Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 388)

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Yeovil Town’s on loan players will still have a major part to play in the club’s season, according to manager Chris Hargreaves.

The Glovers’ boss has left Bristol City goalkeeper Will Buse out of his squad for the past three games and Plymouth Argyle defender Finley Craske is yet to make the final 16.

Speaking ahead of the (now postponed) match at Woking, he told our man Ben Barrett that the situation would not continue forever.

Chris Hargreaves. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

He said: “We haven’t got an under-23s group but we do have a lot of young players and sometimes we are tapping in to even younger players to make up 11-v-11 games in training.

“But, when we have a couple of injuries, it soon turns in to a smaller squad and this is sometimes a problem with under-23s players and we won’t be the only club experiencing that.

“I hope we’ve got the balance right but it can’t continue where nobody gets a look in, I understand that, and that won’t be the case.” 

Of Buse, who joined just over a month ago, the manager said the lack of substitutes and substitutions available in a National League match and the form of number one Grant Smith was keeping him out.

He said: “Will is highly competitive and he wants to play, he came in to battle for that number one jersey and that’s what any keeper wants.

“But, Grant Smith is pulling off saves, he’s competent, his talking, his distribution’s positive, so at the moment Will has to be patient.

“The reason he’s not been on the bench is that we have five subs, three changes and we’ve gone on the premise we might need an extra attacking player on the bench because of injury.”

Earlier in the week, Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher said he would like to see  Craske playing games at Huish Park – but said he trusted Hargreaves with the 19-year-old’s development.

The Glovers’ boss said: “He’s had a lot of players in front of him because everyone became fit and there was an opportunity to bring players in that we hadn’t had before.

“That meant he was further down the pecking order. Does that mean he’s not a good player? Absolutely not, he’s a fantastic footballer with an unbelievable attitude who trains brilliantly.”

Other loanees winger Sam Pearson and midfielder Sam Perry, on loan from Bristol City and Walsall respectively, have featured along with Bolton Wanderers striker Matt Grivosti, who returned to his parent club after two substitute appearances.

Alfie Pond. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Defender Alfie Pond played twice in a loan spell from Exeter City before it was cut short by his move to Premier League Wolves on transfer deadline day.

Hargreaves revealed that conversations had taken place to try and get the 19-year-old back after he impressed in clean sheet performances against Dagenham & Redbridge and Wealdstone.

He said: “I thought because of his performances there was a chance he could have left, but I didn’t think it was going to happen on Transfer Deadline Day as it did.

“There was a conversation (with Wolves) about his loan continuing but it was felt being around our first team and transitioning to their under-23s would have been more beneficial to the player.

“It was a shame because he was showing glimpses of the player he can be, but we wish him the best for the future.”

The other loan player on the books at Huish Park currently is AFC Bournemouth youth team captain defender Owen Bevan who was named on the bench in the 1-0 home defeat to York City last weekend, but did not feature.

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Yeovil Town‘s trip to Woking has been postponed as a mark of respect following the death of The Queen on Thursday.

However, a statement from the National League confirming the postponement of the full schedule of fixtures for the weekend suggests next Tuesday’s trip to Eastleigh will still go ahead.

It added that no sporting events would be permitted on the day of The Queen’s funeral which is presently expected to be Monday, September 19.

In a statement on Friday, the National League said: “Further to this morning’s statement by Debbie Hewitt, chair of The Football Association, all National League System, FA Trophy, and grassroots fixtures scheduled for this weekend will not take place as a mark of respect. The Queen was the FA’s patron, and Prince William is its President.

“At this moment National League fixtures will go ahead as planned from Monday 12 September onwards although we understand no sporting event of any kind will be permitted on the day of The Queen’s funeral.

“The decision to postpone this weekend’s fixtures is taken in line with guidance from the FA in consultation with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The League fully supports this stance.”

Earlier in the day the DCMS had said there was “no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period.” However, soon after the Premier League and EFL both confirmed they were cancelling their weekend fixture schedules – with the National League following suit.

Yeovil Town Under-18s‘ fixture at Salisbury City has also been postponed with the South West Counties Youth League calling off its schedule, along with the opening weekend of the Junior Premier League where a number of age group teams represent the Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust.

There are no details about what happens to match tickets for those who bought them for the trip to Woking – but we would expect such information to appear in the fullness of time.

The last time we can recall the death of a member of the Royal Family leading to a cancellation was the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997 when we made a long trip to Halifax Town (before they were FC Halifax) on a Friday night to avoid the clash with the funeral on the Saturday.

