by the Trust.

The Trust has accused the club of “undermining it” by establishing the programme with the college which “directly compete with the programme the Trust has been successfully running for the last two years.” It adds: “These negotiations and subsequent agreements have been ongoing without informing or consulting the Trust in advance.”

It should be noted at this point that the club has been responding to questions on its Facebook page where it has said the Trust was kept informed about the situation. The Gloverscast has approached the club for a response and assured that something will be issued soon.

The Trust added: “The club knew the Trust had 12 learners going forward into a second year and had recruited a further 28 learners to start their first year in September. The club is now actively trying to divert these learners to the college which is unprincipled and fails to appreciate that many participants do not want to attend a college to undertake a BTEC course.”

The split throws in to question the future of community soccer schools and the fate of the Yeovil Town Women, which operated under the Trust last season. The Trust has said it continue to operate without the club name adding that the decision “provides clarity for the future of our organisation.”

It adds: “All the Trustees have a long-standing relationship with the club and the local community and they are determined the Trust will move forward with renewed purpose and vigour we regard this division between the club and the Trust to be temporary. We will reunite.”

Executive Chairman Stuart Robins, who is a Director of the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown

On 2nd July, trustees listed on the Trust’s website include current club Executive Chairman Stuart Robins, former Chief Executive Officer Martyn Starnes, who is Chairman of Trustees, ex-Glovers’ captain Josh Staunton, former player and club Commercial Manager Dave Linney, Chris Roberts and Marilyn Cottle. However, the only people listed as directors of Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust Ltd on Companies House on 2nd July are Stuart Robins, Martyn Starnes, Dave Linney and Johanna Harris, a teacher at Buckler’s Mead Academy.

The Trust’s statement added: “We have always believed that football should unite communities. It is incomprehensible that the current owners are choosing a path of division between the club and the Trust, particularly as ‘community’ has been promoted as one of the club’s core values.”

Announcing the establishment of its new relationship with Yeovil College, which saw former defender Roy O’Brien appointed as manager of the Under-19s, director Bhavna Vohra said: “Giving young people a real route into careers through sport has been a passion of ours from the start, and in Yeovil College we have found a partner who shares that vision completely.”

However, the cracks between the club and the Trust were immediately clear with Trust posted on its social media channels: “We are disappointed to find out from social media about a new partnership between the football club and the college..” before going on to discuss its own Elite Performance Programme.

We spoke about this very public falling out on the latest edition of the Gloverscast podcast and called for clarity from the club about its future relationship with the Trust and the future position of the women’s team.

This latest unedifying chapter in the feud now means there is a question mark about the future of the young people enrolled on the Trust’s scheme, involved in its Junior Premier League sides and the future of community soccer schools. These appear destined to continue with the Trust, but without the club’s name attached or at any venue linked to it.

For the sake of these people alone, a swift clarification from the club is needed.

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Gloverscast Fans' Quiz #12

It's pre-season again and in honour of Spot the Trialist, trips to teams you didn't know existed and long runs in sweltering conditions, we have got a friendly theme to the Gloverscast Fans' Quiz #12.

The same categories you will be familiar with if you have tried a quiz before - Golden Oldies, Facts and Stats, The Day Today and Fans' Favourites - and an opportunity to remember legendary skipper Terry Skiverton.

No prizes, no VAR, and absolutely no complaints about the questions... well, not until the comments section anyway.

1 / 12

In 2003, Yeovil Town achieved promotion to the Football League after 108 years of trying, but which business was its main shirt sponsor?

2 / 12

Name the striker who manager Basil Hayward brought to Huish from Portsmouth in the summer of 1960 and went on to become Yeovil Town’s post-war record goal-scorer.

3 / 12

Which footballing giant did Yeovil Town’s legendary manager Alec Stock turn down the chance to face in a friendly match after they shocked the footballing world by beating Sunderland in the FA Cup in 1949?

4 / 12

In July 1999, Yeovil Town played amateur side East Coker in a pre-season friendly at Bradford Abbas. What was the final score?

