A shortlist of candidates to be the next Yeovil Town manager are scheduled to be interviewed, owner Scott Priestnall has said.
He has also confirmed that he has spoken with the club’s players about their futures, and said his plans to put a new board of directors would “not necessarily” see him remain as chairman.
A statement – see in full here – issued on Sunday afternoon follows protests during and following the 2-1 home win over National League leaders Stockport County with the chairman adding it was “completely untrue” that he had dismissed supporters’ concerns.
On Saturday evening, videos on social media showed the chairman waving at fans who were chanting against him inside the ground after the match.
In the statement, Priestnall said: “It is being reported that I am dismissing supporter unrest and not prepared to discuss the club’s current position and future. This is completely untrue.
“My public silence and lack of attendances at games over the last few months has been to respect the process of a proposed takeover, a takeover that has been made very public by the Glovers Trust. I have given the process nine months to allow parties to get themselves in a position to complete, without success.”
The statement added: “While I understand the frustrations of those unhappy at yesterday’s game, there is a lot of misinformation on social media. I hope supporters can understand that I am not always in a position to refute online claims.
“Historically I have found my attempt to correct those claims has often led to further negativity and not as productive as I would have liked, which is my prime reason for silence.”
Ahead of yesterday’s game, the chairman spoke to a group of supporters in the Alec Stock Lounge in an address which was videoed and will be released “in the next few days“, according to the chairman. Some elements of the address can be read – here – however, we have been told a further three questions were put to and answered by the chairman.
Of the address, Priestnall said: “I discussed how I am putting a new board together, a board where I would not necessarily be Chairman going into next season. That the ownership structure of the club would change to create a more collective and shared thinking approach. Those discussions have included key supporters of the club and prominent business people who want to be involved in delivering a long term plan for YTFC.
“I also confirmed to supporters that I have been communicating with players and their representatives regarding player contract extensions. I have also scheduled interviews with our shortlist for the first team manager position, as it is crucial to have the right person in place going into the close season to fully maximise our player recruitment.”
In recent weeks, a number of the club’s players have spoken publicly about the uncertainty around the off-the-field situation at Huish Park, with the owner not having been seen at a match since January before his appearance this weekend.
Midfielder Josh Staunton called for clarity over the future of the club’s players which is understood to leave only defender Morgan Williams contracted to the club beyond the end of the current season.
In an interview broadcast on BBC Radio Somerset ahead of the Stockport game, defender Mark Little also spoke out about the soap opera surrounding the club.
He said: “For us trying to put performances on the pitch is like a battle, then there’s things going on and around that makes it difficult to perform.
“For some players it doesn’t matter, but for other players have lost their mentor, they don’t know if they’re here next year, with a team game whether one or 11 players are affected, it would be easier if everyone knew what was going on and the club could move forward.
“No-one here says that’s not what we want. It would be much better if there was no Coronation Street and Emmerdale situation.“