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On today’s Gloverscast we talk about the sad news of Marcus Stewart’s diagnosis and the disgraceful abuse which emerged from the defeat against York.

We also welcome Roger Pipe and Barrie David from the Glovers Trust for an update on the Trust’s activities in recent months and what’s ahead.

Should this weekend’s fixtures go ahead, we’ve also spoken to Jacob from the Cardinals 1887 blog about Woking’s season so far under Darren Sarll…

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Yeovil Town manager Chris Hargreaves has said it is “business as usual” for the club’s Head of Player Development Marcus Stewart after his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease.

The Glovers’ boss said the former striker had been at Huish Park to speak with the club’s players ahead of the weekend’s trip to Woking and paid tribute to his “inner desire” and offered his “unwavering support.”

Stewart made the announcement following a year of testing and he and his wife have launched a campaign to raise money to support research in to the condition which affects the nervous system.

Marcus Stewart. Photo courtesy of Mike Kunz

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins on Thursday, Hargreaves said: “It’s a shock to everybody, he’s held in such high regard in football and at this club.

“We will be there with Marcus with absolute unwavering support. What Marcus wants to do is be with the players, enjoy coaching and that is what we want.

“He had a good chat with players this week and said he is right behind them, he wants to be with them because football is his love along with spending time with his family.”

Asked about the former player who he brought in to his coaching staff on a part-time basis after his appointment to the job in the summer, Hargreaves spoke of his inner strength.

He added: “Across the years, Marcus and I have wanted to win at tiddlywinks, head tennis or whatever it was and that is what took Marcus to the top.

“He will be fighting as he did as a player, you don’t get to the level he without being tough. You don’t have to be the biggest or the strongest, but you do have to have that inner desire and he’s got that.

“I have the utmost respect for Marcus on and off the field and that’s why he’s here. We’re all there for him.

“He’s turning up at this club and it’s business as usual for him, he turned up this morning and he wants the best for the players and he’s trying to get the best out of them, as we all are.”

 

Hargreaves said he had spoken to the club’s players following the start of an investigation in to racial abuse directed at York City striker Lennell John-Lewis in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Huish Park.

He said the club had “zero tolerance” against any form of discrimination and said the punishment to anyone found guilty of the abuse would face “severe” punishment.

The boss added: “We have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination. I have spoken to the players this week, we stand together as a group.

“Punishment will be severe and there needs to be ongoing education. There is a police investigation with the FA and the club which I can’t comment on further. But, we stand together with zero tolerance.”

Looking ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Woking on Saturday, Hargreaves said that he was hopeful midfielder Matt Worthington would recover from an injury.

Matt Worthington. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The former AFC Bournemouth man missed the defeat to York City  and the boss said he was one of a number of doubts in his squad.

He said: “Matt will hopefully be in contention along with a couple of others who have slight injury niggles.

“We had to change a few things last week having lost Matt and that meant we lost some consistency, but if you are that player coming in, you have to step up.

“There remains opportunities and I want players to show that they want to keep the shirt, that’s the most important thing on Saturday.

“If they leave the field on Saturday, they leave it having given everything.”

Hargreaves added that his players knew what to expect from their opponents at the weekend with former Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll taking charge of the Cards.

It is expected that ex-players central defender Luke Wilkinson and full-back Dan Moss will both be in the starting line-up at the Kingfield.

Hargreaves said: “With the ex-players in the Woking side there may be some with a point to prove, and some of our players might have the same against a former manager.

“I get on well with Darren, we have come across each other plenty of times and we have that mutual respect, but come Saturday we both want to win.”

 

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Yeovil Town Head of Player Development Marcus Stewart has announced he has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The former Glovers’ striker joined the coaching staff in a part-time capacity at Huish Park upon the arrival of manager Chris Hargreaves in the summer and has been on the touchline for a number of matches this season.

Having been diagnosed following a year of testing, the 49-year-old has made it clear he intends to continue his role in football.

Yeovil Town’s Marcus Stewart celebrates the 87th minute equaliser which took the League Two play-off final second leg in to extra time at Nottingham Forest in 2007.
Picture courtesy of Len Copland.

In a statement on Thursday, Marcus said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank those closest to me for their unwavering support since my recent diagnosis.

“As I take the time to adjust, my intention is to continue to enjoy my work in football and spend time with my family.

“In the future, I would like to use my platform within football to help raise awareness around MND, but in the short-term, I would like to ask for privacy on behalf of myself and my family.”

The statement added: “Everyone at Yeovil Town and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is committed to supporting Marcus and his family in whatever way we can. We know the same will be true of fans of Marcus’ previous clubs and the wider football family.”

