David Coates (Page 186)

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Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall has confirmed he has been “approached by a group to buy the club.”

In a lengthy series of posts on his Twitter account, he also confirmed that he was been speaking with “various people” about investing in the club and land around Huish Park.

The tweets followed questions from supporters about the creation of a new business, Max Mae Limited, at registered at the stadium.

In other tweets, the chairman told supporters the new business was not linked to his plans club the club – see here.

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Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall has insisted a business  specialising in “development of building projects” he has set up at Huish Park has no connection to plans for the club.

In a tweet, the owner insisted Max Mae Limited, which was incorporated on June 28 with a registered address at Huish Park, “has nothing to do with Yeovil” and said he was “in advanced discussions with investment partners.”

In a series of tweets responding to fans’ comments, the chairman insisted “the club is not folding, we’ve come through a very tough period (with) almost no revenue for a year.
He said the decision to close a correspondence address he held in London and register businesses at Huish Park has been done as it was “convenient” and insisted Jed McCrory had no connection with the club.
The chairman added:  “However, there are those that again (wish) to (bring) Jed McCrory into this, not sure what he’s done to deserve this (to be honest).”

In a statement of incorporation published in the filings, it was also statement adding: “On incorporation, there will be someone who will count as a Person with Significant Control (either a registerable person or relevant legal entity (RLE)) in relation to the company.”

Replying to supporters on Twitter, club director Glenn Collis insisted he had the club’s best interests at heart.

https://twitter.com/gcollisytfc/status/1409574928135995395?s=21

In response, the Glovers Trust issued a statement saying: “We acknowledge the recent developments of the creation of a new company at Huish Park by Scott Priestnall and Jed McCrory.
“We urge the owner of the club to provide supporters of Yeovil Town FC with some clarity as to his future plans.”

In his last public statement in February, Priestnall described McCrory as “a friend who has offered to introduce a potential investor”, adding: “I will also confirm, although it has been incorrectly reported that I have been introduced to a potential takeover through Jed McCrory, Jed has introduced a potential investor who is known to some supporters, although I haven’t actually spoken with them yet or received evidence of funds.

“For some reason, there are a few on social media that want to keep dragging Jed into takeover/ownership talks.  Jed is a friend who has offered to introduce a potential investor.”

In May, South Somerset District Council confirmed its offer to purchase Huish Park and surrounding land from the club and lease it back remained on the table.

In a statement, the council said: “The council’s offer remains available if the owners wish to take it up at the end of this period. Ultimately, the final decision and timing sits with the owners, therefore the council cannot provide any more detail at this time.”

So what does this all mean? It would seem that the chairman and Mr McCrory have taken an interest in “the development of building projects” – where exactly the projects they are interested in would be a question for them.

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Jordan Barnett has become the latest defensive addition to Yeovil Town’s squad after the left-back joined on a permanent contract.

The 21-year-old, who scored a sensational goal for Notts County against the Glovers’ back in March, was one of six players released from our National League rivals at the end of last season.

He has also operated further forward and in a central midfield role for Notts County and Oldham Athletic and fills a void left by the departures of Carl Dickinson and Michael Kelly, who both played on the left side of defence last season.

Jordan’s early career saw him flit between professional and non-League having started in the academies at both Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley before he was released at 15.

Jordan Barnett during his time with Oldham Athletic.

He dropped down to Northern Counties East League side Penistone Church where he impressed enough to be picked up by Premier League Burnley and then Barnsley but after two years in the professional game he was back in non-League this time with Pontefract Colleries.

He spent a couple of months there before Oldham Athletic gave him his first taste of League action signing for them in September 2002.

He ended up making 24 appearances in all competitions for the League Two side up until mid-January this year when his contract expired and he was picked up by Notts County to support their promotion push.

Jordan turned out 13 times for Notts including as a substitute in the National League play-off semi-final defeat to Torquay United earlier this month.

Welcome to Huish Park, Jordan!

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Hugo Rodrigues has revealed former Yeovil Town manager Gary Johnson came to his home in Portugal to try and get him to re-sign.

The giant defender had seen out his contract at the end of the 2003-04 season, the club’s first in the Football League, and returned to his home country.

