Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 469)

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We had a dream at the Gloverscast, well, when I say ‘we’ I mean the pun-tastic Ben Barrett had a dream that this weekend’s trip to Stockport County would be ‘El Quigleyco’.

A clash of footballing titans which sees the free-scoring Yeovil Town striker Joe Quigley face his name-sake Scott Quigley, one of the big money signings who has arrived at Edgeley Park over the summer.

S.Quigley was Barrow’s top-scorer when they won the National League title a couple of seasons ago and then repeated the trick in League Two with them last season.

However, the good news (see injury news a little further down the page) is that a hamstring injury picked up in a 1-0 win at Southend the other week means their Quigley is unlikely to be fit – extinguishing the El Quigleyco dream.

He’s far far from the only quality addition since we lost 1-0 to Stockport on the final game of last season  though.

In midfield, they have former Yeovil loanee winger Ben Whitefield who has joined from Torquay and Arjan Raikhy, a highly-rated youngster from Aston Villa, and at the back  they have signed Ben Barclay from League One Accrington Stanley and Will Fish, who was previously under-23s captain at a club called Manchester United, who some of you may have heard of.

As Russ from County podcast ‘The Scarf Begara Wore‘ told us on the latest Gloverscast there’s an embarrassment of riches at Edgeley Park, yet the victory at Southend in their only one of the season so far.

An opening day defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge, coupled with 0-0 draws against Grimsby Town and Boreham Wood mean our hosts find themselves in 14th place going in to the weekend – we’re in tenth, incidentally.

Russ said: “If you are confident and your fans get behind the time, if it does not go well for us, you will hear the natives getting restless.

“It’s a mixture of everything, we finished last season going 18 unbeaten but drew the most games of any team in the division and we don’t seem to have learnt any lessons.”

A genuine case of being a 12th man for anyone travelling to Edgeley Park – you know what you need to do.

 

FROM THE MANAGER

Stockport manager Simon Rusk is a friend of Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll and believes the visitors to Edgeley Park have enough to “cause anyone a problem on their day.”

He said: “Darren is an experienced manager who understands this level and the type of player he has recruited is enough to cause anyone a problem on their day.

“I’m expecting a tough game, they will be well-organised, they have a good set up and a good staff including people I know.

“Their team is in a good place in terms of confidence (after two wins) I’m sure but they are coming to our ground.

“We have some excellent players that can cause anyone problems and we have to be as organised and as disciplined as we have been and do what we know we can do going forward.”

Asked about the frustration of only scoring twice in their opening four fixtures despite having an expensively assembled forward line including Paddy Madden, Alex Reid, and John Rooney, Rusk said he was confident they would come good.

He said: “Although we are not firing on all cylinders, we are not far away, we limited Grimsby to virtually nothing and at Boreham Wood. We have to keep plugging away and I am confident we can find a way.”

TEAM NEWS

Star signing striker Scott Quigley seems certain be missing for the weekend having picked up a hamstring injury in a 1-0 defeat at Southend the other week.

However, goalkeeper Ben Hinchcliffe is likely to return after suffering a nose injury in the goalless draw at Boreham Wood last weekend.

Long term injury victim left back Mark Kitching played 45 minutes in midweek having not played since picking up an injury in February. However, boss Simon Rusk said he had no plans to rush him back in to action.

Of injuries, the manager added: “We are not in a place we want to be (with injuries) but people are making progress, we came out of last weekend’s game with one or two knocks, so we have to wait and see on a few.

“It’s a bit uncertain with a few of them, but it’s good news with Mark Kitching stepping up his recovery and being part of training.

“We have to make sure we are not throwing him in to a situation which he is not ready for, he’s not far away but he still has a bit to go.”

 

A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS

If you don’t know the answer to this one – where have you been?! Mr Patrick Madden is a centre forward presently earning his trade at Stockport, having written his name in to footballing folklore in South Somerset.

24 goals in 42 games for the Glovers on the way to promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season – including a decent hit in the play-off final at Wembley that year – guarantee the Irishman a good reception from the travelling support.

However, there are many other player links between the two clubs. Winger Ben Whitfield is one we’ve already mentioned and seems likely to start on Saturday, whilst now-FC Halifax Town midfielder Matt Warburton who was at Huish Park last season is a hero at Edgeley Park for his time at Stockport in the National League North.

Then, in no particular order, other players who have a foot in both camps include:

  • Phil Jevons
  • David Poole
  • Andy Welsh
  • Joe Edwards

There’s probably more, but that’s enough to be getting on with.

