Yate Town: Club history
The club likes to claim a history going back 114 years. As with many football clubs this is open to the debate of whether lineages are unbroken . The first club in Yate was Yate Rovers, and it indeed was formed in 1906. However it disbanded at some point between the Wars (possibly at the very beginning of the 1930s – a lot of clubs went under at this time, with the Great Depression in full swing). The next club to start up, for the 1933-34 season, was called Yate Y.M.C.A. and played in the Bristol and District League. They had one season in the Bristol Premier Combination when it was formed in 1957 before switching to the Gloucester County League in 1958. In 1959 there was a change of name to Yate Town.
In 1983 the Bluebells reached the National League System for the first time when accepted into the Hellenic League. In their second season, 1984-85, they were promoted to the Hellenic Premier League as runners-up to Pegasus Junior.
It was at this time that Yate moved grounds again. Having been at Yate Aerodrome (1954-1960) and Sunnyside Lane (1960-84) they arrived at Lodge Road, where they remain. Success continued on the pitch as Hellenic Premier League Champions in 1987-88 and 1988-89 and that saw investment off it, with some covered accommodation and then floodlights arriving at Lodge Road. This allowed the club to apply, and successfully be elected, into the Southern League.
Yate remained in the Southern League for the next two decades moving around divisions, though more because of the frequent league restructurings than because of any promotions or relegations. However in 1999-2000, after yet another restructuring saw them placed in the Southern League Western Division, they did finish bottom and were relegated back to the Hellenic League.
In 2002-03 they finished second in the Hellenic Premier but Champions North Leigh declined promotion so Yate took the Southern League place on offer. They got promoted as runners-up in 2004-05 from the Western Division into the Southern League Premier Division, their highest position in the pyramid to date. The Bluebells stayed in the SLPD for four seasons, with a best placed 6th, before being relegated to the South & West Division (yes, there had been *another* restructuring in the meantime !) in 2008-09.
In 2011 Rob Cousins (one of two Yeovil Town connections we’re aware of – let us know of any others) was appointed manager. ‘Trigger’ was in charge when Yate went on the best FA Cup run in their history to that point in 2012-13, defeating Poole Town, Winchester City, Oxford City, North Leigh and Newport County to reach the First Round Proper for the first time, before going out in a 3-0 defeat away at Cheltenham Town. League form was also pretty good, though in the end they just missed out on the play-offs.
2013-14 was also a pretty solid campaign, with a run to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup – where they went out to Gloucester City in a replay – and again didn’t miss the play-offs by much, finishing 9th. However, given rising expectations, it was ultimately probably seen as a disappointing season; and when the following one didn’t go well Cousins was shown the door in March 2015.
His replacement, Craig Laird, couldn’t produce an up-turn and only lasted until 2016. Paul Britton, a former Bristol Rovers Youth Coach, came in, rebuilt the team, and by 2018-19 Yate were seriously challenging for promotion. Having led the division for much of the season it looked like it had all blown up when automatic promotion slipped away in the final few games and they finished third. However the play-offs provided an escape route and with the defeat of Moneyfields in the semi final and Cinderford Town in the Final Yate Town had returned to the SLPD.
They struggled in this first season back, but any prospect of a relegation battle ended when the 2019-20 Southern League season was terminated early in March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. After four seasons in charge Britton decided to resign and – a rarity in football – it seems to have been an amicable departure on all sides.
Richard Thompson (Yeovil Town, 1988-90) was appointed Director of Football and given the task of selecting a new manager. His choice was Paul Michael, previously the boss at Cinderford Town for three and a half years including that play-off Final defeat to Yate. Michael brought his assistant there, Andrew Smith, with him.
So far this season Yate has made a steady start to the league campaign, with (at time of writing) 5 wins, three draws , three losses and lie in 11th. In the FA Cup the Bluebells have defeated Dorchester Town, Gosport Borough, Redhill and of course NLP whipping-boys Dover Athletic after a replay to set up this home tie with the Glovers.
Yate Town: We’ve Met Before
Previous Results for Yeovil Town First Team vs Yate Town
| DD/MM/YYYY | H/A | COMP | WLD | Score | Att | Scorers | |
| 06/11/2021 | Away | FACR1 | W | 5-0 | 1600 | Worthington 7, Wakefield 14, Gorman 29, Yussuf 48, Lo-Everton 62 |
(As far as we are aware we have never met before.)
