Player interviews (Page 10)

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The sound of Yeovil Town supporters chanting his name is a memory which still lives with former Glovers’ goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar more than a decade after leaving Huish Park.

The Canadian played 28 times in the 2008–09 season which began under Russell Slade and ended under the stewardship of Terry Skiverton and his assistant Nathan Jones.

The spell at Huish Park was actually the most games Wagenaar, now 36 and living in the United States, played in a career which spanned eight years and saw him capped for his

Josh Wagenaar who played 28 times in the 2008-09 League One season for Yeovil Town.

country.

He told the Gloverscast: “The fans were great, I will always remember them singing ‘Ooooh-ahhhhh Wagenaar!”, that will live long in my memory. To have my chanted by football fans was a dream come true.
“I still have all my jerseys. As far as playing goes in professional teams, I made some of my closest friends whilst I was there.
“Nathan Jones, Terry Skiverton, Andy Welsh, just great guys and always had time for me. I have nothing but good things to say about Yeovil.”

Wagenaar did also recall some slightly less kind chants from Leeds United supporters after he conceded four in a midweek defeat at Elland Road in March 2009.

He chuckles: “I still remember the Leeds fans behind me singing “3-0 and your keeper’s shite!” – so that felt good!”

But, the gloveman does have positive memories of his performances including pulling of great saves in the 1-0 win at Southend United and the draw at Millwall around Christmas 2008.

Loanee Asmir Begovic, who arrived from Portsmouth as a 19-year-old in the summer of 2008, kept Wagenaar out of the side for much of the first two months of that season.

Josh recalls he had been first choice ahead of Begovic for Canada at youth level, including in the CONCACAF Men’s Pre-Olympic Tournament in 2008 where their country finished third.

Begovic was born in Bosnia before his family moved to Edmonton, Canada when he was 10 years old and played for his adopted country at youth level before choosing to play for the country of his birth at senior level.

Asked about his memories of the now-Everton goalkeeper, who has commanded more than £15m in transfer fees, Wagenaar told the Gloverscast: “It was awesome to have Asmir there at Yeovil , we ate lunch a bunch at the Pizza Hut downtown together, get the nice salad bar there.
“His girlfriend at the time, who is now his wife, would come up and visit him from Portsmouth and it was fun to reminisce about Canada and what we missed about our home and native land.
“I don’t know where Asmir would consider to be his home country, but I think a lot of his growing up was in Canada even though he decided not to play for us.”

He adds: “Asmir was always a good goalkeeper, he always had good fundamentals but you just never know that people that get the opportunity and take it.
“He was a good pro, he was committed, so it was surprising but I was not thinking he was going to be a Premier League goalkeeper in the future.”

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Josh Wagenaar who played 28 times in the 2008-09 League One season for Yeovil Town.

Former Yeovil Town goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar has said the team supported manager Russell Slade after his controversial sacking in 2009.

The Canadian goalkeeper spoke to the Gloverscast as the latest interviewee in our series of chats and articles with former players.

Wagenaar had played every minute of a four-man winning run under Slade which culminated in his sacking which was announced midway through a 3-1 win at Peterborough United in February 2009.

Recalling that time, the keeper said: “Everyone got along well, we were all in Slade’s corner, everyone liked him. I think the club has to do what it feels necessary to get results and that is what we decided. I don’t know I saw his sacking coming, perhaps if I had a bit more experience in the game at that point maybe I would have. I was just like ‘that’s what happens’, we had won a number of games before he was relieved of his job.

“I enjoyed playing for Russell and Thommo (assistant Steve Thompson), they were great coaches and a lot of fun. Their door was always open and they were very easy to talk with, but I also felt like they ran a tight ship as well.”

Slade went on to take over as manager at then-League One rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and masterminded a 5-0 win over his old employers a month later – in a game Wagenaar was sent-off with seven minutes remaining.

That led to the return of Chris Weale to Huish Park, and the homegrown stopper kept his place until the 85th minute of a final day defeat at home to Colchester United that season – when Wealey had famously scored a last-gasp equaliser against Hereford United to secure survival.

Wagenaar replaced him for those final five minutes of the final match, but that was the last he would play for Yeovil.

He recalls: “That was really the last time I played for Yeovil because then Wealey came in and I never got my spot back. Yeovil offered me to come back the next year, but it was basically the same contract I had been on the year before and I felt like I deserved a little more.”