Johnson met with Rodrigues and his family ahead of going to watch Latvia draw 0-0 with Germany in Porto during Euro 2004.

Speaking to the Gloverscast in an interview which will be broadcast on Monday, he said: “I remember sitting down outside my parents’ place and saying ‘Gaffer, thankyou for everything, but I can’t go back.’

“It is not about money, I just can’t (leave my family), and he said to me ‘I understand, I have seen you and your family and I understand your decision.'”

Hugo, now 41, spent just one season in England playing 34 times for Yeovil before returning to Portugal where he retired from football.

Don’t miss tomorrow’s Gloverscast to hear our interview in full with Hugo.

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New Yeovil Town goalkeeper Grant Smith has said he is hoping to come “drive the team on” to success in the National League next season,

The stopper was confirmed on a one-year contract following his release by rivals Chesterfield at the end of last season.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, the 27-year-old said: “For me personally, I want to get as many games as I can and hopefully stay fit for the whole season, and hopefully drive the team on.”

The keeper kept 10 clean sheets in 18 appearances for Chesterfield last season and is hoping to bring that confidence with him to Huish Park.

He added: “I am coming in with a positive mindset, I am really happy to be here and I just can’t wait to get going.

“I am a bit of everything. I like to be dominant from crosses, I like to think one of my strong points is my distribution as well as being able to save the ball.”

Smithis the third signing of the summer for boss Darren Sarll having brought in defender Morgan Williams and midfielder Charlie Wakefield.

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Where are they now? Yeovil Town manager Darren Way's first teammates at Huish Park - Somerset LiveBen 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.

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The average travel time of a Yeovil Town supporter reduced dramatically as Hartlepool United saw off Gary Johnson’s Torquay United on penalties in a dramatic play-off final at Ashton Gate.

The Poolies won it 5-4 on penalties with Yeovil-born midfielder  Matt Buse missing the all-important spot kick for the Devon side.

The game went to extra time after Torquay goalkeeper Luca Covolan scored a dramatic equaliser in the 95th minute

Hartlepool had looked like they were destined to win it in ordinary time after Luke Armstrong, who is on loan from Salford City, scored his 15th goal for the club  gave them a 35th minute lead.

The North East side were on top for the majority of normal time but as the clock began to tick down, Johnson’s men began to lay siege on the Pools’ goal.

It looked as if they had weathered the storm  until in the fifth minute of injury time when a high ball in to the box was met by a glancing header from the Brazilian Covolan, who had gone forward for an earlier set piece.

In the shoot-out, neither side scored the first two spot kicks with Covolan saving both Hartlepool’s opening two efforts.

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Former Yeovil Town midfielder Ed Upson has signed a one-year contract at League Two side Newport County.

The 31-year-old, who was part of the Glovers’ side which won promotion to the Championship in 2013, was released by Bristol Rovers following their relegation to League Two last season.

He links up with another former Yeovil Town midfielder Matt Dolan at the South Wales club who has lost Josh Sheehan, who had a spell on loan at Huish Park, and Josh Labadie from the side which reached the League Two play-off final in May.

Follow the progress of former Yeovil players with the Gloverscast  Where are They Now? tracker – here.

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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.

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Winger Charlie Wakefield has become Yeovil Town‘s latest signing after arriving on a one-year deal.

The 23-year-old was released by National League rivals Bromley at the end of the season having started the campaign at Wealdstone.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the former Chelsea youngster said: “I’m just excited to show the fans, what I’m capable of doing, what I can offer the team.

“I’m a unique player because I’ve been blessed with pace, and I want to be direct which will excite people. So, I’m looking forward to seeing the fans and them seeing me play.”

It is not the first time Wakefield has linked up with Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll. Sarll signed the then-19-year-old on a season long loan from Chelsea at the start of the 2017-18 season, but a recurring muscle injury meant he did not make an appearance for the Hertfordshire side.

The following year he had a spell in League One at Coventry City making eight substitute appearances before being released in October 2020 when he joined Wealdstone.

He turned out twice against the Glovers in the 2020-21 campaign, making his Wealdstone debut in the 2-2 draw at Huish Park in October and then coming on for the last five minutes of Bromley’s 2-1 win at Huish Park in March.

He was released by Bromley earlier this month following the expiry of his contract.