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Former Yeovil Town loanee Josh Neufville may be loaned out again next season by his parent club Luton Town.

The speedy forward is one of three young prospects which Hatters’ boss and former Yeovil defender Nathan Jones is considering sending out on loan to get more experience.

Josh Neufville. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Jones admitted there had been “a lot of interest” in the 21-year-old who was recalled early from his second spell at Huish Park one game before the end of last season.

He also said that Dion Pererira, who had an ill-fated one-game spell in Somerset before returning to Kenilworth Road, may also be loaned out after a two-month stint at League Two side Bradford City last season.

Speaking to LutonToday, Jones said: “We’ve got a lot of young players here, we’re really establishing the football club and with Paul Hart’s appointment in the academy, the Under-23 group is now stronger.

“That will filter all the way through the age groups, there’s a clear way of thinking now with the academy, it’s aligned with what we do, and it’s strengthened all that.

“By doing that we can afford to one, keep young players in the building and not necessarily let them go out on loan, but there’s some at the point that they may need to.

“Dion Pereira may need a loan, Elliot Thorpe may need a loan, Josh Neufville, we’ve had a lot of interest in him, but if they don’t go out then they’ll be in and around our group and get game time in the 23s as well.

“So we’re in a real good position at the minute and we want to continue to get better.”

Speaking to the Gloverscast last month, Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves said he had spoken with Neufville about making a third return.

He said: “I have spoken to Josh Neufville about a potential return to the club. With him, the manager will want him to go to the next level and he probably wants to show himself in pre-season, but he knows if there’s any glimmer of him coming back, he’s coming back.

“The door is open. The way he performed in some of the game, he looked like he gained from being here, so I would love him to be here.”

Neufville played 11 times in his second spell, scoring the winner in a 2-1 home win over eventual champions Stockport County, after returning to Huish Park at the end of March.

His previous stay in the 2020-21 season lasted five months and saw him score five times in 31 appearances.

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New Yeovil Town director Stuart Robins has said a return to the Football League is his top priority.

The businessman, who has been a season ticket holder at Huish Park for the past 15 seasons, joined the board last month alongside chairman Scott Priestnall

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel about his first month at the club, said he was also targeting making the club financially self-sustainable and said the sale of Huish Park and surrounding land to South Somerset District Council had given the club “a framework to build on.”

New director Stuart Robins speaking to the club’s YouTube channel.

Robins said: “There’s two main objectives and the first is to get us back in to the Football League as quickly as we can. I would love to think we can do it this year, but that is putting an awful lot of pressure on Chris and his team.

“The other thing is to make sure the club is self-sustainable going forward and we are looking to do that as quickly as possible.

“The transaction with the council has been key to that and has given us the framework to build on and to make the club totally self-sustainable.”

He spoke about the need to increase season ticket sales and acknowledged that this could only be achieved by winning matches.

There were no details around any plans for other people to the club’s board despite Priestnall saying he was having “a number of conversations with people” about joining the board two months ago.

But, the new director did say that plans were afoot to improve the experience at Huish Park, assisted by the lifting of covenants on the ground lifted by the sale to SSDC.

He said: “There are plans to make a fan’s area behind the Thatcher’s Stand to create a nicer environment with other things going on, with the help of one of our sponsors, Thatcher’s, and make it more accessible to people. As well as other places around the ground.”

This week the club posted on its social media feed that a contractor had been hired to clean the outside of the stadium, publicly thanking the Green & White Supporters’ Club, the club’s official supporters’ group.

Stuart Robins added: “We are working closely with the Green & Whites Supporters’ Club to make an environment for their members because they have been huge supporters of the club.

“One thing I didn’t realise is how much work they do to help the club on a voluntary basis. One of my aims to do all we can to help them to help us because they are incredibly loyal and supportive.”

When he was appointed last month, the club described the new director, whose uncle is former club chairman Gerry Lock, and daughter is BBC Somerset commentator Sheridan Robins, as having “significant experience in growing and developing successful businesses” predominantly in the telecommunications business.

In his interview, he admitted it had taken him “some time to get my feet under the table” and said he had “no idea how complex running a business like a football club would be.”

He said: “It’s taken me some time to get my feet under the table and in particular all the stakeholders which you don’t tend to have in a standard business.

“One of the key ones is supporters or what we’d call ‘the customers’ in business terms. Everybody is so emotionally involved and I have been for most of my life – some good, some not so good.

“So getting to understand the requirements of those stakeholders, both supporters and the wider community (is important).

“The integration and relationship with the other groups, particularly Disabled Supporters’ Association, the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust, what we are doing with schools, are really important for the immediate and long term success of the football club.”

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.

On the pitch he said he believed new manager Chris Hargreaves was doing “an incredible job in producing a team that will compete” with strikers Malachi Linton and Ollie Hulbert having been added to a number of players retained from last season.

Of the new boss, he said: “Understanding (Chris’) motivations are and how he works has been quite fascinating, he is clearly a true professional and looks like he is developing to squad which can get us back where we belong.”

The director also stated his ambition to re-open the club’s Academy upon its promotion to the Football League and hailed the achievements of the club’s Under-18s coach, Matt Percival, following the signing of youth team product Ollie Haste on a professional contract.