He adds: “When I look back at my career, I wish I had been a little bit more professional in my approach but I was a young kid living in another country. I honestly just cared about myself and not a whole lot else, so I was mentally checked out a month before the season event ended. I was looking to move on somewhere else and get home. I was most likely ready for a break and see my family.”

Former Yeovil Town goalkeeper Josh Wagenaar, now a financial advisor and a good guy to speak to about your retirement savings.

Having left Huish Park in the summer of 2009, Wagenaar joined Scottish Premier League side Falkirk following a trial, but did not play a single minute as the club was relegated in 2009-10.

He returned home to Canada and drew a close to his professional career having suffered with arthritis of the back for a number of years.

He says: “For a few years I was able to keep that at bay with different drugs and that summer after Scotland I could not get my body to react, it just hurt to do anything. Eventually I found a medicine which gives me real quality of life, I get to play with my three kids and work out with my wife. I can’t train the way I used too but I don’t need too. I’m still coaching the goalkeepers at the university here as a way to stay connected.”

Now living in Louisiana in the United States, the 36-year-old is working as a financial advisor and helping people plan for their retirement.

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New Glovers’ signing midfielder Dale Gorman has said he is looking forward to playing for boss Darren Sarll again.

The Northern Irishman, who joined on undisclosed terms from NIFL Premiership side Glentoran, played under the manager at youth team level at Stevenage in 2015 and then again under him in the first-team three years later.

Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, the 25-year-old said: “I have played under the gaffer for a number of years now, I know what he is like and he knows what I am like and I am delighted to be back playing under him again.

“I was about 16 when I first signed for Stevenage when I first came across him, so I have known him a long time and to get back working with him is something I looking forward to.”

Having been released by Stevenage following the departure of Sarll at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, Gorman joined Leyton Orient and played 22 times as they won the National League.

Asked about his ambitions at Huish Park, he added: “Our ambitions have to be promotion, when you look at the size of the club and we will give it a good go this year to get back where we know we should be.

“I have experience of winning this league and I know what it takes to win matches in this league, so hopefully I can bring that with me.”

See what supporters of Gorman’s old club Glentoran had to say about his departure – here.

 

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Andrejs Stolcers spoken about how he tried to encourage his Yeovil Town team-mates to play the ball through midfield after joining the Glovers’ side that would go on to win the League Two title.

The Latvian international had been released by Premier League Fulham in the summer of 2004 and linked up with former national manager, Yeovil boss Gary Johnson, in September.

Upon his arrival, Johnson spoke about Stolcers joining to build up his fitness as he looked for a move, but within three days he made his debut in a 1-0 home win over Swansea City in League Two.

The winger went on to play 43 times that season, scoring seven goals, and has spoken to the Gloverscast about his season at Huish Park.

He said: “I tried to bring something more to the team through my conversations with the lads to help them to keep the ball and manage the game rather than get it forward quickly.

Andrejs Stoclers on his debut as a second half substitute against Swansea City in 2004.
Picture courtesy of Ciderspace.

“When I arrived I saw that it was difficult to create much from midfield when you saw so little of the ball, so I tried to help us get the ball down, move it quicker and build up attacks rather than direct passes forward.

“We had some great full-backs and great wing players and we were able to use them more, but if we needed to play it direct, we knew we could do that as well.”

It did not take long for Stolcers to make an impact, on his debut as a half-time substitute against Swansea, he nearly combined to set up Phil Jevons with his first touch of the ball.

Then, in his second start, he scored twice in a 6-1 demolition of Oxford United at Huish Park, but it was the New Year’s Day trip to Swansea that season that sticks out as a memory for him.

He recalls: “I remember players telling me that Yeovil did not have a good record there and I spoke to a few of the lads about not allowing these things to stick in their heads.

“I told them to to put the past aside and stick to the game we knew we could play and the game plan the manager had set for us.”

The result was Yeovil won 2-0 and became one of only three sides to win at  The Vetch in the club’s final season at their old home – oh, and Stolcers scored the opener and set up Phil Jevons for the second.

The winger adds: “I loved that game in a big stadium, playing away from home where so many supporters are against you, it helps you focus and concentrate.

“I remember scoring a great goal there and then setting up Phil Jevons for the second – a brilliant performance which bred more confidence in our group.