Yate Town: Club Statistics
LAST SIX RESULTS
| DD/MM/YYY | Opposition | H/A | Comp | WLD | Score | Att | Scorers |
| 12/10/2021 | Weston-super-Mare | Away | SLPDS | W | 2-1 | 615 | Mehew 17, Tumelty 68 |
| 16/10/2021 | Dover Athletic | Away | FACQR4 | D | 1-1 | 568 | Mehew 8 |
| 23/10/2021 | Walton Casuals | Home | SLPDS | W | 3-1 | 185 | Sims-Burgess 22, Mehew 26, Harding 86 |
| 26/10/2021 | Dover Athletic | Home | FACQR4r | W | 1-0 | 934 | Harding 75 |
| 30/10/2021 | Willand Rovers | Home | FATQR3 | L | 0-2 | 240 | |
| 02/11/2021 | Salisbury | Home | SLPDS | W | 5-2 | 237 | Tumelty 9, Rees 30, Sims-Burgess 40, 68 Harding 49 |
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS
Highest League Attendance: 421
Lowest League Attendance: 148
Average League Attendance:
Yate Town: Club Information
The South West Interiors Stadium
Lodge Road
Yate
South Gloucestershire
BS37 7LE
Telephone Number: 07419 120209
Email:
Chairman: Colin Pick
Secretary: Iain Prior
Media Manager: Seb Parker
Safety Officer: Robert Lomas
Manager: Paul Michael
Capacity: 2,000
Seated: 236
Covered Terrace:
Record Attendance : 2,000 v Bristol Rovers XI, Vaughan Jones testimonial match 1990; for a competitive fixture, possibly 1,190 v Newport County, FA Cup QR4, 20/10/2012.
Colours: white shirt, blue shorts, white socks
Nickname: The Bluebells
Ticket Prices
Yate reported on Saturday (30/10) night that they have SOLD OUT the 1,600 tickets retained for sale at Lodge Road: Twitter.
Huish Park is hoping to receive our 400 350 (Yate appears to have reduced the number it initially announced ) tickets on Monday (01/11). These will be put on sale to season ticket holders only in the first instance. The club is not expecting many if any tickets to reach general sale.
Update:
Tickets will be on sale from Huish Park from 10.00 a.m. Monday 1st November.
NOTE: sales are to season ticket holders ONLY at ONE ticket per account and only in person at Huish Park ticket office or by phone on 01935 847888.
Prices:
Adults: £13
Concessions (Over 65/Under 18): £10
Update: SOLD OUT
As well as the permanent 236 covered seats at Lodge Road some temporary uncovered seating has been installed behind one of the goals: Twitter link. As ticketing is flat rate priced all seating will (presumably) be first-come-first-served.
**IMPORTANT**: Very late in the day – Friday afternoon to be precise – Yate has announced (on police insistence apparently) that the match will be SEGREGATED.
Yate Town statement:
Programme: The club has a Programme Editor so clearly produces them. Whether there will be a ‘Special Edition’ for this match and what it will cost is an unknown.
Official Away Travel
The Green & White Supporters’ Club is running away travel to Yate Town on Saturday, November 6th.
Details are as follows:
Members: £14.00
Non-Members: £16.00
Coach departs Huish Park: 11.00 a.m.
To book, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 or email him on paulhadlow@outlook.com.
If you are getting in touch by email, please make it clear which match you are booking for and that you give your full name, the names of people that are travelling and a contact telephone number.
You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat.
Yate Town: Directions To The Ground
By Road
Yate, a sprawling town of a little over 20,000 people, is to be found 12 miles north-east of central Bristol. The eastern side of Yate blends into Chipping Sodbury, with probably only locals knowing exactly where one begins and the other ends.
From Huish Park the shortest journey is 51 miles, up the A37 to Pensford, cutting across to Keynsham, then picking up the A4175 . At the Hicks Gate Roundabout take the second exit (A4174) and carry on until Wick Wick Roundabout. Here take the third exit on to the A432 to Yate. (It has to be said this is a slow old route, getting on for an hour and half for 50 miles, so if living somewhere in the area where picking up the M5 is a sensible option that may be a longer mileage but better choice in terms of time.)
On reaching the outskirts of Yate take a left on to Stover Road (B4059), which then becomes Yate Road. At the roundabout take the second exit on to Iron Acton Way. After about 300 yards you’ll probably be able to see the stadium (or at least the floodlights) on the left, but to get right to the ground drive past it and take a left on to North Road and then left again on to Lodge Road.
If travelling via the M5, leave the motorway at Junction 16 (Almondsbury Roundabout) taking the A38 (Gloucester Road). After 2.6 miles turn right on to Church Road (B4427) which then becomes B4059. Four miles after leaving the A38, at the T junction, turn left on to Yate Road. After a mile, at the roundabout take the first exit on to Iron Acton Way (see above from there).
Parking
The club has published plans for a surfaced carpark totalling 163 bays, but this looks to be very much for the future. At present all that can be seen on Google Maps is an unsurfaced area that might take 100 cars at a push. However, deducting space for officials, home players, away team coach, directors, possibly away supporter coaches, etc. can’t see much likelihood of many away fans getting a car space there.
Update: On Friday afternoon Yate confirmed there will be NO PARKING available at the ground for any fans except Blue Badge holders.
The only public carparks in town are along and just off the A432, the main road running east-west through the middle of town. The nearest to the ground are at the railway station and cost £2.00 for the day, being 0.8 of a mile (15 mins walk) from the ground. A scattering of (free) council run carparking is further away.
However, not getting the impression the town of Yate is particularly officious about parking, outside of the centre at least, so on-street nearer the ground seems likely to be findable.
