Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 370)

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Malachi Linton chases down Dan Moss whilst playing for King’s Lynn on the opening day of last season at Huish Park.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Former Wycombe Wanderers striker Malachi Linton has become the second striker to join Yeovil Town this summer.

The 21-year-old, who was released by the Chairboys at the end of last season, had a loan spell in the National League with King’s Lynn Town and was part of the side which won at Huish Park on the opening day of the season.

He scored eight times in 20 league starts on loan in Norfolk, including six in his final ten appearances, before undergoing surgery of a leg injury in April  which kept him out for the rest of the campaign.

Speaking to the club’s website, the former Ipswich Town youngster said: “I’m excited. Yeovil is a big club with a good core of players and staff. I’m looking forward to coming in and adding to that.

“The manager has been a big pulling factor. We’ve had some good conversations. We share similar traits, but the main one being ambition. I’ve played here before, I’ve seen what it’s like, I simply couldn’t refuse.

“I can’t wait to meet up with the boys and get on the pitch.”

He was announced on Friday just 48 hours after the arrival of former Bristol Rovers youngster Ollie Hulbert, who became manager Chris Hargreaves’ first signing when his arrival was announced on Wednesday.

Speaking about the latest arrival, Hargreaves said: “Malachi is a player all of the coaching staff have seen. His goal record for games played at his age in this league is very good.

“He’s a player with an excellent attitude and is someone who is hungry to succeed. He arrives with a strong recommendation from Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth. I think he will be an excellent addition to the squad, and I look forward to working with him.”

Greg Plummer, King’s Lynn reporter for the Lynn News, for his thoughts on the signing of Malachi Linton.

Having been released from the academy at his hometown club Ipswich Town where he played from under-10s to under-16s, Linton was awarded a two-year scholarship in the famous Crewe Alexandra academy.

Having turned out for the Railwaymen at under-23s level, he dropped in to non-League in search of first team football, signing for Isthmian League Lowestoft Town in August 2019, scoring 13 goals in just 10 appearances.

His form earned him at trial at Wycombe and he impressed enough to earn a move at the start of the 2020-21 campaign and spent five games on loan at Slough Town at the end of 2020.

The striker impressed enough to earn a new deal at Adams’ Park before being loaned out to King’s Lynn at the start of last season, making 30 appearances and scoring eight times.

He played just once for Wycombe, a 3-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa under-23s in the Papa John’s Trophy last August.

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Another week, another Gloverscast and another top level guest.

On this week’s podcast, we are joined by England and Team GB international Goalkeeper Giles Moore, he tells about his time growing up in Somerset, supporting the Glovers and how he turned his disability into an international football career that has seen him win 62 caps for England and go to Rio for the 2016 Paralympics… an incredible story.

Then, Ben and Dave chat Charlie Wakefield staying, Ollie Hulbert joining and take some GCQs as well.

As ever, thanks so much for all your recent feedback on the chats with Chris Hargreaves and Under 18s Manager Matt Percival on recent episodes, we really appreciate it.

Like, share, subscribe and make sure you visit Gloverscast.co.uk for plenty more brilliant YTFC content.

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Reuben Reid opens the scoring in the 2-0 win over Southend. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Former Yeovil Town striker Reuben Reid has joined Southern League side Weston-Super-Mare ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Reid was released from the Glovers at the end of last season after 18-months back at Huish Park.

In total, he scored six league goals in 50 league appearances during his second spell at the club, he won’t have long before he faces his former club, Yeovil are scheduled for a trip to Weston-Super-Mare on July 30th in a pre-season friendly.

The 33-year old told the WSM website;

“Approaching the biggest crossroads in my life certainly from a career perspective of the last 18 years, everything about this decision and opportunity has just felt ‘right’.

“I’m grateful and humbled by the manager’s pursuit, approach and eventual opportunity he has given me for myself and family.

“At this stage in my career, I want to be a part of something exciting and progressive. After speaking to and confiding with a solid friend of mine in Scott Laird, I realised that this is exactly what I need.”

All the best at Weston, Reuben!

 

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Marcus Stewart’s Top Five Goals for Yeovil

To celebrate the return of Marcus Stewart to Huish Park 14 years after his departure – that can’t be right, can it? – we are celebrating some of his finest goals in green and white.

In his career Stewart played in the Premier League for Ipswich and Sunderland, and in 2000/01 was the second-top scorer with 19 goals for Ipswich. Born in Bristol, although he spent the early part of his career at Bristol Rovers, he actually grew up as a City fan which played a part in him choosing to sign for them after leaving Sunderland in 2005.

He arrived at Ashton Gate at the age of 32, and eventually came to us courtesy of our former manager – Gary Johnson had arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005, and after sending Stewart out on loan to Preston towards the end of the 2005/06 season made it clear that the veteran striker was free to find another club even though he was still under contract.

Although Yeovil had started better than expected in 2006/07, new manager Russell Slade clearly felt the need to add to his striking options of Wayne Gray, Arron Davies and Lee Morris, who was still working his way back to full fitness. With Matt Harrold starting the season but moving to Southend right at the end of the transfer window, this left room in the budget for Slade to bring in the experienced striker.