The Gloverscast recently spoke with Matt about the work of the Under-18s and the partnership with Yeovil College through its Elite Player Development Programme (EPDP) which you can listen to – here.

Robins added: “One of the critical aims of getting in the League is we will put back together the Academy and further develop that community feel, but we can only do that when we get back in to the EFL and get the funding to do that.

“The relationship with Yeovil College is critical and hopefully Matt can help unearth more talent, like Ollie, for the club.

“Hopefully it gives other young people in the local area an incentive to want to come and be part of the club because that’s our future – not just them, their entire family because we need everyone we can in to the club to support the team and therefore support the community.”

In July 2020, the club closed its Academy after failing to return to the Football League at its first attempt in the 2019-20 season and losing the funding it received to support the set-up.

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Yeovil Town new boy Malachi Linton has said the opportunity to play under the club’s new management team played a major part in his decision to sign.

The 21-year-old, who joined last week following his release by Wycombe Wanderers at the end of last season, said boss Chris Hargreaves was “a driving factor” in his decision.

He admitted that the first day of pre-season training on Monday had been a signal of intent from the new manager, saying: “It’s been no joke, we’ve been straight in and hitting it hard. The Gaffer obviously has some ambitions and is setting the pace really early.

“The manager was the key driving factor, I spoke to him, he’s up front and honest with great values and along with the other management it is a no brainer.”

The former Ipswich Town scholar also spoke to the club’s YouTube channel about his desire to learn from Marcus Stewart, the club’s new Head of Player Development.

Stewart scored 19 Premier League goals in one season for Linton’s hometown club, Ipswich Town, in 2000-01, although admittedly the new boy was only born in December 2000.

He said: “I’m all about bettering myself and what better person to learn off and do that?”

The striker, who describes himself as “a dynamic forward with a lot of energy“, believes he can pick up where he left off after a loan spell in the National League with King’s Lynn Town last season.

He scored eight times in 31 appearances, including six goals in his final ten games, before departing to undergo surgery on a leg injury.

Linton said: “That was my first full season in men’s football, so I found it eye opening. I really enjoyed my time there, playing games and scoring goals.

“I feeling fighting fit, I’m nice and healed and just building back up and I will be ready to go (when the National League season gets started) on August 6.”

He added: “I’m hungry to win and I’m hungry to score. I’m looking to bring as much as I can, win as many games and score as many goals as I can.

“It is a big club with big ambition and hopefully I can help it fulfil those ambitions. It is a pull and a massive bonus because every player wants to play for a big club in front of a big crowd.”

The club’s social media account was awash with pictures from the first day of pre-season training at Huish Park on Monday.

As ever, the pictures were carefully selected to only showing already announced members of the squad.

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Yeovil Town’s kit for the 2022-23 season will see a return to green and white stripes, the club has revealed.

The shirt, manufactured by Hummel, will be matched with green socks and shorts with delivery expected “in the coming weeks” with pre-orders available from midday tomorrow – here.

There is no suggestion as to the design of the away kit but we’d assume that is stripes as well.

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

The design is an echo of the club’s origins in 1895 when Yeovil Casuals, the club’s original name when it was established, turned out in green and white stripes.

The last time stripes were worn by a Glovers’ side was four seasons between 1991 and 1995 following the club’s move to Huish Park but, following relegation out of the Conference in 1995, the kit reverted back to solid green and never returned.

The decision should go down well with most supporters with more than 60% of the 275 who voted in our snap poll on the design over the weekend saying they preferred ‘Classic Stripes’.

The club has also confirmed that Pittards, which describes itself as “makers of beautiful leather goods“, has signed up as the back of the shirt and sleeve sponsor with broadband provider Jurassic Fibre remaining as the main sponsor.

The company, which has its headquarters on Sherborne Road, once employed tens of thousands of people making leather gloves back in the 1800s, giving the club its nickname.

Speaking of the new deal, Chief Executive Reg Hankey said: “Pittards has been part of Yeovil since 1826, first as manufacturer for the glove trade, now as a maker of high performance leathers that are exported to major sporting brands around the world.

“The reason that so many international companies want to use leather made in Yeovil? It’s down to innovation and the passion of our people – much like following football.

“Generations of the same families from have been involved in the Pittards ‘team’ through the years and now as we approach our 200th anniversary it seems only natural that the ‘glovers’ come together with the ‘Glovers’ both on and off the pitch.”

The club has also revealed it will donate unused kits to Saris Addis Sefir, a football team based in suburb of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where Pittards has a tannery and factory.

Tsedenia Mekbib, Managing Director of the company’s operation in Africa, said: “This young team has a great potential and is filled with a huge determination.

“The support of YTFC only adds to their motivation and they are very grateful to the ongoing commitment from Pittards who have seen them develop and grow over the past four years.”

Find out more about the history of stripes in our latest Gloversblog – here.

 

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Although green and white stripes were the original kit design of Yeovil’s first organised football team, Yeovil Casuals, they have not been the choice of design for a large part of the club’s 127-year history.

The history of the club compiled by late chairman Bryan Moore – see here – confirms that when Yeovil Casuals started out playing at the Pen Mill Athletic Ground they were in green and white stripes. They also turned a profit of £11.18s. 1d that season – no pressure, Scott.

