Ian Perkins (Page 2)

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It’s the start of the National League season tomorrow and we have asked you what you think of Yeovil Town’s chances for the new season.

A total of 122 of you gave your thoughts (and thanks to everyone who did) and now the 3 Plebs have shared their thoughts, hopes and dreams for this season – but even more importantly, what did you think?

Headlines

  • Final finish: More than half of you (52%) are predicting a play-off finish with a further 44% predicting somewhere between 8th and 12th place, with 2% (presumably W*ymouth fans) expecting a relegation fight.
  • Golden Boot: Stephen Walker (68%) is the clear winner to be top scorer followed by captain Luke McCormick (22%)
  • Player of the Season: McCormick (58%) is the player you expect to be picking up the ‘Glovie’ for our top performer with Mason Obeng (12%) and Brett McGavin (10%) in the runners and riders.
  • Up for the Cups?: The most common prediction (42%) is exiting the FA Cup in the second round, but expectations are high for the FA Trophy with a 38% expecting a quarter-final place. You couldn’t care less about the Somerset Men’s Premier Cup with 59% of you thinking we’ll not win it.
  • League Ups and Downs: Carlisle United (35%) are your title tips followed by Boreham Wood (22%) and Southend United (18%), while Hornchurch (45%) your overwhelming favourites for the drop.

If you prefer reading these things in graph form, you can find these below, and without further ado, here’s out expectations for the 2026-27 season…….

Ian Perkins

Thoughts on Summer:

When have we ever been the club that’s got its business done early? To go into the first day of pre-season with an actual squad without the need for a massive amount of recruitment was a brilliant step change. We feel more ready. Everything’s felt quite strategic and whisper it, I think we might know what we’re doing. We’ve retained the ones I wanted us to, and based on what the ‘experts’ are saying, we’ve recruited really well.

What are you most excited about?

To see a Billy Rowley and Darren Simpson team. Clearly we didn’t see that last year. Our management team inherited a burning building, a squad put together by multiple managers and we muddled our way through to the end of the season securing safety. So, with recruitment done early, a proper pre-season and ideas starting to come through, I’m most excited to see the ideas that Rowley and Simpson have, come through on the pitch.

Who is our key player?

Luke McCormick. Without his goals last season the picture would have been very different. We missed him when he was injured. He’s our captain, he’s fully fit and he’s going to be absolutely crucial to our success. Don’t fall in love with footballers…

Captain fantastic Luke McCormick is Ian’s key player. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

Who will be our breakout star?

There’s something about Mason Obeng that I like. He’s found some decent areas in matches during pre season and his goal against Merthyr was lovely. It’s a big jump for him from last season but I’ve got faith in the manager’s judgement.

Where will we finish?

If we can start strong and get points on the board early then we have to believe in a play off push, but its a new squad learning a new way and those ideas will take time to become instinctive so we’ll see some growing pains. I think we might fall just short, but it will be close.

Ben Barrett

Thoughts on Summer:

It’s been really refreshing to have all the hard work of recruitment done early.

We have a couple of actual strikers, we have experience at the back and some class in midfield, quite how it all comes together remains to be seen, but it’s so nice to not head into the new season with so many unanswered questions and with at very least an idea of how we’re going to be going about things.

What are you most excited about?

Believing again.

When we dropped to the National League South, a successful season was expected, but for the years either side, we’ve been forced to find hope and belief with the straws being clutched at on many an occasion.

We shouldn’t (!) have four managers again and we can believe, through everything we’ve been told that we’re going to give it a go. I can’t wait to believe.

Who is our key player?

Luke McCormick is too obvious, although we absolutely need him on the pitch.

Goals are the main difference between 17th and 7th and that means there is something to be expected of Walker and Spasov amongst others.

If Ste Walker gets going early, I’m really excited about his chances of scoring goals this season. It feels harsh to put any level of expectancy on his shoulders, but as our main goal scoring acquisition, he is, almost by default, our key player.

Ben is expecting a big season from new goalkeeper Jos Barker. Picture courtesy of Jayden Tate/Tate’s Photography.

Who will be our breakout star?

Jos Barker. Goalkeeper’s Union in full force here, but I wanted to get a bit of backing in early. Untried at this level, yes. Young, yes. But of all the goalkeepers in the mix this summer the manager could have gone for dozens more ‘obvious’ options, but he clearly backs his ‘keeper and that is all I need to get behind him too.

Where will we finish?

I have NO IDEA! But I can narrow it down to top half… actually top ten… top… seven??? Maybe not. If you’re asking me for a specific number, I’ll go 8th. But I think it’ll be closer to the top than the bottom.

David Coates

Thoughts on Summer:

Wow! Getting our business done early is not something we have become accustomed to at Yeovil Town, but this season we did it. Even before we get started on the new arrivals, we have kept a lot of quality from last season in the shape of Luke McCormick, Brett McGavin and James Daly and that gives us a good base to build on.

What are you most excited about?

The unknown quantity of what this team is what excites me about this season. I know every non-League expert with a social media account is tipping us for a top seven finish because of our transfer business, but the truth is there is a lot we have not seen many of these players. But, there is the potential to a side which can really leave a mark on this division.

We saw last season that dominating possession is at the heart of what a Billy Rowley team is all about, I just hope that we can get it out to the attacking talent that we have in the side. If we see attacking football, played with real purpose and coupled with a passion, I am happy for this season to be building for the future.

The promise of Stephen Walker getting goals this season has got Dave’s interest. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz

Who is our key player?

