Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 366)

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Martyn Starnes will soon be appointed as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer and join the club’s board, according to chairman and owner Scott Priestnall.

Yeovil Town owner and chairman Scott Priestnall and soon-to-be club CEO Martyn Starnes at the recent 1-1 draw with Dorking Wanderers.

In an update posted on the club’s website on Friday, the chairman said that Starnes would “shortly” be appointed in the role which he previously held for a six-year period up until July 2013 when he left to take over at Plymouth Argyle.

He has been a regular feature at Huish Park in recent months with director Stuart Robins telling us on the Gloverscast that Starnes was involved in a “voluntary” capacity which now looks set to become permanent.

Speaking of Starnes in the statement, Priestnall said: “I can confirm that the club’s former CEO has been assisting myself and the club for the last few months and will be shortly appointed as a Director of Yeovil Football & Athletic (Club) Limited and once again take up the role of CEO.

“Martyn has vast experience and expertise in football, and I look forward to Martyn leading the club off the field and working closely with (manager) Chris (Hargreaves) to improve on the field.”

In a wide-ranging statement, the chairman said that discussions were continuing with “potential investors” and added that “the door is open for anyone to approach the club with interest in being involved in the ownership of the club.”

He added: “I will of course take any approach seriously and communicate this to supporters I’m hoping that we will have one or two additional board directors before the end of the year.”

It would appear that Starnes will be joining Robins, who became a director in May when he bought a 20% stake in Yeovil Football & Athletic Club Limited, the business which operates its football operations, and Priestnall on the board – and there’s perhaps another to come.

 

On the pitch, the chairman added that he would continue to support manager Chris Hargreaves to build a team “which can compete” in the National League.

He said he believed that the team was “improving in that department” following last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors and said the manager had “been given additional resources” to strengthen the squad.

The chairman also said there would be a meeting held in November where supporters would be able to “have their voice heard and raise questions.”

Priestnall added: “I don’t think anyone can dispute the quality of our performances this season, and of course we need to turn those performances into wins.

“Chris has been given additional resources to improve the squad as we look to capitalise on a good win Saturday against a very strong Solihull side.

“Whilst I appreciate, I won’t ever win some of you over, I hope that you continue to put your support behind Chris and the team, in the meantime we will be setting up a meeting next month for supporters to have their voice heard and raise questions.”

Speaking in his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie with Taunton Town, Hargreaves said he believed that any money generated by a run in the competition would be reinvested in to the squad.

He said: “There’s no doubt that the money will come back to the playing squad if it’s right at that point and the management of the club’s (finances) is vital.”

The chairman has confirmed that since selling the land at Huish Park to South Somerset District Council in a deal which cost the local authority £2.8m, the club has been “working with consultancy firms, architects and investment partners to assemble a plan for the development of Huish Park.”

He added: “We have held various discussions with potential partners and have had a planning meeting with the council.

“Over the coming months we will be looking to finalise our plans for both the land and re-development of the stadium. I hope to get those plans and our next steps out to you all later this year.”

To be perfectly clear, the council put £2.8m in its budget to complete the acquisition of the land, but we have been told that this is not the amount the club received in the deal. That figure has not been made available, except that it’s not £2.8m.

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Chris Hargreaves is hoping to be able to harness Yeovil Town’s FA Cup pedigree as the competition gets underway this weekend.

The Glovers face a Somerset derby against Taunton Town in the competition’s fourth qualifying round at Huish Park looking to progress.

Chris Hargreaves in conversation with his assistant Chris Todd. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Last season, Darren Sarll’s side reached the competition’s third round, putting out Stevenage to take their Football League scalps to 21 and making the club the most successful in the competition’s history.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins ahead of the game, Hargreaves said: “The club has had some very good runs in the FA Cup over the years and we are very aware of that.

“It is still an unbelievable competition, when I look back at my debut which I can’t tell you how many years ago it was, it was a way to make a name for yourself.

“It was the only way to get on to Match of the Day unless you were playing in the top flight and it was a way to generate money for the club.

“That will be the same for both clubs this weekend and we know we have a tough test ahead.”

The record books suggest that Hargreaves’ first FA Cup tie was playing for Hereford United in a 1-1 draw at Colchester United in December 1997, out of interest.

But, as you have already heard, the boss is taking nothing for granted against the National League South side from up the A358 who the Glovers were held to a goalless draw against in a pre-season friendly.

Hargreaves said: “We are up against an opposition that has had fantastic success recently and have done an unbelievable job getting promoted.

“Rob (Dray, the Taunton manager) has done an unbelievable job in galvanising that club and getting them to that level.

“We played them in pre-season and it was a tight game, so I expect them to be as resilient and competitive again but we have to concentrate on ourselves.

“If we do that, we know we are a good side, it’s just a case of finding that consistency.”