“I think that game gave us more strength and understanding of what we could do, we wanted to be champions that year and we obviously went on to do that.”

However, having taken a drop of £14,000 a week in wages – according to manager Gary Johnson on his arrival – the winger was looking for a better deal than Yeovil were able to offer at the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

He recalls: “I wanted to stay, but I wanted to improve my contract a little bit and that did not happen.

“I felt I had given something special to influence the team’s performance, but it did not work out like that and I felt I had done enough so I left.”

Stolcers, who had signed for Fulham from Russian side Spartak Moscow in 2000, left Huish Park and joined FC Baku of Azerbaijan before returning to Latvia.

In 2009, he did have a trial at Yeovil, he recalls: “I went for a trial when Terry Skiverton was manager and I tried to get back, but he did not feel I was not good enough.”

He ended up playing for non-League Bath City and then Hayes & Yeading before retiring in 2010 and quickly got in to coaching the game.

In 2015, he was a youth team coach at Stevenage when current Yeovil boss Darren Sarll took over as Head of Youth.

Stolcers recalls: “I enjoyed my time at Stevenage and I did have a short time with Darren Sarll there, maybe three months.

“But, Darren decided he did not want to work with me, so I left – that is football, sometimes things do not work out.

“I am still coaching young players and working in schools with them, but I am ambitious to be a manager and applying for opportunities when they come up – but it is very competitive.”

 

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Where are they now? Yeovil Town manager Darren Way's first teammates at Huish Park - Somerset LiveBen Smith has spoken about his regret at leaving Yeovil Town just weeks before Gary Johnson arrived at Huish Park and started a dynasty at the club.

The former Glovers’ midfielder arrived at the club as a teenager in 1998 and was part of the Glovers’ squad which was pipped by Rushden & Diamonds for the Conference title in 2000, before leaving to join Southend United in summer 2001.

He spoke to the Gloverscast about his departure following his former Yeovil manager David Webb to Essex.

Smith said: “I look at that young, vibrant team that Gary put together and I am pretty sure I would have fitted quite well in to that and it would have helped me grow up because of the professionalism he put in place and the way the team grew together.

“I don’t see any reason why I could not have been part of that with Darren (Way) and Lee Johnson in midfield, I look at Paul Terry who went there later and did well, and I could have done that role quite easily.

“But, who knows? Gary Johnson could have said ‘No, you’re not for me’, but if you could have guaranteed me I would stay there.  If I had a one-year contract offer I would have done it 100%, but when you get the opportunity to go to a club in the league above after having a pretty poor to the end of the season, you can’t really turn it down.”

You can hear the full interview with Ben on the latest edition of the Gloverscast including his time playing under David Webb at Huish Park – listen here.

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Former Yeovil Town midfielder Ben Smith has said he believes the Glovers would have “comfortably” beaten Rushden & Diamonds to the Conference title in 2000 if manager David Webb had not left.

The former Chelsea player and manager quit in September 2000 to re-join Southend United having overseen the club’s transition from part-time to full-time football.

He left a side which went on to compete with big-spending Rushden under the management of Steve Thompson as caretaker boss and then Colin Addison, but fell six points short.

Speaking to the Gloverscast on an episode due out tomorrow, Smith said: “We had a young team and he (Webb) had us on a tight leash, whereas Colin was a really good coach, great manager good guy but he gave you a lot more freedom.

“When David was in charge, we were the fittest team (in the division). I was the fittest I have been in my whole career, that was the hardest pre-season I have ever done even after playing 17-18 years.

“That just tapered away as the season went on, especially for people like me who were not behaving themselves and getting a bit excited and we just lacked that bit of nous at the end.

“My form tailed off because I was enjoying myself too much and not training as hard as I should have done, and that was my fault not Colin’s, but at that age David Webb was certainly the right man for me at the time.”

Don’t miss the Gloverscast  on Monday to hear Ben talk about his time at Huish Park, stories from his time under David Webb and his thoughts about leaving Huish Park just before Gary Johnson‘s arrival.

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The topic of the 2013 Yeovil Town League One Play-Off team is one that often crops up around these parts, we can all recall Paddy Madden popping one in the top corner, we all know James Hayter never did get a touch on Dan Burn’s header, we all bit our fingernails to the bone and sighed in relief at everyone of Marek Stech’s wonderful saves, but this was more than just a team game – we needed a whol squad.