If you are making the trip to Greater Manchester (or is it Cheshire?) then the advice from Stockport is that you buy your tickets in advance at there will be queues at the ticket office on the day.

For full details on tickets, see here,and if you haven’t figured out how you’re getting there you’ve left it a bit bloody late! But, details of the Green & White Supporters’ Club transport is here – you might get on….if you’re lucky.

If you fancy a bit of background about what to expect from Edgeley Park, don’t miss our Ciderspace Away Travel Guide which should bring you all you need, see here.

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Episode 100 of the Gloverscast is here!!

Ian, Ben and Dave are here to talk about the origin story of the Gloverscast and how it’s evolved over the course of a god damn pandemic.

Dave talks to Russ from The Scarf Bergara Wore about Saturday’s clash against Stockport, BBC Ben shares some of his notes ahead of the game, we take your questions and can Ian dethrone the longest reigning quiz champion in history, Nigel Dyson?

It’s all to play for.

 

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Talk about potential new owners at Huish Park is unsettling for the club’s players, according to manager Darren Sarll.

The boss was asked about the statement issued by the Glovers’ Trust saying that two consortiums were in talks about buying the club ahead of the trip to Stockport County.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, Sarll said he had been made aware of the statement but was “not privy to anything” about the details of the discussions.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

He said: “It has absolutely nothing to do with me, all I can say is it does not help the players.

“The first thing they were talking about especially on Tuesday was that and then they start thinking about ‘what if that happens?’

“Whilst they are thinking about all those permutations they are not thinking about football.

“I can control lots of things, but I can’t control these things.

“I want to enjoy my football this year and working with a group of people who are as ambitious and as focused as I am.

“The rest is down to the business owner and at the moment that is (current Chairman) Scott Priestnall and whatever happens, happens.”

In a statement issued earlier in the week, the Glovers’ Trust said it has been speaking with a consortium is “in the latter part of negotiations” around a takeover with a second group is also “at an advanced stage.”

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Yeovil Town midfielders Dale Gorman and Tom Knowles are both doubts for the weekend’s trip to big-spending Stockport County.

Manager Darren Sarll said the pair had picked up minor injuries after playing three games in the space of a week.

Dale Gorman.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, the boss said: “We had a few concerns with (Dale) Gorman and Tom Knowles, a couple of little niggly ones from three games in a short space of time.

“We will leave that until as late as possible, I would not think that any of them will train today (Thursday) and maybe not tomorrow and we will look at some alternatives, maybe a shape change.”

The boss also confirmed that on loan Middlesbrough left-back Jack Robinson would not be available for the trip to Edgeley Park.

He is expecting the player to be available for selection again from Monday when suspended midfielder Matt Worthington will be available.

The versatile Alex Bradley returned after illness to come off the substitutes’ bench for the 1-0 home win over FC Halifax Town last weekend.

There is no news on loan midfielder Lewis Simper who is yet to be seen in the team or on the bench as yet.

If you are planning on making the trip to Edgeley Park, don’t miss our Ciderspace Away Travel Guide to Stockport – here.

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Max Hunt against Halifax – Pic Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil defender Max Hunt spoke to the press before the Glovers’ game vs Stockport County on Saturday, speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins he was pleased with how he, and the side had started the season.

“I’ve been very pleased, I’ve had to do some work, (I) came back in pre-season fit like all the boys and how the gaffer and Terry (Skiverton) have worked us is credit to how we’ve started.”

Hunt was also full of praise for his central defensive partner, Luke Wilkinson, saying having the experience and know-how of Wilko and the consistency of having a settled defence was key to seeing the team improve.

“Last season there was a lot of different partners, a lot of different people playing in the back four for a number of different reasons, 

“Whenever I’ve played with Wilko, me and him have got a good relationship on and off the pitch – and we’ve had some good results, so let’s hope that continues.

Hunt drew praise from all corners following an incredible last ditch tackle against Halifax in the dying moments at the weekend – Gloverscast Ben described it as “as good as a goal” on the latest edition of the Podcast, whilst Darren Sarll also praised the defenders intervention.

“It was important, the boys had worked hard for 88 minutes, it’s important for me to make that tackle, thankfully I timed it well, the ref could have evened it up after he gave us a penalty, but I made sure I timed it right and didn’t give him the chance to”

There was talk of how Hunt is hoping to be more of a threat in the attacking situations as well as continuing to be resolute defensively with the central defender admitting he’d like a few more goals to his name as the season progresses.

“I think we’ve got a big side in general this season and our set piece takers are fantastic, so as a team, but me as well we have to start chipping in”

The fomer Carlisle man was adament that the team was confident of a positive result and said that he and the entire Glovers side were respectful of Ex-Yeovil forward Paddy Madden but that they were ready for the challenges the whole Stockport side will bring.

