Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 363)

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On today’s episode of the Gloverscast, Ian and Ben are joined by YTFC’s Strength and Conditioning coach Scott Wickens!

Scott takes us through what pre-season looks like at Huish Park, how his role has developed and gives us a fascinating insight into the level of detail that the club are going into with the squad’s preparation for the season ahead.

Plus, we talk Dorchester, Sam Pearson, Weston-super-Mare and take your GCQs.

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Yeovil Town 1 Newcastle Utd 2 – Saturday 4th August 1990

Yeovil finally completed their long proposed move to a new stadium at Houndstone in 1990, after discussions had begun as early as 1985.

As we all know the old Huish ground was sold to Tesco, land was purchased from the army and the new stadium became one of the first to open after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, with no pens or fences in sight.

At the time, the Glovers were experiencing a relatively prosperous time on the pitch under the old school management of Brian Hall, having won the Isthmian League in 1988 and finishing 7th in the Conference in 1990. They finished that season winning the Bob Lord Trophy and signed off their time at the historic old ground with a 1-0 win against Telford, with the last goal at the ground being scored on a scorching hot day by Neil Cordice.

The opening match at Huish Park took place on Saturday 4th August against Newcastle United. The Glovers lost 2-1, but did at least score their first goal at their new home on that day, thanks to a smart finish from Andy Wallace. At that time Newcastle were in the second tier, experiencing a few years in the doldrums before their revitalisation in the mid-90’s under Kevin Keegan. Keegan arrived in 1992, leading them to promotion to the Premier League the following season where they would soon challenge Man Utd for the title in 1996 and 1997. However a team slightly less illustrious than the one that would contain the likes of Alan Shearer, David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla were the visitors to Huish Park, with veterans Mark McGhee and John Anderson scoring the Magpies’ goals, before Wallace reduced the arrears in the second half.

The first competitive game took place on 18th August 1990, a Conference fixture against recently relegated Colchester. The Glovers won 2-0, with goals from Mickey Spencer and Peter Conning. Colchester’s stay in the Conference was a short one, finishing 2nd in 1991 and winners in 1992 – with 94 points, but only goal difference ahead of Wycombe. The Glovers were mid-table in their first few years at Huish Park, peaking at 4th in 1992/93.

The attendance for the Newcastle game was 5,093, which stood as a record until the visit of Hereford in the second round of the FA Cup in 1992 brought in over 8,000. This was beaten when the marginally more attractive fixture of Arsenal in the following round set a new record of 8,612 which stood until the home terrace was expanded and covered, attracting 8,868 against Rushden in 2001.

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Yeovil Town have confirmed the signing of Sam Pearson from Bristol City on an initial one-month loan.

The attacker has made five appearances for Bristol City in the Championship since debuting in March 2021 and spent time on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle earlier this year.

The 20-year-old Welshman has also been capped by by Wales at an U21 level.

Image courtesy of BCFC.co.uk

Speaking to YTFC.net, Pearson said: “I’m delighted to be here. I got a text the other week about coming here, now it’s about trying to play in as many games as I can and helping the team progress. 

“The first time I spoke to the manager was yesterday, he called me when I was having my haircut! He sounds nice and willing to help me progress, so that’s why I’m here!”

Chris Hargreaves adde: “Sam is an exciting young player who adds a new element to our squad. He comes from a strong background at Bristol City and already has first team experience under his belt.”

Pearson also made 17 appearances for Bath City in the 19/20 season, before a loan at W*ymouth at the start of 20/21 season which was cut short due to the travel between Cardiff and W*ymouth. (Of all the places to commute to!)

Speaking at the time, then ‘muff manager Brian Stock said: “He’s a young lad [he was 18 at the time], he lives in Cardiff. He’s found the travelling and commitment at his age a bit of a struggle. It’s proving too much too soon for him. He’s an exciting prospect and I’m upset to lose him.”

Good luck at Yeovil Town Sam – let’s hope we have you for more than a month!

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Words courtesy of Mike West from the Yeovil Town FC Heritage Society on Facebook.
 
I am sure many have walked or driven past these old wrought iron gates adjacent to the Pen Mill Hotel without really giving them a second thought.
However, their historical interest to Yeovil Town Football Club and the town in general is enormous.
 
Back in 1895, the gates were put in place by the committee of Yeovil Casuals Football Club as the entrance to what was then the club’s home ground the Pen Mill stadium. For nearly 130 years they’ve stayed there, as an unofficial monument to what was the dawn of the town’s football club.
 
Today, I contacted someone with an interest of getting them protected and maybe a plaque installed to highlight their significance to Yeovil Town FC and the area in general.
 
I have been informed that the land is looking to be purchased by the Town Council. They in turn are looking to develop the land into a small park, which of course will be nice, however it seems the gates will be removed and scrapped!
 