Maksimenko with James Healey, Paddy Madden and Kevin Dawson
(Pic thanks to Jimmer)

The image of Jamie McAllister lifting the tropy aloft will live long in the memory – but let’s not forget, he didn’t actually complete the game.

With 77 minutes on the clock, his reoccuring groin problem flared up, his broken nose had become swollen and bruised, he had to be replaced.

Defensive options on the bench that day were Richard Hinds, a wonderful central defender, but not naturally a full back and so the call went to young Latvian full back, Vitalijs Maksimenko.

We pondered on a recent episode of the Gloverscast podcast with Media Officer James Healey, what had happened the the man signed on loan from Brighton, well, I found him, dusted off some Google translate and set to work trying to get him to answer our questions… and he DID!

Vitalijs now plays in Slovenia, with NK Olimpija from the city of Ljubljana, he was part of the team that lifted the Slovenian Cup this season, he played 89 minutes in the final, a 2-1 win over FC Cejle.

 

We fired over some questions about his short spell at Huish Park, which saw him make just four appearances, one of which came at the home of football.

Vitalijs said; “That was a good time. I spent there three months on loan from Brighton. It was a good team, a good squad. I remember all the guys so yes, I really enjoyed the time there.”

Of course the deal was brokered by Gary Johnson, who is still so fondly remembered in Maksimenko’s home country, Latvia something which the full back said only made the experience better.

“He (Johnson) is a legend in Latvia, yes. Everybody still remembers him because he did a good job with national team. I thank him a lot and I really appreciate that he took me to Yeovil on loan because this was my first experience in England. He is a really good coach. He motivates and trusts his players. I have only positive words for him.”

Vitalijs made his debut against Oldham in April 2013, and would start two other league games vs Crewe and Bury as McAllister continued to recover from his injury.

But of course, his main memory comes from the showpiece final at Wembley. He was on the bench for both semi-finals, but never came on, those 25 minutes at Wembley were his time to shine

“I think that this was on of the best times in my career. Everyone dreams about playing in Wembley, especially to [be] promoted to the Championship. I started the game on the bench and in the last twenty minutes our captain McAllister was injured so I didn’t even have the time to be nervous. Everything happened quickly. I came in and we had to hold the result. We succeeded.”

“It is an honor for me to have a medal from England, from Wembley Stadium. This medal is in my home in Latvia. I am really proud to have it.”

Famously, as pointed out by James Healey on the podcast, Maksimenko couldn’t stay to enjoy the celebrations, he was called up for international duty and would play for his country against Qatar just 72 hours after the play-off final, but despite the quick exit, he said that through the power of social media, he keeps in touch with his former Glovers’ team mates.

“We are following each other on social media, Jamie McAllister, Byron Webster, Paddy Madden … Sometimes I text the guys just happy birthday or when something happens. When Jamie McAllister retired he became a coach and I texted him immediately to congratulate him and wish him all the best in his new career.”

Vitalijs Maksimenko might not be the first name that pops into your mind when you think of that side, but it probably shouldn’t be the last either, four appearances and 25 all important minutes in the final put him in the ‘Cult Hero’ category at Huish Park, he was simply happy that we had remembered him and made contact to see how he was getting on, I asked him if he has any words for the Glovers fans, and to be honest – they’re lovely.

“To Yeovil fans I would like to say in this tough time for the club that I wish that in the next couple of years Yeovil will come back to where we have been. Slowly in League 2, League One and promote as high as possible. Stick together all the time. The team needs supporters.”

A huge “paldies” (Thank you in Latvian) to Vitalijs for taking the time to answer our questions, an extra “hvala vam” (Thank you in Slovenian) to the NK Olimpija Press Officer Kristjan Pahor for all his help for making this happen.

 

Who would you like to see us track down next? which ‘cult hero’ is worthy of some dodgy translations and a few questions fired over the interweb? Let us know!

 

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Yeovil Town midfielder Charlie Lee played his last game in the green and white of Yeovil Town on Saturday, he spoke to BBC Somerset’s Tom Seymour after the game and reiterated his gratitude and delight at his time in Somerset, even if it didn’t end up in the ultimate goal of getting the Glovers promoted.