The Screwfix Stand will not be open for the tie with away supporters taking the away terrace blocks AA-B in the Main Stand at Huish Park and home fans taking Blocks B-GG and the Thatcher’s Gold Stand.

Tickets are still available to buy – click here to buy.

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Chris Hargreaves has suggested there will be “a few tweaks” to his starting line-up as Yeovil Town start their FA Cup campaign this weekend.

The Glovers’ boss will get seven substitutes to select for the Somerset derby with Taunton Town at Huish Park which will give him the chance to give a few opportunities to those who have not made the squad.

The likes of striker Jake Scrimshaw and on-loan goalkeeper Will Buse, who are both yet to start a game for the club, and young defender Ollie Haste, recently returned from a successful spell at Truro City, will be hoping to get a chance to shine.

Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Asked by BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins, the manager said: “It’s difficult picking the bench because you see a lot of players working their socks off in training.

“Seven substitutes gives a couple of players an opportunity to get on the pitch and show what they are all about.”

He added: “We have to show consistency. There might be a few tweaks, but consistent teams are usually successful. It’s all about players knowing their jobs and playing week in and week out.”

The manager was asked specifically about Buse, who was part of the Taunton side which won promotion to National League South last season, who is yet to feature since joining on loan from Bristol City in the summer.

He added: “It might seem like he hasn’t been close, but it’s like that as a keeper, it’s not like the outfield positions where there’s rotation.

“With a keeper you will sometimes have long periods where you are not in the squad, but he can’t do any more in training, he has a fantastic attitude and has been brilliant with the players and the staff.”

Hargreaves added he still had to speak to managers from parent clubs about whether they will allow players to feature and be Cup-tied.

As well as Buse, the Glovers’ boss has defender Owen Bevan (AFC Bournemouth), midfielders Sam Perry (Walsall) and Finley Craske (Plymouth Argyle) and forward Sam Pearson (Bristol City) on loan.

Injury victims left wing-back Jamie Reckord and playmaker Lawson D’Ath will both be “touch and go” for the weekend.

Reckord has not featured in the club’s past two matches whilst D’Ath limped off of last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors after 54 minutes.

The boss said he believed that any money raised by the club’s progress through the FA Cup would be able to be reinvested in the playing staff.

However, he pointed out the importance of the incoming citing the examples of rugby union sides Worcester Warriors and Wasps, who have been wound up and placed in to administration respectively after running in to major financial issues.

The winners of the weekend’s tie will receive £9,375 in prize money with the losers picking up £3,125, but reaching the competition’s third round will bring in more than £100,000 in prize money.

Hargreaves said: “There’s no doubt that the money will come back to the playing squad if it’s right at that point and the management of the club’s (finances) is vital.

“I know I am talking about rugby now, but you look at Worcester and Wasps, these are massive clubs which are going under.

“If that money at that time is used for the club to survive on a day to day basis, that is what it should be used for, but if there’s a surplus and that money can be spent on players that is brilliant.

“I am conscious that in football we need to make sure we are sustainable and we are trying to create that model here whilst being hugely competitive.”

Hargreaves revealed he had recently missed out on bringing in players ahead of last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors and again this week.

He said he had no ambitions of having “a huge squad” but said he was “one or two injuries” away from needing to add to his ranks.

Gime Toure. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The manager said: “We are trying to look at quality. So if you are bringing in players they have to be as good as our current players or better, otherwise you are just making up the numbers.

“The balance is fine between having strength in depth and selection headaches. At the moment we are okay, but we are probably one or two injuries away from needing back up.

“We lost out on two before last weekend and this weekend, who were needed to stay in and around their own squads either playing or being on the bench.

“They were to come and strengthen our squad and anyone who comes here has to fight for their place in training.”

Forward Gime Toure serves the final match of his three-game suspension for a red card at Southend United at the weekend whilst Matt Worthington will be missing for next weekend’s visit to Oldham Athletic after picking up five yellow cards in National League action.

With bookings being competition specific, the midfielder is available to face Taunton this weekend.

Of Worthington, Hargreaves said: “If you are an on the edge player, you are going to run the risk of getting booked, so I have some sympathy but discipline has to be a key factor.

“He will be loss because he wears his heart of his sleeve but it gives someone an opportunity for someone else to show.”

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Chiori Johnson

Fresh from being named in the Non League Paper’s team of the day, Chiori Johnson is also in Vanarama’s team of the week too.

The official league sponsor has Johnson in after his winning goal against Solihull Moors gave the Glovers their second win of the season – with a ‘cleano’ too!

Nice work, Chiori!

Full team listed below!

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Chiori Johnson speaking to BBC Somerset reporter Sheridan Robins after the 1-0 win over Solihull Moors.