Marcus and his wife, Louise, have set up a JustGiving page for people to be able to donate to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, set up by ex-Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City player Stephen Darby and RAF veteran Chris Rimmer who both live with the condition.

The Foundation aims to raise awareness and funding to assist research in to the illness and raise funds to support those with MND.

The Stewart’s fund-raising page is available here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louise-stewart254

In his playing career, Marcus Stewart spent nearly two years at Yeovil Town scoring 12 times including the memorable strike which forced extra time in the unforgettable League One play-off semi final second leg at Nottingham Forest in 2007.

He played for more than two decades making over 650 appearances for clubs including both Bristol clubs and Exeter City, scoring more than 250 goals.

 

What is Motor Neurone Disease or MND?

The Motor Neurone Disease Association describes the condition as:

MND is the short term for motor neurone disease, which affects the nerves known as motor neurones. These nerves are found in the brain and spinal cord and they help tell your muscles what to do.

With Motor Neurone Disease, known as MND, messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles.

This leads the muscles to weaken, stiffen and waste, which can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. Some people also get changes to their thinking and behaviour, but the disease affects everyone differently.

Not all symptoms will affect everyone, or in the same order. Symptoms also progress at varying speeds, which makes the course of the disease difficult to predict.

MND is life-shortening and there is no cure. Although the disease will progress, symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.

For more information about MND and the Darby Rimmer Foundation, visit:

Motor Neurone Disease: https://www.mndassociation.org/
Darby Rimmer Foundation: https://darbyrimmermnd.co.uk/

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Avon & Somerset Police has launched an appeal for witnesses of an incident where York City striker Lennell John-Lewis was racially abused at Huish Park.

The police has confirmed it is reviewing a recording of the incident which says was “posted online before being removed” although is still available on the match highlights on both club’s YouTube channels.

Lennell John-Lewis issued his own statement on his Instagram account.

It follows an internal investigation launched by Yeovil Town on Monday after the footage came to light and the FA has confirmed to the Gloverscast that it is also investigating the incident.

In a statement, Avon & Somerset Police said: “The player at which the abuse was directed at will be spoken to by officers and offered support.

“Anyone who was in the Screwfix Stand during Saturday’s game and saw or heard anything which could help is asked to get in touch.”

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5222215076, or complete the police’s online appeals form.

You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form.

No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court or have to speak to police when contacting Crimestoppers.

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We’re launching a monthly tracker of fan opinion. This is for the month of August, so up until our 0-0 with Wealdstone.

Give each question below a score out of 7.

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Yeovil Town have launched an investigation after match highlights including “discriminatory chanting” from the weekend’s defeat to York City was published.

The highlights from the game at Huish Park published on the YouTube channels of both clubs including monkey noises coming from the stands as visiting striker Lennell John-Lewis prepared to take a penalty after 70 minutes of the match.

In a statement issued on Monday night, the club said: “Yeovil Town can confirm we are aware of audio which contains discriminatory chanting from Saturday’s game against York.

“An internal investigation will take place into the matter and we will work with all the relevant authorities.

“Yeovil Town continues to stand against all forms of discrimination. We will make no further comment at this time.”

The noises are clearly audible after around four minutes of the highlights footage when John-Lewis, who scored York’s winner in the 1-0 win, stepped up to the spot. His effort was saved by Yeovil goalkeeper Grant Smith.

York City also released the following on their Twitter account:

 

Here at Gloverscast we are sure we speak for all decent supporters when we say there is no place for this behaviour in our club and hope the perpetrators are identified and given lifetime bans from Huish Park.

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Finley Craske (R) warms up ahead of the Barnet game with Olivier Hulbert (C) and Matty Grivosti (L)

Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher has told the Plymouth Herald that he and first team coach Kevin Nancekivell have been in regular contact with both Finley Craske and Yeovil Town regarding the defenders progression and have said that they are “quite happy” with his progress.

Schumacher told reporter Chris Erringtond: “I would like him to play but at the moment he’s not getting in their team. Nance (Kevin Nancekivell) is in touch with Chris Hargreaves, who says he’s doing okay.

“It’s a big step up the National League to what Finley played last year so he’s probably just getting used to it, but they are quite happy with how he’s training and he’s not far away from getting in the squads and in the team, so we will leave him where he is for the time being.”

Craske, who has joined for the entirety of the 2022/23 season on loan from our Devonshire friends, is yet to make an appearance for his new side and has only been seen once on the bench, when as an unused sub on the opening day at Scunthorpe.