The history goes on to add that when Yeovil Casuals became Yeovil Town FC in 1907-08 the stripes were replaced by a solid green kit with white cuffs.

1991-1992. Picture courtesy of Tim Lancaster.

But, as far as the history books appear to show, up until the 1919-20 season Yeovil Town (or Yeovil & Petters United as they were between 1914-1946) side turned out in stripes.

In that season, Yeovil & Petters United opted for white shirts and navy blue shorts, an amalgamation of both the green and white of Yeovil Town and the amber and blue worn by Petters United. They earned the name The Lilywhites.

In 1920, the club moved to Huish, now the site of a Tesco supermarket in Yeovil Town centre, where stripes were not on show. In fact, they did not return until the club moved to Huish Park in 1990.

Having started live at their new home with the same kit as at Huish – white shirt, green shorts and green socks – the stripes were back for the 1991-92 campaign.

The season stripes returned saw Bass brewery as the sponsor and they remained for the following three seasons – with sponsors selected through a draw run by the club’s Commercial Manager, Alan Skirton.

This famously saw Preston Plucknett Post Office as the shirt sponsor when the club faced Arsenal in an FA Cup third round tie in January 1993 which was shown on Match of the Day. You can watch that match – here.

1992-93. Picture courtesy of Tim Lancaster.

Cardboard box manufacturer Martock Watermans was the sponsor of another green-and-white striped design when Steve Rutter’s Glovers pulled off another FA Cup shock the following year.

Andy Wallace was the scorer of the goal for non-League giant-killers Yeovil which put Football League side Fulham out in the first round of the competition in November 1993.

But the 1994-95 season, which saw supermarket chain Tesco which had built a branch on the site of the club’s old Huish stadium a few years prior as sponsor, was the last time a Yeovil side turned out in stripes.

That season was a far from vintage one which Brian Hall, who had returned to take over the club following the surprise departure of Rutter, was removed midway through the season and replaced by ex-Tottenham Hotspur and Rangers defender Graham Roberts.

Kevin Dillon fires home a penalty in the last match of the 1994-95 season, the last time Yeovil Town wore stripes. Picture courtesy of Tim Lancaster.

In his autobiography, Hard As Nails, Roberts says that the club’s green and white kit was one thing he never liked about Yeovil – presumably the similarity with his former Glasgow rivals, Celtic, played a part there.

It was a final day 4-4 draw with Northwich Victoria at Huish Park which saw Roberts’ side relegated out of the then-GM Vauxhall Conference in to regional football and the green and white stripes went with them.

In the summer of 1995, Roberts changed the kit to a solid green and white arguing that stripes made his team look weaker.

The team failed to make it out of the ICIS League Premier Division, the equivalent of today’s National League South, at the first attempt despite their more solid look. The following campaign they turned out in a slightly stripe-ier number and were promoted as champions. Just saying.

Graham Roberts, who did away with the stripes design worn for the previous four seasons, applauds Yeovil fans at the end of the 1995-96 season. Picture courtesy of Tim Lancaster.

Since then it was solid green and white with the emphasis on green – the one exception being the 1998-99 season which featured far more white – until promotion in to the Football League 2003 when the hooped design arrived.

Having been given a number of options, Gary Johnson put the question to the club’s supporters and hoops were adopted by popular demand – well, a majority at least.

They remained until the club were relegated out of the League in 2019 when – after an ill-fated design by Hummel – solid green returned for the past three campaigns.

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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.

Former Wycombe Wanderers striker Malachi Linton has become the second striker to join Yeovil Town this summer.

The 21-year-old, who was released by the Chairboys at the end of last season, had a loan spell in the National League with King’s Lynn Town and was part of the side which won at Huish Park on the opening day of the season.

He scored eight times in 20 league starts on loan in Norfolk, including six in his final ten appearances, before undergoing surgery of a leg injury in April  which kept him out for the rest of the campaign.

Speaking to the club’s website, the former Ipswich Town youngster said: “I’m excited. Yeovil is a big club with a good core of players and staff. I’m looking forward to coming in and adding to that.

“The manager has been a big pulling factor. We’ve had some good conversations. We share similar traits, but the main one being ambition. I’ve played here before, I’ve seen what it’s like, I simply couldn’t refuse.

“I can’t wait to meet up with the boys and get on the pitch.”

He was announced on Friday just 48 hours after the arrival of former Bristol Rovers youngster Ollie Hulbert, who became manager Chris Hargreaves’ first signing when his arrival was announced on Wednesday.

Speaking about the latest arrival, Hargreaves said: “Malachi is a player all of the coaching staff have seen. His goal record for games played at his age in this league is very good.

“He’s a player with an excellent attitude and is someone who is hungry to succeed. He arrives with a strong recommendation from Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth. I think he will be an excellent addition to the squad, and I look forward to working with him.”

Greg Plummer, King’s Lynn reporter for the Lynn News, for his thoughts on the signing of Malachi Linton.

Having been released from the academy at his hometown club Ipswich Town where he played from under-10s to under-16s, Linton was awarded a two-year scholarship in the famous Crewe Alexandra academy.

Having turned out for the Railwaymen at under-23s level, he dropped in to non-League in search of first team football, signing for Isthmian League Lowestoft Town in August 2019, scoring 13 goals in just 10 appearances.