By Rail
Yate railway station is 0.8 of a mile (15 minutes walk) from the ground. It is served by Great Western Railway. Rather surprisingly there are two direct services from Yeovil Pen Mill to Yate: the 09.36 if wanting to get there early (arrives 12.00); and the 12.00 if wanting to turn up later (arrives 14.00). However seeing the whole match and doing the return journey without changing would be a real rush, the last direct train departing Yate at 17.08. The next, more realistic, train departs 18.06 with a change needed at Westbury.
For Glovers travelling from London/South-East the GWR services starting out of Paddington for the West and Wales are the most likely option. All these services will require a change at Bristol Parkway. Journey time is a little over two hours.
By Bus
The nearest bus stop to the ground is North Road (though Google Maps has it as actually being just onto Goose Green Road). Anyway, it’s only a few yard from The Fox (see below) so one could probably ask for that, and thus four minutes walk from the ground. However only the No. 622 run by First Bristol appears to operate on this route on a Saturday, the others being only weekdays; and there are only four from the town centre towards the ground throughout the day… with the only one of those that runs at even a vaguely useful time being the 13.33 (from Stop A in the shopping centre), arriving North Road Stop at 13.40.
None of bus services that stop at the railway station appear to run towards the ground.
Basically the reality seems to be, if you don’t fancy the walk – get a taxi.
By Taxi
A selection of taxi firms based in Yate and the surrounding area can be found here.
Web Sites
The club’s official website can be found here. It also has a @YateTownFC Twitter presence.
Local Press
The Yate and Sodbury Gazette has a sports section.
Yate Town : Food & Drink
General
The pubs scattered around Yate are much of a muchness, mostly chain outlets of various sorts: Marston’s Two for One, Greene King’s Hungry Horse, Mitchells and Butlers Sizzling Pubs etc. Walk into almost any of them and you’ll find very much the same as in any of the others: very similar menus and a slight variation in beer brands. They’ll all do a pretty equal job, so the guide hasn’t bothered to give then a write up. The three that are described below are: the only two less than a mile from the ground – The Fox at 0.2 and Codrington Arms at 0.4; and the Wetherspoon, Thorn’s Farm, in the town centre (1.6).
For reference, in order of distance, other options are: The Swan at Nibley* (Gastropub), 1 mile; Lamb Inn (independent, in Iron Acton), 1.1 miles; The Farmhouse (Hungry Horse), 1.2 miles; The Brimsham Park (Sizzling Pubs), 1.5 miles; Lawns (family dining/carvery), 1.5 miles.
(* Any pub called “at” somewhere is always a Gastropub.)
Club Bar
The Lodge Road ground has a clubhouse. The only indications of how many it may be licenced to admit are references to it being hired out for parties of 300.
Update: Yate Town has announced its clubhouse will NOT be open to away supporters.
Local Pubs
Codrington Arms: Second closest pub to the ground, though north of it so away from the centre of town, at 0.4 miles (8 minutes walk). For what’s clearly primarily a dining pub it’s independently run and makes marginally more effort with its beers than many such places do. Has four hand pumps though usually only two are actually operating. Doom Bar is the most regular, but the other is likely to be from a brewery such as Butcombe or Otter or Box Steam. Keg offerings include Fosters, Amstel, Birra Moretti, Inch’s Hereford Cider, Orchard Thieves Cider and Guinness. Won’t bother with the food serving times for the rest of the week, but on a Saturday it is right through the day from 12.00 noon – 9.00 p.m. (with separate children’s menu). Disabled access, large beer garden, parking. Opening: noon – 11.00 p.m. every day.
Codrington Arms, 261 North Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 7LG. Tel: 01454 227222. Map: Codrington Arms.
Fox: Closest pub to the ground, just 3 minutes (0.2 of a mile) walk away. A Marston’s, in its family dining Two for One format (link ). Food served 11.30 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. every day – wide ranging menu in ‘pub grub’ style, with non-gluten, vegetarian and vegan options. Separate children’s menu. Disabled access, beer garden, children’s play area, car park. Naturally beers are mostly from Marston’s and its subsidiaries, with up to three on hand pump. From what little evidence there is only appears to have real cider on in the summer. Opening hours are from 11.00 a.m. every day, closing 10.30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11.00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Fox, Broad Lane, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 7LD. Tel: 01454 227431. Map: Fox.
Thorn’s Farm: The Spoons, that opened 2012 in central Yate shopping district which is a mile and a half (so around half an hour walk) from the ground (or see Buses and Taxis above). Step free access, outside area. Opening hours from 8.00 a.m. every day, to midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1.00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Children allowed until 9.00 p.m.
Thorn’s Farm, 11-17 South Parade, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 4BB. Tel: 01454 272500. Map: Thorns Farm.
Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You: Glarstersher, tis almost West Countree.
Top-Tip: If you’ve wangled a ticket, by fair means or foul, just be duly grateful.
Local Amenities: The common has a short stretch of dual carriageway that was begun in 1974 but doesn’t go anywhere as the money ran out. That’s about as much entertainment as one can expect in Yate.
Other Points Of Interest: There are a lot of trees at Lodge Road… a lot of trees.
[No responsibility is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]