5 / 12

In the summer of 2025, Yeovil Town hosted Bristol Rovers in a pre-season friendly match to raise funds for research in to Motor Neurone Disease, the illness which former Glovers and Gas striker Marcus Stewart lives with. What was the crowd for that fixture?

The scoreboard at Huish Park beamed a thankyou message to Marcus Stewart at the final whistle.

6 / 12

In the summer of 2019, Darren Sarll was assembling a side looking to get Yeovil Town back in to the Football League at the first attempt. One of his key signings that summer was striker Rhys Murphy, how many goals did he score in that pre-season campaign?

7 / 12

Name the young Birmingham City defender who trialled for Yeovil Town in pre-season last summer before arriving on loan.

8 / 12

How many pre-season friendly wins did Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves pick up from five matches during the summer of 2022?

9 / 12

In the summer of 2023, Mark Cooper’s Glovers picked up a 4-0 win in their opening pre-season friendly with goals from Jordan Stevens, Jake Hyde, Frank Nouble and Matt Worthington. Who was their opponent?

10 / 12

We all know Terry Skiverton as a Yeovil Town legend, but what was the name of the fictional football club he was youth team coach at in Sky’s soccer soap Dream Team during the late 1990s an early 2000s?

11 / 12

In the 2004-05 season, Terry Skiverton captained Yeovil Town to the League Two title, how many league goals did he score that season?

12 / 12

At which Football League club is Skivo now assistant manager?

Your score is

The average score is 53%

0%

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Dagenham & Redbridge attacking midfielder Joe Haigh has become the eleventh signing of Yeovil Town’s summer after being announced on a two-year contract.

The 23-year-old was named the Daggers’ Player of the Season after an impressive campaign in National League South last season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists, and attracted attention from other National League Premier Division clubs this summer.

He turned down a new deal at the Essex club after his one-year deal expired this month, but the Glovers are likely to have to pay compensation due to the player being under 24 years old.

A product of the Chelsea academy, Haigh represented England at both Under-15s and Under-16s level before joining Aldershot Town and then moving to Step 4 side South Park in the Isthmian League South Central Division.

He impressed there and joined Farnborough in March 2024 and scored ten goals in the 2024/25 season before moving to Dagenham where his form continued last season.

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Despite having brought eight players in already, Yeovil Town have said their transfer business ahead of the new National League season is “nowhere near finished.”

In the past fortnight, the Glovers have announced the additions of goalkeeper Jos Barker, defenders Joe Gubbins , Hayden Muller and Archie Davies, midfielder Zain Westbrooke, and forwards Stephen Walker, Johl Powell and Mason Obeng.

But, Chief Operations Officer Nicholas Brayne has posted on social media that there is still more to come with further announcements expected next week.

Posting on Facebook, he said: “We are nowhere near finished yet! Hold on to your hats for next week. Lovely to see the reaction from the most important part of this wonderful club – our amazing fan base.”

The club’s social media followed up with a video showing all the latest arrivals on Saturday with a post which ended: “Stay tuned next week, Glovers….”

Nicholas Brayne’s post on social media

As is always the case, the transfer rumour mill has been spinning with former Glovers’ player Tom Knowles the latest to be linked with a return to Huish Park.

The 27-year-old is available having left Forest Green Rovers following “a legacy administrative error” which meant the Gloucestershire outfit were unable to trigger an extension on his contract following a season which saw him score ten goals in 45 National League appearances last season.

Announcing his departure last month, Forest Green said: “Unfortunately, Tom has decided to look at other opportunities and has played his last game in the FGR colours.”

The reports linking him with a return to Yeovil are doing the rounds on social media – and the Stroud Times – so add whatever size pinch of salt you feel necessary, and all eyes will be on Huish Park next week to see who the other new faces are.

One other player who could be interesting boss Billy Rowley is young striker Will Merry, who impressed during his six-game loan spell from Southampton at the end of last season.

The 20-year-old was one of five youngsters released by Championship side Southampton earlier this week, making him available to sign for other clubs ahead of next season.

WARNING: Do not fall in love with footballers. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

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Former Carlisle United full-back Archie Davies has become the latest new arrival in a busy week for new signings at Yeovil Town.