His form earned him at trial at Wycombe and he impressed enough to earn a move at the start of the 2020-21 campaign and spent five games on loan at Slough Town at the end of 2020.

The striker impressed enough to earn a new deal at Adams’ Park before being loaned out to King’s Lynn at the start of last season, making 30 appearances and scoring eight times.

He played just once for Wycombe, a 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa under-23s in the Papa John’s Trophy last August.

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Former Yeovil Town player Jordan Barnett has been given a six-week ban from football and fined after admitting he had been “stupid” in placing bets on football matches.

The 22-year-old, who was one of five players released earlier this month, attended a disciplinary hearing with the Football Association where it was heard he placed 138 bets worth a total of £1,366 over four separate seasons.

Jordan Barnett. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

He is now receiving help from Sporting Chance, the addiction clinic set up by former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams, Barnett used a statement from them in the hearing which said he was showing “marked improvement.”

Barnett’s charge included 32 bets in competitions which the team he was playing competed in, however, the only bet involving a team he played for was a £5 wager on Barnsley to win a match which the player was not involved in.

In the minutes of the hearing, the FA says that Barnett was made aware of the breaches in July 2019 when he was a Barnsley player and went on to make a further 22 bets after this.

When asked why he continued to make bets, he said: “I guess I was not thinking straight and just being stupid, just placing an accumulator bets, single bets, just not thinking what could…..the disciplinaries, what could happen (it was) just stupid of me, really.”

The Commission’s report adds that the player apologised and fully co-operated with the FA’s investigation and gave “candid and complete answers during the interview process.”

It added: “The player expressed that he has struggled with gambling addiction and continues to seek help. 

“He submitted a statement from Sporting Chance who remarked positively on the player and his desire to overcome his addiction. It was said the player was showing marked improvement.”

There is no reference to Yeovil Town at any point in the report.

The Commission’s report concludes that it “did not consider that the integrity of the game was at risk in this matter.”

It added: “The Commission concluded that a reasonable and proportionate fine shall be in the sum of £1,500 with s six-week suspension from football being appropriate.”

From us here at the Gloverscast – and we are sure we speak for all Yeovil Town fans – we would like to wish Jordan well with his treatment and his search for a new club.

He represented us with great passion and commitment and the clear contrition he has shown in his evidence has been noted by the commission.

Anyone who thinks they need to consider their gambling habits or wants to learn more, please visit www.begambleaware.org or call 0808 8020 133.

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Charlie Wakefield has said he is “really excited” to be working under new Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves after committing himself to the club for next season.

The 24-year-old, who was one of the stand-out players making 46 appearances, scoring eight times in all competitions, confirmed he was staying at Huish Park on Friday.

Charlie Wakefield fires in a shot. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In a statement, the former Chelsea youngster said: “I’m really excited to be staying at Yeovil. I’m looking forward to getting back with the boys and working under the new gaffer.

“See you back at Huish Park, Glovers fans!”

Boss Hargreaves, who told the Gloverscast last week that he was keen to keep Wakefield, said he was delighted to add him to “the already strong core of existing players.”

He said: “He’s a player we were very eager to keep hold of, he proved himself at the level last season and he can kick-on again next season.

“Charlie is the sort of player that gets fans excited in the stands, I’m looking forward to working with him.”

It follows a poll run by the Gloverscast which shows 88% of the 300-plus fans who voted wanted the former Chelsea youngster to remain in Somerset – not saying it’s down to everyone showing him some love, but…..

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Under-18s’ goal machine Benjani Junior is a player the club is looking to challenge for a place in the first-team squad next season, according to head coach Matt Percival.

The striker was one of a number of youngsters who was involved as part of the first-team squad in last season’s Somerset Premier Cup campaign and has been prolific for the Under-18s in the Somerset County Youth League (SWCYL).

Benjani Junior warming up during the Somerset Premier Cup tie with Cheddar.
Picture courtesy of YTFC.

He arrived at Huish Park last year following his release from the academy at Portsmouth where his father, Benjani Senior, is a club legend for his form which saw him make a £7.6m move from Fratton Park to Manchester City in 2008

Speaking to the latest edition of the Gloverscast, the coach said the striker’s father, now assistant manager for the Zimbabwe national team, had attended a number of the young Glovers’ matches.

Matt said: “His father has been to a couple of games, but he works for the Zimbabwe FA so he is out in Africa quite a lot.

“When he has been to matches he is really supportive and he was a big part of us getting Benji and getting him involved with the programme.

“He is an absolute machine when he plays for us, I think he scored about 25 goals in about 30 games, so he’s one that will have pressure put him to try and get in to the first team next year.

“Whether it’s the Somerset Premier Cup or the National League, he’s someone we are looking to kick on.”

Benjani is one of nine players from the Under-18s who featured in the SPC campaign along with  Ollie Haste, Korey Andrews, Fin Ridout, Jake Graziano, Mason Hunter, Sam Hodges, Callum Deemer.

They are all graduates of the Elite Player Development Programme (EPDP) which is run in partnership with Yeovil College and play in English Colleges FA (ECFA) South West League (South) in midweek fixtures on the 3G pitch at Huish Park, and represent the club in the SWCYL on Saturdays with games played at the first team’s training pitch at Alvington.

