David Coates (Page 178)

Ben Smith has spoken about his regret at leaving Yeovil Town just weeks before Gary Johnson arrived at Huish Park and started a dynasty at the club.

The former Glovers’ midfielder arrived at the club as a teenager in 1998 and was part of the Glovers’ squad which was pipped by Rushden & Diamonds for the Conference title in 2000, before leaving to join Southend United in summer 2001.

He spoke to the Gloverscast about his departure following his former Yeovil manager David Webb to Essex.

Smith said: “I look at that young, vibrant team that Gary put together and I am pretty sure I would have fitted quite well in to that and it would have helped me grow up because of the professionalism he put in place and the way the team grew together.

“I don’t see any reason why I could not have been part of that with Darren (Way) and Lee Johnson in midfield, I look at Paul Terry who went there later and did well, and I could have done that role quite easily.

“But, who knows? Gary Johnson could have said ‘No, you’re not for me’, but if you could have guaranteed me I would stay there.  If I had a one-year contract offer I would have done it 100%, but when you get the opportunity to go to a club in the league above after having a pretty poor to the end of the season, you can’t really turn it down.”

You can hear the full interview with Ben on the latest edition of the Gloverscast including his time playing under David Webb at Huish Park – listen here.

Former Yeovil Town midfielder Ben Smith has said he believes the Glovers would have “comfortably” beaten Rushden & Diamonds to the Conference title in 2000 if manager David Webb had not left.

The former Chelsea player and manager quit in September 2000 to re-join Southend United having overseen the club’s transition from part-time to full-time football.

He left a side which went on to compete with big-spending Rushden under the management of Steve Thompson as caretaker boss and then Colin Addison, but fell six points short.

Speaking to the Gloverscast on an episode due out tomorrow, Smith said: “We had a young team and he (Webb) had us on a tight leash, whereas Colin was a really good coach, great manager good guy but he gave you a lot more freedom.

“When David was in charge, we were the fittest team (in the division). I was the fittest I have been in my whole career, that was the hardest pre-season I have ever done even after playing 17-18 years.

“That just tapered away as the season went on, especially for people like me who were not behaving themselves and getting a bit excited and we just lacked that bit of nous at the end.

“My form tailed off because I was enjoying myself too much and not training as hard as I should have done, and that was my fault not Colin’s, but at that age David Webb was certainly the right man for me at the time.”

Don’t miss the Gloverscast  on Monday to hear Ben talk about his time at Huish Park, stories from his time under David Webb and his thoughts about leaving Huish Park just before Gary Johnson‘s arrival.