The right-sided player, who has experience of pushing up the pitch as a wing-back, was released from the Cumbrians at the end of last season having played 26 times for them in all competitions.

He is the third new arrival this week following midfielder Johl Powell and striker Stephen Walker and the fifth overall with midfielders Zain Westbrooke and Mason Obeng having arrived at the end of May.

The 27-year-old’s stats show him as an attack-minded full-back with an ability to create a chance and provide an assist and is the first proper right-back the Glovers have had since the departure of Michee Efete. The likes of Josh Sims, Ryan Jones, James Daly and even Harvey Greenslade all had a go there last season.

Originally from East Sussex, Davies began his career in the academies at Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion and turned out for the Seagulls’ Under-21s side before being released and joining League Two side Craelwy Town where he made almost 40 appearances before being released at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

His next step was Aldershot Town and made 29 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign, but did not feature for the Shots in the following campaign and joined League of Ireland side Dundalk in January 2023 and was named in the league’s Team of the Year in 2023.

He returned to England when he joined Carlisle in the summer of 2024, having just completed a season with Dundalk and made 22 appearances in League Two before relegation to the National League was confirmed.

Fun fact: Davies has played against Yeovil twice with both games played on October 25th. He turned out for Aldershot Town in a 2-0 defeat for the Glovers in 2022 and started for Carlisle in the 1-1 draw on the same date in 2025. Okay, not that fun, but anyway.

Archie Davies gets close to former Glover Andrew Oluwabori last October. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

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Yeovil Town are expected to announce further new signings this afternoon with Southend United defender Joe Gubbins and Walton & Hersham midfielder Johl Powell among those expected.

On Sunday afternoon, the Glovers posted a video on their social media showing four green-and-white scarves, often used in videos to unveil new arrivals, with a message saying: “Ready for a busy week? Starting tomorrow at 5pm.”

Gubbins’ departure from Southend was confirmed in a statement by the Essex club on Sunday night saying the 24-year-old defender had departed to “explore another opportunity elsewhere.”

Earlier in the day, football journalist Peter O’Rourke, a regular poster on transfers across the divisions, had tweeted that Gubbins was on his way to Huish Park.

Powell announced his own exit from Walton, where he played under Yeovil boss Billy Rowley on his Instagram account. Not a guarantee of him being bound for Somerset, but the timing would line up with the expected incomings.

Scarborough Athletic striker Stephen Walker, who scored 19 times for the National League North side last season, is another name on the rumour mill.

Watch this space at 5pm today…..

Johl Powell’s farewell message to Walton & Hersham.

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Got your diaries open? Here are some key dates for the 2026/27 Enterprise National League season….

Fixture release day Friday 10 July 2026

Opening day Saturday 8 August 2026

Final day Saturday 24 April 2026

Promotion finals weekend Saturday 8 May/Sunday 9 May 2027

Christmas fixtures Saturday 26 December/Monday 28 December 2026

New Year’s fixture Saturday 2 January 2027

Clubs can still move the 28th December date back to a 7.45pm kick-off or move their 2nd January fixture to New Year’s Day.

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Gloverscast Fans' Quiz #11

The Gloverscast Fans' Quiz returns for its eleventh outing with another four rounds designed to test the knowledge of Yeovil Town supporters young and old. We delve into the archives with Golden Oldies, tackle summer signings from The Day Today, crunch the numbers in Facts + Stats, and finish with a Fans' Favourite round dedicated to local lad, cult hero and occasional goalscorer, goalkeeper Chris Weale.

Whether you're a Huish Park historian, a stat-loving anorak or simply fancy proving you're the smartest Glover in the room, there should be something here to get the memory banks working. Pens at the ready — and no Googling.

1 / 12

Who was the Scotsman who joined Yeovil Town as a player in 1956 making 26 appearances before joining the coaching set up as a trainer for 14 years and then returning the mid-90s and forming part of the backroom staff which won promotion to the Football League?

2 / 12

Name the midfielder who joined Yeovil Town from Reading in March 1998 and went on to make more than 100 appearances before his departure in 2001.