Matt told us that he hopes the arrival of former youth academy coaches Chris Hargreaves and Chris Todd in the club’s first team management set-up would further opportunities for his youngsters.

He said that he is hoping to model the Huish Park set-up on that established by Todd at Torquay United, who won the SWCYL league and cup double last season.

Matt added: “I try and base our model of where we are going on what Chris Todd did at Torquay because their academy closed five or six years ago.

“Where they are now is where I aspire to be. I am sure we will get there, it will take a bit of time, but I am sure we will get there.”

You can hear our chat with Matt in full on the latest podcast, available – here.

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Following the National League’s Annual General Meeting over the weekend, dates for the 2022-23 season have been confirmed, as follows:

Wednesday 6th July, 2022 – National League fixtures released.
Saturday 6th August, 2022 – Opening day of National League season.
Saturday 29th April, 2023 – Final day of National League season.
Play-off dates
Tuesday 2nd May, 2023 – Eliminator A – 5th place v 6th place
Wednesday 3rd May, 2023 – Eliminator B – 4th place v 7th place
Saturday 7th May, 2023 – Semi-final – 2nd place v Eliminator A Winner
Saturday 7th May, 2023 – 3rd place v Eliminator B Winner
Saturday 13th May, 2023 – Play-off final Final

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A proposal to allow National League clubs to field five substitutes from a bench of six has been defeated in a vote at the league’s Annual General Meeting.

According to a report in the Non-League Paper, the motion failed despite voting being 15-9 in favour because all motions require at least 18 clubs supporting it to pass.

No details are given of which clubs voted for and against the change, which former Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll spoke about on a number of occasions during his time at Huish Park when discussing how to introduce younger players in to his first team squad.

However, Glovers’ chairman Scott Priestnall, a member of the National League board, was in attendance.

The report on the AGM also says there was “little appetite for a hard salary cap, but there is for  a soft salary cap or tighter financial regulations” from clubs despite a vote 12 months ago for the move and setting up a working group.

The report adds: “The working groups will continue to explore the issues.” Watch this space for that, but maybe don’t hold your breath.

Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall, who is a member of the National League board.

The AGM also voted Sonia Kulkarni, a non-executive advisor to the board at National League North champions Gateshead, on to the board replacing Richard Simkin of Stockport County, who were promoted to the EFL.

Gloucester City co-chairman Alex Petheram was also voted on to the board as representative for the National League North whilst Dagenham & Redbridge managing director Steve Thompson, and Richard Parsons, director at National League South side Hampton & Richmond were re-elected.

There is no mention of Priestnall in the report so, through the usual process of elimination due to silence, we assume he remains a member of the league’s board.

The first day of the 2022-23 season was confirmed as Saturday 6th August with the final day on Saturday 29th April. The National League promotion final will be played on Saturday 13th May with the venue to be confirmed.

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves and his Torquay United counterpart Gary Johnson are looking forward to facing each other in the National League next season.

The pair are legends at their respective clubs with Hargreaves having been part of the Torquay side which won promotion back to the Football League in 2009, whilst Johnson guided Yeovil out of non-League and in to League One in his first spell as manager before returning to take us to the Championship.

Gary Johnson signing autographs for Yeovil fans on his return to Huish Park for the Legends match.

Speaking to Torbay Weekly, Johnson said: “I’m pleased that Chris has got the job there – I’m sure in his mind he always wanted to get back into it. He’s missed it, but he’s young enough to give it a right go.

“He’s got a bit of work to do there, but when you take over a club, it’s not a bad thing when you’ve almost got to start from scratch.

“There will be a professional rivalry between me and Chris, but there’ll always be a rivalry between the two clubs and everyone enjoys that.”

Hargreaves returned the compliment saying he was “really looking forward” to a return to his old stomping ground with his new club.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to it. I respect Gary for the fantastic job he did here, and for the way he’s turned things round at Plainmoor, but you’ve got to do things your own way.

“Both clubs need to be in the Football League. I played for Plymouth and Torquay, coached at Exeter, managed at Plainmoor and now I’m here, so I want all those old West Country rivalries back, and I’m sure the fans do.

“One thing’s for sure, I’m too long in the tooth, as Gary is, for anything to get personal next season, and that’s a good thing.”

Over the past three seasons since the Glovers dropped out of the League, the two clubs are level after six matches with Darren Sarll’s men getting the better of Johnson’s Gulls twice in 2019-20, each side winning their home match the following campaign, and then Torquay winning home and away last season.

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New Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves has revealed he has spoken with former Glovers’ favourite Ed Upson and loanee Josh Neufville about potential returns to Huish Park.

But, speaking on the latest edition of the Gloverscast the new boss said that neither player had committed to making the move.

Chris Hargreaves.

The new boss worked with Upson, a star of the club’s surge to the Championship from a decade ago, when Hargreaves was on the coaching staff at Bristol Rovers, and has spoken to him since his release by Stevenage.

Hargreaves said: “I know Ed, I worked with him at Rovers and had a great relationship with him and encouraged him to do what he does well.

“We have discussed things, I don’t know at this stage and that is for a number of reasons, one being the number of midfielders we already have.

