Huish Park

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Chairman Martin Hellier has targeted a return to the Football League as he looks to take the club back in to the National League this season.

The local businessman, who took over at Huish Park in May, said he had spent “a disproportionate amount” of money on the playing budget to assist manager Mark Cooper with getting out of National League South.

Going in to this weekend’s home fixture with Worthing, the Glovers need three more points from their remaining fixtures to secure promotion at the first attempt.

Speaking to Radio Ninesprings’ Steve Haigh, the chairman said: “We have got to be measured and the pace has got to be right. There are always going to be financial implications to any of it and we have to continue to optimise it.

“I would say we put a disproportionate amount of money towards hopefully getting us out of this league, I don’t mind that and I would always have done that, but (if we go up) we have to do it right and take stock.

“I would like to get out of the (National League) as soon as possible because there is more financial rewards from getting in to League Two. The 3G across the road, the academy and all of that, we would receive funding for and if we hang around for a few seasons in League Two, I could live with that and I reckon fans can as well for a while.

 

Chairman Martin Hellier. Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

“We need to try and drive the club towards sustainability, we need to consider what we are doing with the land surrounding the stadium which is sympathetic to the club.

“Whatever I would do with that (land) would be to create lifelong income streams in to the club. You cannot have a footprint the size of this and base everything on what happens on a matchday, it is not enough.

“Keith Weston, our Head of Stadium Operations, has really brought on the room hires and hospitality in leaps and bounds, and even my boy, Jack, has done so much with the bars, food and hospitality and, of course, the volunteers and all the staff have all played their part.

“I would like to try and keep the same trajectory. It is football, so we have to be realistic, but hopefully we do not spend more than one season in the National League Premier – it might be two, who knows? But League Two is where I want to be.”

“It is football, so we have to be realistic. But League Two is where I want to be.”

He said that the long-term success of the club relied upon a solid business model behind it and claimed it Yeovil Football & Athletic Club, the club’s football operations business, was being “financially mismanaged” when he acquired it from former owner <NAME REDACTED> almost a year ago.

The latest accounts for the club published last month show the club lost £1.5m when it was relegated from the National League last season and was being funded by the owners and a loan from the Sports Council.

The chairman said that, even if they secure promotion this season, he did not see the playing budget increasing next season.

He said: “We will put everything in to maintaining the same trajectory as we are now but, if we go up, you will have 11 better players playing against us. I certainly do not anticipate the player budget being any higher, we all have had to make efficiencies, that goes for player budget, staffing budget and everything.

“You can sustain that number of people, but where it could fall apart is who is running the business. A football club needs great players, but if it has terrible business people running it, it doesn’t matter. I am aware of our ascent up to the Championship and all the way back down again and there was millions of pounds coming in then. In the Championship, you are talking about £6.5m coming in to this club. Well, I have looked everywhere and I can’t find it. When I came in to the club, it was being financially mismanaged beyond any business I have ever looked at when

“You have to have some astute people behind the scenes and therefore I have to assume there wasn’t those people. I believe if the model is right, it will work but there are so many cogs and if one of those is broken, it effects the whole machine.”

Huish Park is currently owned by Somerset Council.

He also reiterated his intention to buy back the land surrounding Huish Park from Somerset Council, which bought it from the previous chairman <NAME REDACTED> for £2.8m.

The owner holds the exclusive buy-back on the stadium and surrounding land at the site which runs until 17th May 2026, and will pay £195,000-a-year in rent until he activates that option.

He added: “There is no point in me buying that land back when I have not planned what I am doing with it. I am quite happy for it to be in the ownership of the council now, but it is my ambition to reunite that land with this club.

“It should never have been separated. It was separated to sell to someone to build houses on and that is fine if the income from that sale came in to the club, but it never would have.

“One of our biggest achievements was getting the buy-back rights on the land. If you can imagine the kind of effort which goes in to turning this club around this season has taken, you barely have time to think about it.

“But I am certainly not going to continue to rent a load of fields and watch people walk their dogs on them every morning.

“I don’t think there is much negotiation to do on that. The last chairman sold it to the council for £2.8m, the rent we pay represents 8% of what that would be, the land was index-linked so that £2.8m is probably £3.2m now.

“You also have a council in term freefall in terms of finances. If only they ran councils like businesses, you wouldn’t have five blokes on a roundabout looking at a daffodil!“

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Visitors using any car park at Huish Park will now pay £3 for eight hours parking, the club has confirmed.

It has employed Parkingeye, which manages car parks across the country, to manage the charging which will be monitored by cameras installed on car parks at the stadium.

In a statement on Monday, the club confirmed that charges were now enforceable 24/7 with a 20-minute grace period for anyone using places such as the club shop or ticket office.

It added: “We’ve teamed up with Parkingeye to enable visitors to pay via card rather than just cash when they come to Huish Park. This should streamline the process for matchday visits.”

Visitors can pay using the Evology Parking app on their smartphone – download here – pre-pay or pay at meters at the club.

The club has also confirmed that parents whose children attend events such as Talent ID Centres and fans travelling with the Green & White Supporters’ Club on official travel to away matches have been communicated with to “follow a procedure on site which sees them exempt.”