Now, for me personally and anyone with a love for the heritage of our great club this would be a travesty.
 
I am told the person to contact at the council to demonstrate the importance of the gates and why they should be saved is Amanda Card, the Town Clerk.
 
I urge everybody to email Ms.Card, as I have today, with your concerns regarding the gates and why they need to be preserved. Ms.Card’s email is
 
If you would like you copy and paste the following to email to Ms. Card:
 
 
Dear Ms.Card,
 
Please forgive me in writing to you, however I have been informed that you are the person that I needed to contact.
 
Apparently, the local council is planning to build a small park adjacent to the Pen Mill Hotel in Yeovil. Which, of course will be a lovely addition to the area.
 
However, I would like to bring to your attention to the wrought iron gates that are situated on that site (See attached photo).
You may not be aware, however the gates have a major local significance. They were originally put in place in 1895 by the committee of Yeovil Casuals Football Club, today’s Yeovil Town football club. Put in place as the entrance to the Pen Mill stadium, the original home of Yeovil Town FC. Standing for 130 years, they are the last remnants of the stadium and have major interest for the fans of our town football club, and football fans in general.
So, with this in mind, myself and many Yeovil football fans would not want to see them scrapped in anyway. They really do hold a very important part of the history of the club and town in general.
 
Please could you inform me of your plan for the gates?
Yours faithfully
 

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What do you do when none of the Gloverscast trio are at a game? You put out a call to arms.

Thankfully, Elliot from our friends at WeLoveYouYTFC was there at the Avenue Stadium and he had five thoughts he’d like to share with you on the 0-0 draw.

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Signings are needed. It’s no secret we have a small squad, however we need more bodies, otherwise we may have a real issue with squad depth this season. Last night, for instance, we had a couple of injuries and all of a sudden players were having to play out of position, Charlie Wakefield a prime example of this. Which brings me to my next point..

Charlie Wakefield is wasted at right wing back. Charlie was at his best last season when given license to run at defenders, and in a way, neglecting any sort of defensive role. Which makes you question where he fits into a formation with 5 at the back? You’d imagine Hargreaves and co. have a plan for him, and hopefully that isn’t back up right wing back.

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

We look solid defensively. We may have a new manager this season, but the personnel defensively remains largely the same as last season, and it shows. We look very good defensively, it is clear to see the centre back trio of Morgan Williams, Josh Staunton & Max Hunt have played with each other for a while now.

Sam Perry is a very good signing. In previous friendlies against Exeter and Plymouth respectively, Sam Perry, alongside the majority of our team, hasn’t seen as much as the ball as he’d perhaps like, but tonight he excelled with the ball at his feet. Walsall fans evidently see something in him, and rightly so.

Sign up number 24 + 25 (Trialist b + c). Out of all the trialists we have seen in action over pre-season, these two, for me, have shown the most talent, and are the most deserving of a contract. Trailist b played at left wing back on Tuesday night, and showed pace and skill, as did trailist C. As previously referenced, we need more bodies, and I’d like to see these two signed up.

We’re you at the game? What did you think?

Thanks to Elliot for helping us out on these five conclusions.

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With one pre-season fixture left to play before we travel to Scunthorpe next Saturday, Chris Hargreaves’ Yeovil side have had goalless draws with Taunton and Dorchester, a 1-1 draw with Exeter and lost 2-0 to Plymouth.

After last night’s draw, there was concern from some on social media about the lack of goals, confidence that we’re strong at the back and general dismissal that nothing matters until the real season kicks off next weekend.

But, what do you think? As the new season draws closer, are you optimistic about the Glovers’ chances? Let us know if you agree with the statement on the poll below and leave your comments below.

Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

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Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves

Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves has called for more belief in front of goal as the Glovers played out a 0-0 draw with Dorchester Town.

Speaking after the final whistle, he told YTFC.NET he saw plenty of positives, but wanted to see more from his attackers.

“You’ve got to score when you’re on top, in any game, whether it’s National League, Football League or against Dorchester tonight. We didn’t quite have that killer instinct.”

“First half was positive, second half we made lots of changes, rested people and it become scrappy.”

“I’m not concerned about the second half as much, but if we take our chances in the first half it becomes a different game.”

Hargreaves said he was happy with the fitness levels and the return of Lawson D’Ath in the side returning under ‘managed minutes’ with the first game against Scunthorpe in mind.

However, he wanted to see more ‘belief’ going forward.

“Negatives are, just a bit more belief for our attacking players in that final third to be a bit more selfish, the boys are working their socks off”

The gaffer confirmed that he made changes to ‘protect’ a few of his smaller squad and that Tom Knowles and Chiori Johnson were missing with slight ‘tweaks’.