Stewart was an immediate hit, grabbing five goals and four assists in his first 11 games. Initially signed on a maximum three-month loan, he was then unavailable for the month of December as the Glovers awaited the opening of the transfer window with the hope of signing him on a permanent deal. As a temporary replacement, Slade signed Leon Best on loan from Southampton, who would also go on to be a spectacular success. As expected, Stewart signed permanently when the window opened, and his first game as a permanent Yeovil player was in the televised game against Huddersfield on 5th January 2007.

Marcus scored 9 goals and 6 assists in the memorable 2006/07 season. Almost all of his goals were crucial – he scored late equalisers away at Blackpool and Chesterfield early in the season, and towards the end scored the only goal in 1-0 wins over Swansea and Rotherham plus of course, the most memorable goal of all against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Marcus also played 40 times in 2007/08, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists. He left at the end of the season for Exeter, where he played for another three seasons before retiring in 2011. One of his last ever games was against Yeovil, in the 3-2 win for the Glovers at St James’ Park in March 2011. His last game as a professional was against his first club Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium, ending his playing career where it had begun.

Marcus Stewart’s Top Five Goals (in no particular order):

Brighton, 26 September 2006 – Marcus scored this spectacular goal early in a 2-0 home win over Brighton. It was part of a run of four consecutive wins which took the Glovers up to 2nd in League One.

Tranmere, 1 September 2007 – this excellent solo goal gave us a second half lead, but we frustratingly dropped points to an injury time equaliser, which would be a recurring theme that season.

Torquay, 11 November 2007 – a first half goal gave Yeovil the lead in an FA Cup match that was televised on the BBC. At the time Yeovil were in League One and Torquay were in the Conference, and we were faced with the unusual prospect of being on TV in the hope of being on the receiving end of an upset. Unfortunately, despite taking the lead in the first half, they got their wish.

Carlisle, 5 April 2008 – A familiar story, as a brilliant Stewart goal gave us the lead in a game that was ultimately lost in injury time. There is also a version with hilariously biased local commentary which suggests that the goal is a fluke that takes a lucky deflection.

Nottingham Forest, 18 May 2007 – Marcus unforgettably scored the equaliser to complete the comeback from 2-0 and 3-1 down, to draw 3-3 and take the play-off semi-final to extra time, which of course the Glovers won.

Welcome back Marcus!

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Midfielder Ed Upson, who had been linked with a sensational return to the Glovers this summer, has signed for Isthmian League side Stowmarket Town.

Speaking exclusively to the Gloverscast, Chris Hargreaves had confirmed he had “had a conversation“ with Upson about a return, but was giving nothing away about his chances of a return.

Ed Upson in action for Yeovil Town. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The move marks a return to Suffolk, Ed’s home town of Bury St Edmunds is close to his new club.

The transfer sees him drop down to just below the National League North/South level, which considering he was plying his trade at League Two level last season is quite a drop.

Best of luck, Ed!

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Former Yeovil Town player Jordan Barnett has been given a six-week ban from football and fined after admitting he had been “stupid” in placing bets on football matches.

The 22-year-old, who was one of five players released earlier this month, attended a disciplinary hearing with the Football Association where it was heard he placed 138 bets worth a total of £1,366 over four separate seasons.

Jordan Barnett. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

He is now receiving help from Sporting Chance, the addiction clinic set up by former England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams, Barnett used a statement from them in the hearing which said he was showing “marked improvement.”

Barnett’s charge included 32 bets in competitions which the team he was playing competed in, however, the only bet involving a team he played for was a £5 wager on Barnsley to win a match which the player was not involved in.

In the minutes of the hearing, the FA says that Barnett was made aware of the breaches in July 2019 when he was a Barnsley player and went on to make a further 22 bets after this.

When asked why he continued to make bets, he said: “I guess I was not thinking straight and just being stupid, just placing an accumulator bets, single bets, just not thinking what could…..the disciplinaries, what could happen (it was) just stupid of me, really.”

The Commission’s report adds that the player apologised and fully co-operated with the FA’s investigation and gave “candid and complete answers during the interview process.”

It added: “The player expressed that he has struggled with gambling addiction and continues to seek help. 

“He submitted a statement from Sporting Chance who remarked positively on the player and his desire to overcome his addiction. It was said the player was showing marked improvement.”

There is no reference to Yeovil Town at any point in the report.

The Commission’s report concludes that it “did not consider that the integrity of the game was at risk in this matter.”

It added: “The Commission concluded that a reasonable and proportionate fine shall be in the sum of £1,500 with s six-week suspension from football being appropriate.”

From us here at the Gloverscast – and we are sure we speak for all Yeovil Town fans – we would like to wish Jordan well with his treatment and his search for a new club.

He represented us with great passion and commitment and the clear contrition he has shown in his evidence has been noted by the commission.

Anyone who thinks they need to consider their gambling habits or wants to learn more, please visit www.begambleaware.org or call 0808 8020 133.

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Ollie Hulbert ? Pic Courtesy of Sam Collard – YTFC.net

New signing striker Ollie Hulbert is looking forward to reuniting with his former academy coach Chris Hargreaves after becoming his first signing as Yeovil Town manager.