“I like Ed as a person and a player, so I would never rule anything out. He’s someone I hold in high regard.”

Neufville is a huge fans’ favourite after two impressive loans from Luton Town and a recent social media post hinting at a possible return got fans’ excited about the prospective.

Hargreaves confirmed that he has spoken to him about coming back, but knows the 21-year-old will be looking to catch the eye of Nathan Jones, the ex-Glovers’ defender in charge at the Championship club.

The manager said: “I have spoken to Josh Neufville about a potential return to the club. With him, the manager will want him to go to the next level and he probably wants to show himself in pre-season, but he knows if there’s any glimmer of him coming back, he’s coming back.

“The door is open. The way he performed in some of the game, he looked like he gained from being here, so I would love him to be here.”

The club’s Head of Player Development, Marcus Stewart, is a former Yeovil Town team-mate of both Jones and Luton first-team coach Chris Cohen and Hargreaves was keen to point out that there was a connection there.

He said: “Marcus knows Nathan, I have spoken to Josh, Marcus has spoken to Nathan, so there is dialogue between everyone.

“I speak to Daz (Darren Sarll, Terry (Skiverton), I have spoken to a lot of people about the club and I’m hoping to gain something from everybody.

“I look at what Gary (Johnson) achieved with this club and I have been part of teams like that and what a fantastic thing to turn up and see yourself on the side of the stadium.

“I have to draw off those legends and they are all welcome, I don’t buy in to ‘those are the old times’, come through the door, let’s all be successful together.”

You can listen to the new Glovers’ boss talk about his hopes for the new season, his thoughts on his coaching staff, players and the future of winger Charlie Wakefield on the latest podcast, available – here.

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Yeovil Town have confirmed that season tickets for the 2022/23 season are now on sale with no price increase from the previous campaign.

The details published on Thursday put prices for adults at £320 for the Tamburino and Screwfix Stands with premium seating available for an additional £50.

A season ticket for the Thatcher’s Stand terrace costs £260 for adults.

There are discounts for Seniors, anyone over 65 years old on July 31 2020, an Young Persons, anyone aged 16-23 on July 31, 2020, as well as for military personnel, under-16s and under-12s.

In a statement, the club added: “With the National League back to a full complement of teams, this actually works out as even better value for money, with seven free fixtures in the seated areas and eight in the terrace.

“Season ticket holders also receive priority seats and tickets for cup matches or similar events at Huish Park.“

The prices follow the appointments of assistant manager Chris Todd and Player Development Manager Marcus Stewart yesterday and the extension of a number of players from last season’s first-team squad.

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New Yeovil Town assistant manager Chris Todd believes that following the model of youth development at some other Westcountry clubs will be important at Huish Park.

The former Exeter City and Torquay United defender has arrived as number two to boss Chris Hargreaves, who he played alongside when the Gulls were promoted out of the National League by the play-offs in 2009.

He left his job as Under-18s manager at Plainmoor where he won the South West Counties Youth League title and cup in the same league the Glovers’ Under-18s played in last season.

New Yeovil Town assistant manager Chris Todd talking to the club’s YouTube channel.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel after his announcement, he said: “You want a good base of youth development coming through and the fans would love to see some homegrown talent coming through and go on to a bigger scale, of course.

“It happens at Exeter, Plymouth do it and Torquay are starting to turn that around, but the backbone of a football club is the youth set-up and the community.

“I have experienced that, I know how it works and how to develop players at a young age and hopefully that can materialise on to the pitch with the first team.”

He described the opportunity to link up with Hargreaves as “a no brainer” and said his experiences as first-team manager at Eastleigh and Gloucester City would allow him to support the new boss.

The 40-year-old added: “Chris is very ambitious and so am I, we are two guys who have experienced different things in football through the youth set-up and working as assistants which will hopefully put me in a place where I can help Chris and help this club move forward.

“I have been fortunate to work with some really good managers as a player, but when you are in the hot seat, the assistant is a really important role and it’s important to give the manager your experiences and I hope I will do that well for Chris.

“I’m here to help him and the players, to have that daily camaraderie with them and develop them and try and push them on. We’re all here to be successful and it’s a great club which I believe can go on to bigger and better things.

“I was successful at this level as a player, I know this league and I have seen it develop over the years and get stronger, there’s obviously a lot of money in the league now.

“We can’t hide from that, it’s a big challenge but it’s about player development, working with the boys and hopefully we can get the best out of them.”

Todd’s departure from Torquay was announced hours before his announcement at Huish Park on Wednesday with the statement on his exit speaking of how he had worked closely alongside Gulls’ boss and former Glovers’ legend, Gary Johnson.

As a player, he he made more than 400 appearances in a career which started out at his home town club, Swansea city, before spending four years at Exeter City. He captained the Grecians when they made the National League play-offs in 2006, missing out in the semi-finals.

He went on to join Torquay in 2007 and was diagnosed with leukemia 18 months later which kept him out of the game for three months before returning to be part of the side which reached the play-off final with Todd named man of the match in a 2-0 win over Cambridge, a game where Hargreaves scored the Gulls’ second.

In 2010 he was part of the Newport County side which won the Conference South title whilst on loan from Torquay.

He played for Forest Green Rovers and Eastleigh where he was appointed manager in September 2015, guiding them to their first ever appearance in the FA Cup third round and seventh place, just missing out on a play-off place.