3 / 12

Terry Cotton played more than 400 times for Yeovil Town before going on to home a number of roles at the club, but how many goals did he score for the Glovers?

4 / 12

Who was the first summer signing made by Yeovil Town at the start of the 2025/26 season?

5 / 12

Which club was striker Jake Hyde released by before arriving at Huish Park in the summer of 2023?

6 / 12

Name the goalkeeper who also arrived at Huish Park ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season.

7 / 12

Which player made the most appearances for Yeovil as they were relegated from the Football League in the 2018-19 season?

8 / 12

Yeovil Town finished the 2019/20 season in the National League Premier Division play-offs on a points per game basis. What was their points per game total that season?

9 / 12

How many permanent managers did Yeovil Town have in the 2025/26 season?

10 / 12

Which manager gave Chris Weale his first-team debut for Yeovil Town in the year 2000?

11 / 12

In 2009, Weale was loaned back to the Glovers by Bristol City and famously scored a goal to secure League One status, but against which club did he score?

12 / 12

In June 2014, Weale rejoined his boyhood club on a permanent deal after eight years away, but which club did he play for prior to returning to Huish Park?

Your score is

The average score is 57%

0%

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Mason Obeng signs for Yeovil Town.

Midfielder Mason Obeng has become Yeovil Town’s second signing of the summer after agreeing a two-year contract at Huish Park.

The 22-year-old is at the centre of a storm involving National League South new boys Walton & Hersham where he was part of the side which won the Southern League Premier Division South title last season.

Earlier this month, Walton revealed they had complained to the FA about “repeated approaches” to their players by Yeovil boss Billy Rowley, who was in charge at the Surrey side at the start of last season, and confirmed the Glovers had made a formal approach for Obeng.

Speaking to the club’s social media after the announcement, the new signing said: “I have always wanted to make the step up, so I am happy to be here. Having Billy here was very big for me, being comfortable and knowing the manager at this club brings certainty to me when you go to a new club, so it was a no brainer for me.

“Knowing that Yeovil is a club which plays higher up the divisions and aspire to get back to the Football League, I want to be someone who can help bring them back there.”

Mason Obeng has signed a two-year contract at Huish Park.

Rowley signed Obeng for Walton in the summer of 2024 after the player left Aldershot Town. The QPR academy product was named the Players’ Player of the Year at Walton following a season which saw him score 15 goals in his second campaign for the club.

“I like to entertain when I play, as an attacking player I like to create and score goals, that is what makes me enjoy football. Naturally I like to win, so I want to do that and help the team to get promoted through the play-offs or even the title. 

“Joining a new team always brings new friends in football, that is one of the joys of joining a new club and naturally I want to blend in to the team.”

He follows the announcement of the signing of midfielder Zain Westbrooke, who has been given a three-year deal by Yeovil after leaving League Two Doncaster Rovers.

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Midfielder Zain Westbrooke has become Yeovil Town’s first signing of the summer joining  on a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old was part of the Scunthorpe United which made it to the National League Premier Division play-offs last season making 37 appearances for the Iron.

He was released by League Two side Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season.

Tahvon Campbell and Zain Westbrooke

Yeovil boss Billy Rowley said: “Zain is a clever, experienced midfielder who will bring a lot of calm to the team, but also the bite and competitiveness you need to win games. His passing range is top class, he reads the game really well, and he’s got the quality and personality to control matches. His experience will be massive for us over the course of the season, and we’re delighted to bring him to Yeovil Town.”

Having come through the academy at Brentford, Westbrooke was part of the Coventry City squad which won the League One title in 2019-20 which was curtailed due to COVID, making 33 appearances. He joined Bristol Rovers in 2020 before falling out of favour with then-Gas boss Joey Barton and being loaned out to Stevenage in 2022 and leaving the following year.

He signed for Doncaster following his departure from the Memorial Stadium and reached the League Two play-offs in 2023/24 and, despite missing a chunk of that campaign with a thigh injury, he missed a penalty in a semi-final shoot-out against Crewe Alexandra. He made just ten appearances in the 2024-25 campaign with lengthy absences through injury and was loaned to Scunthorpe last October.