Stephen Walker is one of those unknown quantities which I mentioned just now – but what potential he has. YouTube scouting is one thing, but we have seen in pre-season that this lad has an eye for goal and with full-time coaching and everything that goes with it, he could be a special talent.

Who will be our breakout star?

One player who have not seen play a second in green-and-white is Joe Haigh, but there is no doubt that there would have been plenty of clubs at our level and above who would have wanted to sign him this summer. If he can get back to full fitness and showing the type of form which made him such a hotly-rated talent, he could be the one we’re all talking about.

Where will we finish?

I’m not going to follow the non-League experts and say we fall short of the play-off places in ninth place having flirted with the play-offs for some of the season. For me, this would be progression from where we have finished in the past couple of seasons and set us up nicely for next year.

Your predictions – but in graph form…..

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On the eve of our opening away day against Scunthorpe United, we are thrilled to welcome the Manager Billy Rowley and Assistant Manager Darren Simpson to the Gloverscast for the first time.

As we gear up for a highly anticipated National League campaign, Billy and Darren sit down with us to discuss everything from their tactical philosophy and summer recruitment to the importance of building a unified, ambitious dressing room.

Here is what you can expect in this week’s episode:

  • The Managerial Dynamic: Billy and Darren pull back the curtain on their day-to-day partnership, detailing how they divide training sessions, handle tough player conversations and if they ever disagree with one another…

  • Tactical Philosophy & Identity: A deep dive into the style of football the duo wants to bring to Huish Park. Expect insights on possession-based control, aggressive attacking, and the non-negotiable trait of being incredibly hard to beat.

  • Summer Recruitment Strategy: With 15 new faces in the squad, the management team discusses the deliberate strategy behind the overhaul.

  • Pre-Season Reflections: An honest assessment of the pre-season campaign. Billy and Darren discuss the physical demands, the challenge of embedding new tactical ideas, and the process of building team chemistry.

  • Building Character: Why assembling a squad of players with high ambition, character, and a genuine desire to climb the leagues is just as important as technical ability on the pitch.

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We’re back from a month off over the summer – and we’re back with a bang!

If there is someone who has had a front row seat in Yeovil Town’s history in recent years, it is Matt Worthington.

Now you can hear it all in his own words:

From arriving on loan and quickly dropping out of the Football League;

Adapting to life back in non-League and the challenges of the COVID pandemic;

Off-the-field shenanigans – takeovers, failed takeovers, not getting paid and a managerial merry-go-round to make your head spin;

But also amazing matches, silencing the crowd at Weymouth, some special team-mates and, of course, THAT trophy lift.

It’s a long episode, but there was a lot to talk about!

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Before last season I said I wanted to club to get the recruitment done early. For too long we’ve been the club that waits it out for the players who don’t get picked up. For too long we’ve felt like the last resort for players.

We’ve smashed that perception to pieces so far with a flurry of daily announcements and a selection of signings that have whet the appetite for the new season – and we’re not even back at pre season yet.

As expected – and possibly spoiled by his former club – Billy Rowley has crashed Walton and Hersham’s league winning party to bring in three players that he feels can make the step up in Mason Obeng, Jos Barker and Johl Powell. That’s provided us with depth in midfield and in goal, although I will continue to pine for the return of Jed Ward. It’s also added three players by who know the manager, know the systems that can contribute pretty quickly.

We’ve also bolstered the ranks with players who “know the level” (and above) too. Zain Westbrooke, Archie Davies, Hayden Muller and Joe Gubbins have all arrived with pedigree and in their prime years. They’ve also been drawn into the club by the project too, so whatever we’re telling these players that makes us a destination is fine with me. We’ve also bolstered the front line with Ste Walker from Scarborough. A versatile forward, who Yeovil legend Kevin Gall talked about on this week’s Gloverscast. Walker knows where the back of the net is, and from what Gally has told us, can do a bit of everything.

The promise of more to come from the club’s Chief Operating Officer, Nicholas Brayne, has seen Jordan Norville-Williams and Jack Kingdon arrive and the rumour mill keeps on going. Chatter of Tom Knowles (#DFILWF) returning to Huish Park – following the administrative error that saw him depart Forest Green Rovers – seemed fanciful and was ruled out by our HR guy on Twitter. It would be an unbelievable coup but, Knowles is comfortably a League Two player and I have no doubts clubs will throw money at him to bring him in. There’s a host of Twitter transfer rumour aggregators who are stirring the pot as always.

We’re now up to 18 squad members with plenty of depth in defence. I think we’re still light in the middle of the pitch and up top and will continue to campaign for Jed Ward’s return between the sticks. But, huge credit to all involved because we feel more prepared than we have in years and our clearly investing for a competitive season.

Finally, a shout out to the club for making sure these recruits have all been unveiled at Huish Park with scarves and accompanying content. One of the many (in my opinion) downsides of taking training away from Yeovil was that anyone who signed during last season’s lacklustre recruitment drive was given a scarf and photographed in front of generic gym entrance. These signings already feel more like ours.

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We’re happy the club has pledged to carry on with the Ciderspace name, it’s absolutely the right thing to do. But, Ciderspace was famously and fiercely independent, with no ads, no sponsors or any of that guff that modern local media depends on.

We think to retain the Ciderspace name and slap a brand in there (if one comes along) is not in keeping with the spirit of it’s legacy.

This all stemmed from two things, wanting to preserve the Ciderspace Fan Zone name and wanting to club together to raise the money to support the club, after all that’s what we are all here for. So, with that partially done, we’re going to continue to try and reach the target of £6k.

Click here to donate