However, he was relieved of his duties after just four games of the following campaign with the club in 16th place.

In October 2018, he was appointed manager at National League South Gloucester City but last less than three months after going 15 games without a win.

In September 2019 he returned to Torquay as manager of the club’s under-18s.

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Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves is expecting to appoint his backroom staff in the coming days.

The manager revealed there would be two appointments who he has worked with in his career arriving at Huish Park.

One hotly-tipped candidate who would fit the bill is ex-Glovers’ striker Marcus Stewart, who was assistant manager at Bristol Rovers when Hargreaves had a role at the Memorial Stadium.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, Hargreaves said he expected the arrivals to bring “experience and different ideas.”

He added: “I know them both very well and have worked with them, so that’s another plus to take some of the workload.

“They know the size of the club and are looking forward to pre-season and get used to the players and the club.”

Stewart, who was part of the Yeovil side which reached the League One play-off final in 2007, was last in the professional game as number two to Darrell Clarke at Walsall, but left by mutual consent after a year saying he did not want to travel from his home in Bristol.

He is presently Head Coach of the Men’s Football team for Maccabi GB which works with the UK’s Jewish community on a range of sporting, educational and well-being activities.

In the interview, Hargreaves also said he had “probably 50 to 100 players” who he was looking at bringing to the club and said he hoped to be able to get “some over the line in the next couple of weeks.”

He said: “Now it’s about getting the right characters in and showing them what this club is about.

“We might not be paying the most money, but we have a history and a club and a fan base to offer them which is attractive.

“I’m hopeful we can get some over the line in the next couple of weeks, but more often than not it will be late because players leave their options open to the last minute.

“I’m hopeful there’s a couple on the horizon.”

In recent weeks, the club has announced a number of members of last season’s squad have committed themselves to Huish Park for the coming campaign with midfielder Matt Worthington the latest to do so.

He has been joined by goalkeepers Grant Smith and Max Evans, defenders Max Hunt and Morgan Williams, midfielder Lawson D’Ath and Josh Staunton and forward Tom Knowles, who have also extended their stays.

Only Staunton, who signed a two-year contract, is understood to have committed to staying longer than the 2022/23 campaign, and Hargreaves suggested he would be looking to keep them for longer.

He said: “It signals their intent because they want to stay. Some lads are contracted (for the coming season) and we have to make sure we either tie them down or get the best out of them for their own careers or for us going forward.

“There will be a few conversations to have in pre-season but I’ve spoken to most of them and they are committed to the cause so roll on pre-season.”

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Josh Neufville. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

A social media post by Luton Town winger Josh Neufville has hinted at a possible return to Yeovil Town.

The 21-year-old, who became a fans’ favourite at Huish Park after two successful loan spells over the past two seasons, posted a selection of his highlights in green and white on his Instagram on Sunday night.

On top of the post is the words: Unfinished business.

In the comments, fellow loanee Jack Robinson replied: “What a player ytfc are getting congrats mate.”

Far be it from us to speculate on possible summer arrivals – see story featuring Morgan Williams’ dog from this time last year – but if arrival of Neufville would be quite a coup for new boss Chris Hargreaves.

If he were to join, he would be the first signing for the manager who has tied up existing squad members goalkeeper Grant Smith, defenders Max Hunt and Morgan Williams, midfielders Josh Staunton and Lawson D’Ath and forward Tom Knowles.

In his first loan spell from Luton, managed by former Yeovil defender Nathan Jones, Neufville turned out 31 times in the second half of last season.

That ended with a horrific ankle injury in the penultimate National League fixture of the season at Altrincham.

Having spent eight months regaining his fitness, he returned on loan in March and went on to make 11 league appearances scoring the second in a 2-1 home win over Stockport County.

He was recalled ahead of the final game at Altrincham with his parent club in the Championship play-offs.

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When the Yeovil Town released list came out, we sprung a snap poll on Gloverscast Twitter to ask you what you thought about the news of the six departures.

More right than wrong or more wrong than right? Well, 179 votes in at the time of writing, the overwhelming consensus (94% – it’s never totally unanimous, is it?) is that Chris Hargreaves has got it right.

I completely agree.

Anyone who listened to our Player Review of the Season (if you haven’t, either read it here or listen to it here) will know we all expected the majority of the six to depart. “So did I,” I hear you cry.

Jordan Barnett. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Perhaps the only surprise for me was Alex Bradley who would seem young enough and talented enough to be worth another chance. Jordan Barnett (age 22) probably falls in to the same bracket, but I suspect for both that a departure was more mutual than one way or another.

Couple this with the signing of Lawson D’Ath for a further year joining the likes of Smith, Hunt, Williams, Staunton and Knowles and you can feel a spine to build around – and, as Ben said the other week, “a spine is important.” True story.

That is a spine with a good amount of experience, a decent amount of talent and some real leadership; and there’s still the possibility of Charlie Wakefield and Matt Worthington joining them. Personally, I would be surprised to see Charlie stay (although I’d love him to do so), but I’d be very happy to keep Worthy.

