Latest Yeovil Town News (Page 68)

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Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper insists his focus is on football matters, despite Martin Hellier’s departure as chairman at Huish Park earlier in the week.

Stuart Robins was announced as the chairman’s successor on an interim basis, and in turn confirmed that the Hellier Group will continue to invest while a successor is found.

Speaking to the BBC Somerset reporter Jack Killah, Cooper said: “I’ve got a great relationship with Stuart and a good relationship with Martin. I’m just concentrating on the football.

“Whatever that noise is, for us that’s just noise. We’ve got to concentrate on our football. We have to keep trying to win games, and the more games we win, the better proposition the club is for someone.”

The Glovers travel to Altrincham on Saturday off the back of two victories and two clean sheets, and will look to keep the good run going against a team who are winless in their last seven league games.

“The players have worked really hard. We look as though we’re on the front foot, we get around the pitch and have made it difficult for teams in the last two games, and we’ve got a couple of good results.

Harvey Greenslade celebrates his late, late winner in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over AFC Fylde. Picture courtesy of Gary Brown.

“We want that to continue on Saturday against a team that will be expecting to be in the play-offs. They’ve had a bit of a sticky run but it’s on the day so we’ve got to go and have a right go at them.

“They’re just in one of those moments, it’s just a tricky spell and that happens in a season. It’s impossible even for the top boys to go through the season without a hiccup and they’re in one of those moments.”

Yeovil’s previous two results have been all the more impressive as they’re missing some key players, although Cooper revealed some positive injury news.

“(Jake) Wannell joined in today for the first time, actual full training with the team. We’ll see how he goes. If he can get through that, then he’ll be involved in the weekend.

Jake Wannell in action.
Pic Gary Brown

“Morgan (Williams) is probably a little bit longer. And then obviously another big one is (Aaron) Jarvis, who I think will be touch and go for the rest of the season. If that is the case, we won’t take any risks with him.

“I’m not really sure on Jacob (Maddox). I think he’s just got a niggle in his foot and that comes down to pain threshold. Obviously he’s feeling it and he’s not able to train at the minute.”

On-loan centre-back pairing Kyle Ferguson and Frankie Terry have helped keep out Solihull Moors and AFC Fylde, drawing praise from the green and white faithful for their performances.

Thumbs up from Kyle Ferguson
Pic Gary Brown

“It’s really difficult for the young boys when they come in on loan because they have to earn the respect of the players who are already here. They’re replacing good players, but they’ve put their hand up to carry the flag forward and I’ve been really impressed with them.

“They’ve stood up to the challenge really well in really difficult times. Obviously Frankie came in a couple of weeks earlier than Kyle, but they’ve looked pretty solid together with the help of the goalkeeper and two experienced full-backs either side of them, Alex Whittle and Dom (Bernard).

“We’ve had to set the team up a bit differently to try and help them and give us a bit more solidity, but they’ve done great.”

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Ref, Referee, Match Official

Yeovil Town head to Greater Manchester and so will Mr Dale Baines and his team of match officials.

We’ve seen Mr Baines at Huish Park this season, he took charge of the Glovers’ 2-1 win over Tamworth with goals from Charlie Cooper and Frank Nouble ensuring the hosts took the three points despite going behind on that occasion.

He only booked one Yeovil player, Ciaran McGuckin on the naughty list and did turn down what might be described as an absolute ‘stone waller’ of a penalty when Kyrell Wilson hit the deck in the area.

Mr Baines is a busy chap, he’s officiated as high as League One and as low as the National League South this season, with plenty of cup coverage and some Premier League 2 games thrown in for good measure.

His record reads 104 Yellows and just two reds across all competitions this season.

He’s only taken charge of a single Altrincham game in his career, a 2-1 away defeat to Chesterfield in January 2024.

Mr Baines will be assisted by Martin Parker and David Holmes, Kavan Hurn is in charge of the dugouts.

Dale Baines awards Braintree a penalty against Ebbsfleet

Altrincham FC (First Team) v Yeovil Town FC (First Team)
National League – Premier
Referee: Baines, Dale
Assistant Referee: Parker, Martin
Assistant Referee: Holmes, David
Fourth Official: Hurn, Kavan

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New Yeovil Town interim chairman Stuart Robins has said finding new investment for the club is his “highest priority” having taken over the reins of the club.

The club director has stepped in following the decision of owner Martin Hellier to step down as chairman.

On Wednesday, Robins told BBC Somerset’s Jack Killah that the Hellier Group would continue to support the club financially until a buyer was found and said he had been “given assurances that will continue.”

The interview in full is as follows:

JK: Stuart, how do you feel about having the title of interim chairman of Yeovil Town Football Club?
SR: I feel totally privileged, it is an incredible honour to have that title at the football club I have supported since I was a little lad, so it is an incredible honour.