The 19-year-old, who was released by the League One new boys at the end of last season, has agreed a one-year deal with an option for a second.

He worked alongside the Glovers’ boss in the youth team at the Memorial Stadium.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, he said: “The move has been in the works for a while now and I just can’t wait to get started.

“The gaffer spoke to me and said what he wanted to get done and as soon as I heard about it, it was an opportunity I could not really turn down.

“It is massively important to have a relationship with the manager because he knows my game, what my strengths are and what I need to improve on, so hopefully he can help me develop this season and going forward.

“I have always known the size of the club and what the ambitions are and hopefully I can hit the ground running and help the club get back to where it wants to be.”

The forward had loan spells at Gloucester City and Hereford in the National League North last season scoring nine times in 32 games.

He is hoping this first taste of action in men’s football, including playing alongside former Yeovil favourite Kevin Dawson at Gloucester, will equip him for life in the National League.

Hulbert added: “It was a really good learning curve in my career, I played with some really good players like Kevin Dawson, who I am sure the fans here will remember, and they helped me learn and progress and hopefully I can carry that on to next season.

“My game is trying to mix it up a bit by coming short and linking play, but also having the ability to be able to stretch the game and get in behind and hopefully scoring some goals while I am doing that.”

Hargreaves said he hoped his former scholar would be a good addition to the frontline at Huish Park following the departures of strikers Reuben Reid and Adi Yussuf at the end of last season.

He told ytfc.net: “Ollie is a young player with potential who is now ready to kick on. He will be a welcome addition to our squad. 

“I know him well from our time at Rovers and look forward to working with him again.”

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Charlie Wakefield has said he is “really excited” to be working under new Yeovil Town boss Chris Hargreaves after committing himself to the club for next season.

The 24-year-old, who was one of the stand-out players making 46 appearances, scoring eight times in all competitions, confirmed he was staying at Huish Park on Friday.

Charlie Wakefield fires in a shot. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In a statement, the former Chelsea youngster said: “I’m really excited to be staying at Yeovil. I’m looking forward to getting back with the boys and working under the new gaffer.

“See you back at Huish Park, Glovers fans!”

Boss Hargreaves, who told the Gloverscast last week that he was keen to keep Wakefield, said he was delighted to add him to “the already strong core of existing players.”

He said: “He’s a player we were very eager to keep hold of, he proved himself at the level last season and he can kick-on again next season.

“Charlie is the sort of player that gets fans excited in the stands, I’m looking forward to working with him.”

It follows a poll run by the Gloverscast which shows 88% of the 300-plus fans who voted wanted the former Chelsea youngster to remain in Somerset – not saying it’s down to everyone showing him some love, but…..

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Under-18s’ goal machine Benjani Junior is a player the club is looking to challenge for a place in the first-team squad next season, according to head coach Matt Percival.

The striker was one of a number of youngsters who was involved as part of the first-team squad in last season’s Somerset Premier Cup campaign and has been prolific for the Under-18s in the Somerset County Youth League (SWCYL).

Benjani Junior warming up during the Somerset Premier Cup tie with Cheddar.
Picture courtesy of YTFC.

He arrived at Huish Park last year following his release from the academy at Portsmouth where his father, Benjani Senior, is a club legend for his form which saw him make a £7.6m move from Fratton Park to Manchester City in 2008

Speaking to the latest edition of the Gloverscast, the coach said the striker’s father, now assistant manager for the Zimbabwe national team, had attended a number of the young Glovers’ matches.

Matt said: “His father has been to a couple of games, but he works for the Zimbabwe FA so he is out in Africa quite a lot.

“When he has been to matches he is really supportive and he was a big part of us getting Benji and getting him involved with the programme.

“He is an absolute machine when he plays for us, I think he scored about 25 goals in about 30 games, so he’s one that will have pressure put him to try and get in to the first team next year.

“Whether it’s the Somerset Premier Cup or the National League, he’s someone we are looking to kick on.”

Benjani is one of nine players from the Under-18s who featured in the SPC campaign along with  Ollie Haste, Korey Andrews, Fin Ridout, Jake Graziano, Mason Hunter, Sam Hodges, Callum Deemer.

They are all graduates of the Elite Player Development Programme (EPDP) which is run in partnership with Yeovil College and play in English Colleges FA (ECFA) South West League (South) in midweek fixtures on the 3G pitch at Huish Park, and represent the club in the SWCYL on Saturdays with games played at the first team’s training pitch at Alvington.

Matt told us that he hopes the arrival of former youth academy coaches Chris Hargreaves and Chris Todd in the club’s first team management set-up would further opportunities for his youngsters.

He said that he is hoping to model the Huish Park set-up on that established by Todd at Torquay United, who won the SWCYL league and cup double last season.

Matt added: “I try and base our model of where we are going on what Chris Todd did at Torquay because their academy closed five or six years ago.

“Where they are now is where I aspire to be. I am sure we will get there, it will take a bit of time, but I am sure we will get there.”

You can hear our chat with Matt in full on the latest podcast, available – here.