But, when looking at the stats of the departing six, it became apparent that we are losing (by choice, I know) players who played a lot of games last season. Here’s the stats:

Dale Gorman
Appearances: 47 (NL 40, FAC 5, FAT 2, SPC 0)
Goals: 5

Adi Yussuf
Appearances: 45 (NL 35 FAC 4, FAT 2, SPC 4)
Goals: 10 – yes, two of them were in the Somerset Premier Cup.

Jordan Barnett
Appearances: 45 (NL 37 FAC 4, FAT 1, SPC 3)
Goals: 1 – but what a one!

Alex Bradley
Appearances: 31 (NL 22, FAC 2, FAT 2, SPC 5)
Goals: 1

Reuben Reid
Appearances: 29 (NL 23, FAC 2, FAT 2, SPC 2)
Goals: 3

Mark Little
Appearances: 20 (19 NL, FAC 0, FAT 1, SPC 0)
Goals: 0

I know there’s a lot more to it than statistics and the contribution of the six above has been limited, but Hargreaves is going to need to recruit well to plug these gaps. “He doesn’t need you to tell him that, Coates,” I hear you cry.

So what do we need the most? Attacking talent, pure and simple. If we keep Wakefield (see earlier comment) then I’d like to see more of him as “a silky winger….he’s just what we need” rather than through the middle, but there needs to be someone in the middle of the park to be creative as well.

We asked which position you felt YTFC needed to strengthen in….

D’Ath is great for that, but I suspect he’s unlikely to play the necessary amount of games to make the kind of impact we’d need. And, even if he proves me wrong (please do, Laws!) then we need more than one.

In the season just gone we had a team capable of making the play-offs, but a squad capable of a bang mid-table finish. Which is what we got.

Add in an experienced head who can weigh in with some goals in major competitions and we’ve got something that I think can compete.

When you think about the ‘earners’ we’ve released – Little, Reid, Gorman, all experienced heads who would have been at the higher end of the pay scale – there is money there to invest. Right, Mr Chairman?

I confess Chris Hargreaves was not my choice as manager, but I always believed in giving him a chance to prove me wrong. So far, so good.

Oh, the vote on the released list is up to 186 votes now, but still 96% in favour. Who are the 4%? What more do you want?!

Do you have a view on this? If you’re happy for it to be shared on the website, please send it to us at gloverscast@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can tell us we’re wrong (or right) on our social media channels – find us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Midfielder Dale Gorman has rejected a new contract offer from Yeovil Town and is one of six players who will leave the club.

Strikers Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf, full-back Mark Little and the versatile Jordan Barnett and Alex Bradley have been released by new manager Chris Hargreaves, the club confirmed on Friday night.

Dale Gorman. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Winger Charlie Wakefield and midfielder Matt Worthington have both been offered new contracts and are yet to give the club an answer.

The announcement follows confirmation that playmaker Lawson D’Ath has re-signed for the 2022-23 campaign.

Even before the club officially confirmed Little’s exit, League of Wales side Penybont, who also have ex-Glovers’ loanee Shaun MacDonald, announced he would join them next season.

Northern Irishman Gorman made more than 40 appearances last season having joined from Glentoran, linking up with his old Stevenage manager Darren Sarll. It would be little surprised to see the pair reunited at Woking.

Reid and Yussuf managed just 11 goals between them with Yussuf weighing in with eight (including a questionable one in the derby draw with W*ymouth at Huish Park), but neither have impressed.

Barnett is perhaps a surprise name among those listed although he is still presently the subject of an FA charge having allegedly made 138 bets on football matches over a period of more than three years.

The decisions of both Wakefield and Worthington will be closely watched by Glovers’ fans.

 

Players released :
Reuben Reid
Mark Little
Adi Yussuf
Alex Bradley
Jordan Barnett

Remaining under contract or contract extension triggered:
Tom Knowles
Grant Smith
Max Evans
Morgan Williams
Max Hunt

Contracts offered and accepted:
Josh Staunton
Ollie Haste
Toby Stephens
Lawson D’Ath

Contract offers made:
Matt Worthington (awaiting response)
Charlie Wakefield (awaiting response)
Dale Gorman (rejected and will be departing the club)

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Brendon Owen has stepped down as chairman of the Glovers’ Trust, the supporters’ group has announced.

He has been replaced by Roger Pipe, who previously served as vice-chairman, with Barrie David stepping up to the second in command role.

The announcement comes just days after it was revealed Simul Sports, the group the Trust had publicly backed to take over the club, announced it has ended its interest.

In an update to members, the Trust said: “There has been some changes to the make up of our board.

“Our chairman for many years, Brendon Owen, has decided to step down. We are incredibly thankful to him for his fantastic work and dedication over many years, both for the Trust and the wider fanbase.

“Brendon is committed to giving fans a voice, and that work continues now he has left us.”

The update also confirmed that Ian Perkins had left the board to focus his time on a podcast and website called Gloverscast – sounds like a waste of time to us!

Former Trust board member Steve Seaby has returned to the group to replace Ian until it holds its AGM in October.

The update concludes: “We wanted to let you know that we have reached out to Scott Priestnall for a meeting with the Trust board, so that me might be able to ask some important questions at a crucial time for our club.

“We hope that he will be willing to meet with us and answer those questions. If you have questions or concerns as a member, then please reply to this email and we will be sure to include as many as we can.”