JK: It has not been the easiest time to be involved in the club in recent weeks, what has it been like to be involved in those discussions?
SR: It has been challenging and we have seen how the supporters have reacted to recent incidents. I think Martin (Hellier) has made the right decision for himself, for his family and for the football club. I totally support his decision. When he phoned me, I thought it was my duty to step up and do what I can for the club for now and hopefully in the future.

JK: When I have spoken with fans, some of them thought what had gone on had been detrimental to the reputation of the club, would you agree it had got to that level?
SR: It had got very difficult, but we are in a position now where we can move forward and hopefully get Huish Park packed again and hopefully supporters enjoying good days out here.

JK: The club’s recently-published financial accounts detailed nearly £3m of debt, should fans be worried about that and where does the club sit in terms of its financial well-being?
SR: I do not think we are a lot different from a lot of clubs at this level and above. It is not great reading, but my major task is to bring in new investment which will hopefully bring bigger and even better times to Yeovil Town. We are being supported by the Hellier Group and I have been given assurances that will continue.

Martin Hellier has given assurances he will continue to support Yeovil Town, according to interim chairman Stuart Robins. Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

JK: So Martin Hellier has confirmed to you he will invest in the club until a new owner can be found?
SR: Yes, the Hellier Group will continue to support the club and I am working closely with officials and they are incredibly supportive.

JK: But financial support from external sources is key for the coming months?
SR: It is critical we get new investment in, absolutely critical.

JK: One thing which has made headlines is the banning orders issued to supporters, will they be looked at, are any being rescinded?
SR: I have been in post as interim chairman for a day and there was lots to do yesterday, especially to make sure the staff understood we are in a good position and the Hellier Group are going to continue to support the football club. The issue of bans is right at the top of the agenda and we will be addressing that very soon.

JK: Do you think any bans will be rescinded before the end of the season?
SR: I think there will be some announcements made quite soon.

JK: Do you have any timeline as to when interested parties in the club could be in the club?
SR: I have been in this business long enough not to give any commitment on that, but what I can assure everyone is that it is my highest priority and I am working diligently to get this done as soon as I can.

JK: Are you confident Yeovil Town will be stronger going forward from this point?
SR: We will come out of this stronger and financially more viable.

JK: Where do you think Yeovil Town should be sitting in the football pyramid?
SR: I have always thought since we got in to the League that we should be a League club and my vision is that we would be at least at least a League One club with hopefully the odd visit to the Championship. We have done it before, I know it is a different era, but I do not see any reason why we could not do it again. 

JK: Do you feel like there is still work to be done to rebuild the relationship with a section of supporters who think the last few weeks have damaged the club’s reputation?
SR: There always is (fans who feel that). I have been through it myself as a supporter and I want everyone to be really proud to be part of the club that I and everybody loves. 

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The Glovers Trust is back. After a period of silence over recent months, the group has posted on its social media channels following the announcement by owner Martin Hellier that he is stepping down as chairman.

The Trust’s statement in full reads as follows: 

Firstly, an apology. The Glovers Trust, was set up in 2016 to ensure meaningful engagement with supporters and Yeovil Town Football Club. Since the night in Johnson Hall in 2023, various board members have stepped away and we’ve been unable to operate as supporters deserve. For that, we are sorry.

In recent weeks, we have been putting steps in place to re-launch and re-engage with supporters and Yeovil Town FC. The events of the last seven-days are a stark reminder that without supporters at the heart of the club, a much-loved, more than a century old community asset will always be vulnerable.

The Glovers Trust acknowledges the announcement by Martin Hellier that he intends to sell Yeovil Town Football Club and his subsequent resignation as Chairman. We thank Martin for his commitment to Yeovil Town FC and his investment that secured a first championship victory since 2005.

This latest development reinforces the urgent need for a sustainable, long-term vision for our club that that prioritises the interests of supporters and the community. Supporter representation alongside football operations expertise must be at the heart of Yeovil Town’s future. Clubs thrive when they are rooted in their communities, and we believe that a model incorporating meaningful supporter engagement in decision-making is the best way to secure the stability and future of Yeovil Town FC.

We are well aware that due to our inactivity, we are not well-placed to be the authority amongst supporters and nor do we expect to be that. The Glovers Trust, however, has the organisational framework and membership structure to be the safety net that every football club should have across the country.

With a third takeover in seven years potentially on the horizon it is crucial that supporters unite to safeguard Yeovil Town FC. We will continue to push for a future where fans have a meaningful voice in how our club is run and urge any prospective buyer to engage with all supporters and recognise the vital role fans play in the club’s identity and future.

In the next few days, we will email our membership base and begin reinstating our membership platform and website before calling an election for roles on the board. The Glovers Trust can only thrive with the passion and expertise from a broad range of supporters. The board can then set the agenda for the Trust and its future.