The gaffer said they’d be working on ‘polishing off in the final third’ with the final friendly at Weston-super-Mare on Saturday working towards players keeping their place for the first League game.

“You’ve got to believe it when you’re running near post, you’ve gotta believe it when you’ve left a man and strike across the keeper and if we had of done that it might have been a very different game”.

He also confirmed, with a wry smile, that he was trying to add to the group before the start of the season too.

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None of the Gloverscast trio were at the Avenue Stadium, Dorchester for the penultimate pre season friendly, but here’s a brief wrap up of the friendly  which ended 0-0, despite good chances falling the way of Max Hunt, Josh Staunton and Alex Fisher.

Magpies goalkeeper Harry Dillon was called into action on a couple further occasions but no one in pink and purple could find the back of the net in the absence of Tom Knowles, who was rested.

Matt Buse continued as a trialist starting the game but Chiori Johnson stepped out of the side with a ‘slight knock’. Lawson D’Ath made his first appearance of pre-season and Charlie Wakefield started his first game.

We will have further reaction on the game with Five Conclusions, but Chris Hargreaves will hope that the goals will start to flow sooner rather than later with just one pre season game between now and the start of the National League season.

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Yeovil Town have announced that Phil Osborn has joined Chris Hargreaves’ back room team as Goalkeeper coach.

As revealed by the Gloverscast, Osborn has been at the pre-season games working with Max Evans and Grant Smith.

But now that deal becomes official.

Speaking to YTFC.net he said “I’m over the moon and very excited to join the club.

“After talking to the management and already knowing the rich history of the club, it was an absolute no brainer to take the opportunity and be involved in the new chapter.”

Welcome to Huish Park, Phil!

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Charlie Wakefield holds off his marker

After a couple of draws in their opening two pre-season friendlies, Yeovil Town suffered their first defeat of the campaign at home to League One side Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Having held their opponents at bay in the first half, Chris Hargreaves’ men were undone by two goals from the visitors’ Ryan Hardie and Finn Azaz in the opening 15 minutes after the restart, before Matt Worthington and Plymouth wing-back Bali Mumba saw red for a scuffle.

Here are Marcus Duncomb‘s conclusions on a difficult afternoon at Huish Park…..

 Max Hunt. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Our trio of centre-backs are very solid. It seems as though Chris Hargreaves is set on lining up with a back three/five, depending on which way you look at it. The three centre-backs of Josh Staunton, Morgan Williams and Max Hunt were all key players last season and know each other well. This showed against a very strong Plymouth side who struggled to break us down in the first half after putting six past Torquay United in midweek. I think these three will be important.

Don’t expect the cards to disappear. Under Darren Sarll, Yeovil were no strangers to cards – in fact we consistently had the most cards in the leagues. It seems like that might not change immediately. When Matt Worthington and Bali Mumba got into a scuffle the whole Yeovil team and dugout instantly went into defend their teammate – this was only a friendly! We also saw Chiori Johnson, who had a tough afternoon, foul tricky wing-back Mumba time after time and he almost certainly would have been booked if it weren’t pre-season.

Chris Hargreaves wants runners in his side. The midfield trio was made up of Worthington, Sam Perry and Tom Knowles slightly more advanced. Yeovil fans already know all about the work rate of Worthington and Knowles – they are probably the two Yeovil players who have clocked up the most distance over the past two seasons and Perry is no different. Up front, Alex Fisher never gives up and his work rate in that position has been much missed over the past few years while Malachi Linton’s quick pace and eagerness to press gave Plymouth defenders little time on the ball. Let’s see if they’re still doing this come Boreham Wood away in April..

Charlie Wakefield. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

We don’t really know where Charlie Wakefield fits in yet. Wakefield hasn’t been fully fit to start a friendly and the only position we’ve seen him play is right wing-back. Yeovil fans know that Wakefield can offer so much more than a wing-back. Last season while we mainly saw him operate on the wing, he did also feature up front and very occasionally at wing-back towards the end of games. There are no out-and-out wingers in Hargreaves’ current system and Knowles has been placed in the no.10 role while we are waiting to find out where Wakefield’s long-term future is. Surely he wouldn’t have signed the contract extension if he was told he’s going to be a backup wing-back?

It will be interesting to see how we play against weaker opposition. Our final two friendlies against Dorchester and Weston-Super-Mare are more likely to give us an idea of how we are going to play. Against Plymouth we probably had about 20% possession and so it was really an exercise of defensive structure. We barely saw Yeovil with the ball, but when we did it looked promising. One particular move in the first half started with Grant Smith and ended with a Knowles long shot going narrowly wide. But the ball never went in the air once and it was all played along the ground nicely through most of the team, beating the Pilgrims’ press.