 

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Yeovil Town captain Luke Wilkinson has been named in the Vanarama National League Team of the Week before his performance in the 1-0 win over FC Halifax Town last weekend.

The centre-half was named the BT Sport man of the match albeit his team-mate Sonny Blu Lo-Everton walked away with the supporters’ award on the day.

https://twitter.com/Vanarama/status/1434910825882558464?s=20

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Two groups are in discussions to buy Yeovil Town from its current owner Scott Priestnall, according to  the Glovers’ Trust.

In a statement, the  Trust says it has been speaking with a consortium is “in the latter part of negotiations” around a takeover with a second group is also “at an advanced stage.”

The Trust added that it believes Priestnall “is willing to sell the football club” and that it had spoken with a number of potential investors including “one of the most high-profile names in English football“, businessmen and supporters about a takeover.

Chairman Scott Priestnall, left, with manager Darren Sarll talking to the club’s YouTube channel.

The statement said: “We are now able to confirm, that a consortium who have held, and continue to hold regular meetings with the Glovers Trust board, is now in the latter part of negotiations to take over the football club.

“Due to Non- Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), we are not able to offer any detail on exactly what this entails, however we would like to assure supporters, that our preference is that the whole Huish Park site and football club is sold together.”

“We are also aware of a second bid to purchase the football club, and we believe this bid is also at an advanced stage.

“We held conversations with the head of this second consortium early in 2021 and have reconnected this week after not hearing anything for some time.

“We have requested a meeting with this group so that we can gather a greater understanding of the detail. We await their response.”

The Trust added that it had been made aware of plans from supporters to protest following the club’s announcement it had increased its loan from Sport England to more than £800,000.

It added: “We absolutely understand and share the frustration of fans, and we call upon the current ownership to communicate and offer some clarity on the situation.

“Nobody wants this to escalate to that stage, especially after such a promising start on the pitch.”

Read the statement in full – here.

In July, the club issued a statement from Chairman Priestnall which revealed he was talking to “interested parties including development firms” about the future of the land at its Huish Park stadium.

Speaking at the time, he said: “We are in discussions with a couple of people at the moment and hopefully I will be able to update on progress.

“The immediate concern is making sure we are competitive and structured operationally and we can have fans back in the stadium in a safe environment.

“We have to be competitive on the pitch and have the resources to be competitive, so that has been a focus for the last couple of months.”

The previous month the Chairman told supporters on social media that he had been “approached by a group to buy the club.”

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The sons of two footballing legends were on target for Yeovil Town’s Under-18s who opened their South West Counties Youth League campaign with an 8-0 win on Saturday.

Finlay Skiverton, the son of Glovers’ assistant Terry, and Benjani Junior, the son of former Manchester City striker Benjani, were on target in the win at New College Swindon (Academy) Under-18s, who had a player sent-off in the game.

Joshua John netted a hat-trick with Darren McAlastair scoring twice to complete an emphatic scoreline.

Ollie Haste who has appeared on the substitutes’ bench for the first-team during pre-season was in the line-up.

Yeovil Town Under-18s: William Armstrong, Callum Deemer, Max Dyer, Jake Graziano, Ollie Haste, Joshua John, Jonny Lye, Darren McAlastair, Benjani Junior, Callum Smalley, Finlay Skiverton.

Substitutes: Mason Aiden, Robert Holland, Mason Hunter, Aidan Skiverton, Joshua Sutton.

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Yeovil Town’s Watford loanee Sonny Blu Lo-Everton was singled out for praise by Darren Sarll when speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins following the Glovers’ 1-0 win over Halifax Town on Saturday.

Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Lo-Everton, who started in an attacking role just in behind frontman Joe Quigley before being substituted late on for Adi Yussuf caught the eye of the sponsors who gave him the Man of the Match, and his boss was full of praise for the 18-year-old:

“He’s a brilliant footballer, he has a brilliant mind, for someone that creative he is actually a little too inquisitive because he should just trust his eyes.

“If we all saw football like Sonny did, there would be far more creative players in the country and there isn’t and that is because they don’t see the game that way, Sonny certainly does and I think as he plays more for us, he will trust more what his eyes tell him more and he’ll be even sharper, quicker and smoother.

“He never looks like he has to try hard, Sonny, he has the lovely way of making everything look easy.”

Lo-Everton has now started each of the last two games for the Glovers after coming off the bench late on vs King’s Lynn on the opening day, and whilst he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes, he’s already making a lasting impression on this Yeovil side.