Our motto, Achieve By Unity, has never been more appropriate.

The Glovers Trust Board

Our own Ian Perkins has been co-opted on to the Trust board alongside supporter Abby Carter together with existing board members John Oakes, Vern Edmunds and Terri Burt to get the Trust back in a position to hold elections and functioning again.

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Harvey Greenslade made it two wins on the bounce for Yeovil, as they defeated AFC Fylde at home in a 1-0 win, let’s see how the rest of the league got on…

We begin in Greater Manchester, where Rochdale sent Aldershot Town packing in an impressive 4-0 showing, boosting their playoff hopes while putting an end to Aldershot’s good run of form. The top two registered home wins in style too, as Barnet defeated Gateshead 3-1, while York City beat Wealdstone 3-0 to keep pace with the leaders.

Following their relegation to the National League South, Ebbsfleet United dusted themselves off to register a credible point at home to Altrincham, whose playoff hopes continue to fade in a 2-2 draw. In Lincolnshire, a 92nd minute James Gale goal lifted Boston United out of the drop zone for the first time since September with a 2-1 win against Sutton United, while Woking held on for all three points at home to Braintree Town. Tamworth staked their late claim for involvement in the playoff picture with an impressive 2-0 win over 10-man Eastleigh.

The remaining fixtures all finished in 1-0 scorelines, with the biggest result being at the bottom. Dagenham & Redbridge put a massive dent in Maidenhead United’s survival hopes with a home win. In the two televised fixtures, both home teams were victorious, with an Adam May screamer separating Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors, and Keenan Appiah-Forson proving the difference between Southend United and Oldham Athletic. Finally, Hartlepool United registered the only away victory of the day, as they left Yorkshire with all three points against FC Halifax Town.

National League results – in full

Forest Green Rovers 1-0 Solihull Moors
Barnet 3-1 Gateshead
Boston United 2-1 Sutton United
Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Maidenhead United
Ebbsfleet United 2-2 Altrincham
FC Halifax Town 0-1 Hartlepool United
Rochdale 4-0 Aldershot Town
Tamworth 2-0 Eastleigh
Woking 2-1 Braintree Town
Yeovil Town 1-0 AFC Fylde
York City 3-0 Wealdstone
Southend United 1-0 Oldham Athletic

National League table

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Yeovil Town chairman Martin Hellier has announced his decision to step down from the club.

He will be replaced by fellow director Stuart Robins who will take over as interim chairman until a permanent successor has been found.

In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, Hellier said: “It has been a privilege to serve as chairman, and I am proud of the significant changes made around the club, changes that I believe will benefit it for years to come.

“Helping the club regain its place in the National League was a key milestone, and while the journey has had its challenges, real progress has been made. However, due to the pressures placed on myself and my family, I have made the decision to step away from my role.

“Stuart Robins will take on the position of interim chairman while a successor is found, and I hope the club can continue building towards a strong future.

“In the meantime, I encourage you all to keep backing (manager) Mark (Cooper) and the team as we approach the final stretch of the season. The club will make no further comment until a new owner has been appointed.”

The news follows days of headlines, including many in the national media, about the owner’s public dispute with supporters which has seen many banned from Huish Park for “negative comments and remarks” regarding the club and Hellier.

In a post on his personal Facebook on Saturday, the local businessman said he intended to sell the club “as soon as suitable buyer can be found.”

Chairman Martin Hellier arrives in the away end at Hemel Hempstead on the opening day of the 2023/24 season.

The announcement ends a tempestuous period of ownership of the club which began in May 2023 when the Hellier Group confirmed it completed the takeover of majority shareholding of Yeovil Town Football Club and Yeovil Town Holdings Ltd securing the buy-back rights to the stadium and land around Huish Park.

Since then, the owner has led the revamping of parts of the stadium and oversaw last season’s charge to the National League South title, restoring the club to the National League Premier Division at the first time of asking.

However, it was also a period which often saw the owner in open dispute with sections of the club’s supporters often through his own social media culminating in the decision to ban supporters for online comments.

Last week the club also announced financial accounts which showed a loss of almost £2.8m during the 2023/24 season which saw the club return to the National League Premier. 

Robins has been a director of the club since May 2022 when he bought a shareholding in the club under the chairmanship of former owner <NAME REDACTED>, which he retained during Hellier’s time in charge at Huish Park.

Earlier on Monday, a posting on Companies House showed that Jack Hellier, the son of the club’s owner, has terminated his role as a director of Yeovil Football & Athletic Club, the club’s parent company.

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Kyle Ferguson, given the Sponsors’ Man of the Match on Saturday, and a spot in the Vanarama Team of the Week on Monday.

A second cleano in a row for the Rochdale loanee earns the defender a well deserved spot.

Lovely stuff.