“Loved it, amazing place, really beautiful part of the country, we came down last season and we had a really good season, loved every minute”.

Whilst the first season of Lee’s time ended in a shorter than scheduled league campaign and an even shorter crack at the play-offs, this season has been very different, one which Lee suggests has been a major factor in deciding it’s time to move on

“This season, no words – it’s been an emotional season, I’m immensely proud of everyone at the club; fans, players, the manager, Terry, all the staff… when we look back at the season we will realise what a learning curve it was for everyone”.

Lee, joined Yeovil as part of a new core of players who changed the culture and brought the fans back closer to the playing staff, included in that group was Lee Collins, tributes were paid to Collins before and during the match after his sad passing in March and Lee admitted he’d found the day emotional.

“Most people who know me, know I’m always able to find a word – I’m always quite loud, in the huddle before the game, I had literally no words, having the girls (Lee Collins‘ daughters) meant so much, the family was immense, and I’m just really happy that it happened.”

Focus turned to the final game of the season, a 1-0 defeat to Stockport, but Lee was adamant that the scoreline didn’t reflect the performance.

“Yeah, I thought we deserved something out of the game, it’s been the story of our last couple of months. They’re (Stockport) a very good team, good luck to them, they’re a great group of lads, who were more than respectful and played an amazing tribute to the skipper too”

Attention then turned onto what was next for the former Stevenage man, who confirmed retirement wasn’t on his mind and that he intended to continue playing.

“I’m still going to play, I feel like I’ve got more time in me… but the last two years, with everything that has happened, living away from them (his family) has been tough, in an ideal world they would have followed me down to Somerset, but the way our lives are at the minute, they couldn’t”

“They’ve loved me being at Yeovil, but it was just time to go back. I’m really gutted, I would have loved to have stayed, but circumstances meant that I just couldn’t”

“I would love to have got Yeovil back into the league, that was my aim, that was the only reason I came to Yeovil to be honest… I’m gutted, I know with the Manager and staff and everyone here and the players that are staying, they’ll have a real good go – I wish them nothing but success”

Charlie Lee played 66 times across the two seasons, scoring five goals. – Thank you Charlie, for everything.

 

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Carl Dickinson has spoken of the bond he feels with Yeovil Town supporters as he prepares for his final game for the club this weekend.

The 34-year-old’s appearance against $tockport County at Huish Park on Saturday will also be his last as a professional footballer as he prepares to take over as player-manager for lower league, Hanley Town, from next season.

In an interview with the club’s official website, the left-back said: “I have a good bond with the fans here (at Yeovil), they realise what happened in my first year was out of my hands and I think they know deep down that I care.
“I care every day I walk through the door, I care every minute in training and I care every minute in games and I hope that comes out in my performances.
“I have not got it everything right every time, but I have tried to give it everything I have got.”

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Yeovil Town boss Darren Sarll has said next weekend’s final game of a turbulent National League season against $tockport County will just be a case of strapping up his battered and bruised side.

Speaking after the 4-3 defeat at Altrincham on Saturday, where the Glovers saw loanee Josh Neufville ruled out with a broken ankle, the manager said the return of Alex Bradley from suspension was the only positive ahead of the return of Paddy Madden to Huish Park.

Sarll and Skiverton
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll, left, with assistant, Terry Skiverton.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Sarll told BBC Somerset: “There’s nothing to do other than to try and get them fit and ready to go down the tunnel (against Stockport next weekend) and ready to go, there is no training to be done because in many ways the preparation is irrelevant because of the changes to (the position players are playing in).

“We had nine injured today and two suspended and that will be ten injured and one suspended with Alex Bradley back, and we will have to see if we can roll a few of them out.

“But that is to say that Lawson (D’Ath) recovers, Charlie (Lee) recovers, (Carl) Dickinson recovers. Dicko was running around like he was on a pogo stick at the end there and I have great admiration for that group of players that put themselves in harm’s way again.”

As well as those named by the manager, there are injuries to Jimmy Smith, Josh Staunton, Rhys Murphy, Matt Worthington and youngster Alex John whilst defender Luke Wilkinson will be missing through suspension.

Academy graduate Toby Stephens, Under 18s regular Adam Heaton and young goalkeeper Max Evans were the only three options to Sarll on the bench at Altrincham once Emmanuel Sonupe had replaced the injured Neufville.