A duo of Glovers have been named in the Non League Paper’s Team of the Day after the 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Goal scorer Chiori Johnson makes the cut after his first Glovers goal as does returning defender Ben Richards-Everton who, alongside his defensive comrades, picked up a “cleano”. (his words, not ours)

The full team is below.

Nice work, lads!

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Yeovil Town Under-18s moved up to third place in the South West Counties Youth League after picking up their first win of the season.

Yeovil Town Under-18s striker Charlie Bateson. Picture courtesy of Matt Partridge.

The young Glovers took the lead after 25 minutes against Wimborne Town with Charlie Bateson getting his third league goal of the season.

The striker has six in all competitions after bagging a hat-trick in the recent FA Youth Cup win at Bovey Tracey.

Alex Stevens and substitute Josh Haskett added goals in the second half to seal the win which moves the Under-18s up the division after four matches, albeit with some in the division having played just one match.

Yeovil Town Under-18s: Robert Hollard, Josh Sutton (for Harry Lock, 75), Max Dyer, Jacob Shore, Harrison Foster, Jake Graziano (for Joshua Haskett, 85), Jack Bareham, Ryan Price, Charlie Bateson (for Nathan Hart, 70), Benjani Junior (for Mikey Archibald, 65), Alex Stevens (for Harry Evans, 85).

In the Junior Premier League, the club’s age group teams playing under the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust picked up three wins and two defeats.

The Under-12s won against Paulton Rovers with the Under-15s and Under-16s defeating Saints South West Devon, whilst Under-11s and Under-13s lost their matches against Paulton Rovers and Saints South West respectively.

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Chris Hargreaves’ Glovers picked up a much-needed win against Solihull Moors yesterday at Huish Park, here are Ian’s Five Conclusions…

The win was well-deserved. We’ve seen so many draws this season where we’ve deserved more and yesterday we finally got the result our play merited. Grant Smith was called into action a couple of times in the first half but we had the better of the chances, showed more determination to get forward and kept Solihull’s key players quiet. We looked comfortable, confident and even after taking the lead we didn’t sit back or let Solihull gain a foothold.

Charlie Wakefield looked more like himself. It was the performance we’ve been yearning for from our Starman. Without having to think about his defensive duties so much, Charlie was playing instincitvly, he was confident with the ball and getting himself in the right areas too. He got through plenty of socks, with his running and was given the full 90 minutes. He’s made a case to play further forward, let’s hope he stays further forward.

Chiori Johnson put in another impressive performance. He should have opened the scoring early when he spurned a chance in the opening five minutes, but he didn’t let that miss bring him down. He was in the right place at the right time to score the opener, albeit with sloppy defending from Moors. There’s something about playing on the left side isn’t there? Against Chesterfield he was a standout at right wing back, and yesterday he was strong in left midfield. He’s pacey, versatile and a well-disciplined player and he’s setting himself up to become an important figure in the team.

I thought Solihull looked lethargic. I thought we looked comfortable after going in front. Solihull really didn’t seem to have the urgency I thought they’d show after conceding. This wasn’t the same game as the Dagenham win where it was backs to the wall. They had one chance through Josh Kelly, but other than a couple of corners, we weren’t overly stretched defensively. Andrew Dallas was kept quiet, Joe Sbarra didn’t do a lot and Neal Ardley’s changes didn’t bear fruit. In his post-match Ardley was livid with his teams performance and understandably, it felt like they settled for defeat.

This needs to be the springboard. We’ve got what could be a tricky FA Cup tie with Taunton next weekend, followed up with Oldham away and Aldershot at home. If we’re going to climb the table, we need to put our foot on the gas and follow this up with wins. The celebrations of supporters, players (particularly Alex Fisher) and the manager were one of immense relief, let’s bottle it and drink it with thy cider.

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Chiori Johnson is looking to cement his place in the Yeovil Town line-up having completed his first 90 minutes since joining the club in the summer.

The former Arsenal youngster scored the Glovers’ only goal in the 1-0 home win over Solihull Moors to earn his side their second win of the National League season.

He played in the left wing-back position in a five-man midfield having featured on the right side and in the middle in his previous appearances this season.

Asked by BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins about his battle to get a regular starting spot in the side, he said: “It has been frustrating, but sometimes you have to respect what the manager does and work hard every day in training and eventually you will get your opportunity.

“When you do, you have to take it, so I am trying to do that right now, so we’ll see how that goes.”

Asked about his versatility, he added: “I’m comfortable in a variety of positions, as long as I am on the pitch, I’m happy, I don’t mind if it’s on the left, on the right or in the middle.”

The win over a Solihull side expected to challenge for promotion again this season moved the Glovers out of the National League relegation zone which they had slipped in to having won just once in their opening 12 matches.

Johnson said he believed the team had been “really unlucky” with results not matching their performances so far this season.

He added: “We really need that win today, we have been working so hard and we have played really well in games and got unlucky and we got the result today. Now we have something to build on.”