It’s been a busy week at Huish Park as the PR blitz is in full flow. Mike Hudson joins Ian and Ben on this episode to chat about the two ‘Meet the Owners’ events which took place last week and how we’re feeling after a positive week.
Three more Cs can be added to cautious optimism I’ve felt since Prabhu Srinivasan and family took over at Huish Park. Competitive. Calmness. Community.
On a sweltering evening in the Alec Stock lounge, Glovers fans showed up in their numbers to hear from Prabhu, Bhavna, Stuart Robins, Nicholas Brayne and Mark Cooper.
There was no bombastic statement of intent. The messaging around “no one hit wonder” season continued. Everything feels measured, rational and realistic. No over-promising and under-delivering. No granular detail was given, but clearly the priority is to return the stadium and land back into club ownership. Owning our home is important and that was clearly understood. The difference this time round, I felt, is that there’s a plan, even if the cards are being held close to the chest. There’s a dialogue with the council and meetings today. If I can throw another C in, collaboration is the only way this gets done smoothly and cleanly.
Calmness will, hopefully, transfer to the pitch. Mark Cooper, who quipped “it’s usually the owners who see off the manager”, had the handcuffs taken off yesterday and was able to start talking to players. He alluded to small squad of quality, supplemented by loans was the only way for the club and that he’d love to have a squad of 25 contracted players who all lived in Yeovil – but that it just wasn’t realistic at this time. He also addressed the training ground move citing injuries to Jake Wannell, Morgan Williams, Alex Whittle and Aaron Jarvis and that the players trained on grass once over a period of eight weeks because of waterlogged pitches. He didn’t describe the budget as the best, but said it would allow the club to be competitive.
Nicholas Brayne, whose role at the club is as Chief Strategy Advisor, spoke well and in a way that I’ve not heard anyone at Yeovil Town talk in my time as a supporter. He declared that the club was open for business, urging local businesses and sponsors to come in and have a conversation. This was after a previous sponsor had said they had been priced out last season, because of an increase in pricing of a box and advertising hoardings costing nearly £20,000.
Prabhu, enjoying a Guinness, spoke of the energy he felt in the Thatcher’s Stand during the Sutton United fixture and how he wanted to stand in their rather than be confined to a box. He spoke fondly of the area and his visits to the Digby Tap in Sherborne. He mentioned how his son, Sahil (who was unable to attend due to visa issues) is a huge football fan and has been critical of how American ownership has impacted English football. What came through to me, was that this is a long-term project that could leave a lasting impact on the community of Yeovil and the surrounding areas.
After the trauma of the last five years, you cannot blame any Yeovil supporter for feeling trepidation, suspicion and unease. We have been through the wringer, gas lit by successive ownerships with a chaotic stewardship in the middle of it. But, for the first time in a long time, it feels like we have professionalism, a vision and a strategy for the football club. Right now it’s mostly words, but we are starting to the see actions. Key to it all though, getting it right on the pitch. Now, let’s sign some players.
On today’s episode of the Gloverscast, we’re delighted to welcome Yeovil Town’s Executive Chairman, Stuart Robins, to the show to give us some insight into the last few weeks, the future and what’s next at Huish Park.
It’s a new era at Yeovil Town. Mr Prabhu Srinivasan and family have taken over at Huish Park. Now the dust has settled, Ian, Ben and Dave are back to chat through last week’s announcement and the retained list. Plus, we take your questions.
Yeovil Town have confirmed the completion of the takeover of the club by Inflection Holdings, the office of Dubai-based businessman, Prabhu Srinivasan.
Mr Srinivasan, who becomes owner and Chairman, has purchased all the shares from the Hellier Trading Group, owned by former chairman Martin Hellier, in Yeovil Town Holdings Ltd and is now the majority shareholder of the club. Stuart Robins will becoming Executive Chairman of the club. Mr Srinivasan will be joined by his wife, Bhavna, and son, Sahil, at the club, forming a “dynamic and dedicated ownership group committed to the club’s future development.”
The group has also pledged to host a meet the owners event in June, with details to be confirmed.
Reflecting on his investment, owner and chairman Mr Prabhu saud: “Investing in Yeovil Town Football Club is a moment of immense pride for us. This club’s rich history and potential inspired us, and we are committed to being a responsible steward as we embark on an exciting new journey together. We are focused on making a positive impact on players, fans, employees and the entire community.”
Mr Prabhu who attended Yeovil Town’s home match against Sutton United, added: “Despite the result, I witnessed the fans’ outstanding passion. In the middle of the game, I moved to the Thatcher’s Stand to be amongst the fans. I really appreciate and respect the terrific support the team enjoys from its wonderfully loyal fanbase, and I am looking forward to meeting them in the coming weeks! I am excited and proud to lead our unique club into a bright, new, stable future. We are committed to delivering success for you — our amazing supporters, key stakeholders, and the wider Yeovil community.”
Executive Chairman Stuart Robins expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “We are thrilled to welcome Prabhu and his family to our club on this landmark day. Having spent considerable time with Mr Prabhu, I am confident Yeovil Town is in great hands. I’m excited to commit to the long-term vision we have co-created, centred on developing and growing the club for our wonderful supporters.”
A statement from the club added this background to Yeovil’s new ownership group: Mr Prabhu is a multi-faceted global leader and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in banking, retail, technology, travel, real estate, e-waste and wellness. More importantly, he has built one of the largest multi-sports youth platforms in India and the Middle East. His wife, Bhavna, is a seasoned leadership coach and business strategist, widely recognised for her contributions to entrepreneurship and wellness integration. Their son, Sahil, has a deep-rooted passion for football. He has cultivated extensive expertise, having trained in Spain, Germany, the UK and UAE under prestigious league clubs. He has designed proprietary programmes for youth training. His academic focus in sports science at New York University strengthens his understanding of football analytics and strategy. The family now resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ian, Ben and Dave thought it would be good to catch up, even if there’s not that much to catch up on.
It’s that time of year where we ask Yeovil Town supporters for their thoughts on the season that’s just gone.
As with the previous surveys, this is on Google Forms and is a mix of multiple choice and linear scale (1-7 of course) questions about issues on the pitch, off the pitch and the future. There is also an optional section about the Gloverscast that we’d be very grateful if you’d complete it.
The survey will be open for four weeks and will close on Tuesday 17th June. We’ll go through the responses and share them on the website like we did for last year’s survey.
We wrap the 2024/25 season with the Glovies! There’s a bit of Aldershot chat, plus we take your GCQs.
Thanks for all the support this season.
On this episode of the Glovers Past, we’ve gone down under to speak to a former Yeovil defender who enjoyed four years at Huish Park. Scott Guyett signed in 2004, winning League Two and was an important part of Russell Slade’s playoff side. Enjoy