They added: “Those hiring the 3G surface at Huish Park will not be exempt from charges unless agreed in their initial agreement.“

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Yeovil Town have the chance to go 13 unbeaten as they welcome Dover Athletic to Huish Park.

The Glovers have been emphatic recently, beating their past 12 opponents, which equals a club record. This side will want the top spot though and with a win at the weekend, they will surpass the 1963 team’s long-standing 12-game winning streak.

Dover Athletic however will be hoping to play the role of party poopers and in turn, change their fortunes. Currently sat 23rd in the league (second bottom) the Kent team will want to get their season back on track with a victory against table-topping Yeovil.

Yeovil Town News

Boss Mark Cooper feels all the pressure will be on his side when they take on Dover. He said: “There’s no pressure on them, they can relax a little bit and do what they do and try and be the ones to end the run.”

The ex-Swindon manager made it clear his team “are concentrating on themselves” and will “keep trying to put points on the board.”

Cooper also talked about how solid the back line has been recently. He said: “The back four has been really settled, it looks like a really competent back four and long may that continue.”

The 54-year-old kept his cards close to his chest when talking about injuries, stating “There were a few knocks and bruises.”

Jordan Young and Jake Hyde were both on target in the 2-0 win over W*ymouth.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In-form striker Jake Hyde spoke about the difficulties the Glovers will face on Saturday. He said: “They’ll be a very tough side to beat in set-pieces and they will be organised… but we just have to concentrate on us.”

Rhys Murphy, Alex Whittle, Charlie Cooper and Matty Worthington are all one yellow card away from suspension.

Jamie Sendle-White still misses out through injury.

Dover Athletic Team News

Manager Mitch Brundle spoke to Dover Athletic TV after their game against Welling United. He said: “We need to start winning games, regardless of who we play against, we need to go there and try and win the game. There is no pressure off in any game, my job is to go there and try to get a result.”

He continued: “I started my youth career there so it’s going to be strange standing in the dugout. I want to go there and win. I want my team to perform and be proud when I walk away.”

One player to watch for the Kent side is Zidan Sutherland who has bagged four goals so far this campaign.

Another former Glover Iffy Allen misses out on a return to Huish Park as he serves the last game of his three-match suspension.

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Yeovil Town will want to carry on their good form on Tuesday night as they play host to local rivals W*ymouth in the National League South. 

The Glovers are currently on an eight game winning streak, and three points against The Terras could see them potentially open a six point gap on second place Bath City.

Weymouth will be a tough proposition for the Somerset side as they haven’t lost in the league since the fifth of September. However they have only won two of their last five league games.

Yeovil Town News

Mark Coopers men have looked dangerous over the last 10 games and their current form is up there with the best in Europe. Another win for the Somerset team will see them join the likes of Fenerbahce and PSV Eindhoven on a nine game winning streak.

The in form player for Yeovil has been striker Rhys Murphy, who after rejoining the club in the summer has gone on to score six goals in twelve games.

Rhys Murphy slots home his penalty.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Another player who has found form in the early part of the season is Jordan Young. The young forward, who joined in January, found it difficult to adjust to life in the National League. However the Scotsman has relished his role playing off the wing or in behind the striker so far this campaign.

Yeovil have no new injuries or suspensions to worry about, however Murphy and Alex Whittle both sit on four yellow cards so will need to be careful.

W*ymouth Team News

Weymouth will be relishing the chance to get one over their bitter rivals, especially if it means putting an end to Yeovil’s incredible run of form.

Manager Bobby Wilkinson has called on his supporters to make themselves heard at Huish Park. He said: “ The fans have always been a 12th man since the day I came in… I’m calling on the fans to be loud and proud.”

Wilkinson feels his team will have to play “good football” to get the fans going and “will try everything to make them proud on the night”.

The key man for the South coast side will be striker Dan Roberts who found himself in the National League South side team of the week for his performance against Eastbourne Borough.

Another player of note for The Terras is 19-year-old Italian forward Ezio Touray, who has impressed since joining. The ex-Watford player has scored three goals in four games so far this season.

The ex-Bracknell boss will have a full squad to pick from as well. Wilkinson himself is back on the touch line after serving a one game suspension.

Note from writer: I’d like to formally apologise to the readers. Unfortunately I was unable to write this article mentioning that teams name without asterisk. Please forgive me.

 

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The minutes of the latest meeting of the Yeovil Town Supporters’ Alliance Group have shown further investment in security at Huish Park.

The meeting, held at the stadium on September 25th, show the club’s new Operations manager Keith Weston spoke to supporters’ groups about the investment and confirmed there had been “some club bans“.

In a response to a question from Glovers’ Trust chairman Roger Pipe at the meeting, the minutes show Mr Weston reported: “KW explained that there were no issues. He works closely with the police. There has been a lot of investment in security at the stadium including face recognition, some club bans, access control systems installed and bollards have been placed in various areas.”

In his opening remarks to the meeting, the chairman explained: “….that he acquired the club on 12 May and in 4 months had set up the fan zone, decorated Huish Park and sorted the finances. We have had the highest attendances in the league, both home and away, and the number of season tickets sold is up on previous seasons.”

Asked by Roger Pipe whether attendances had influenced budgeting, the minutes show: “MH replied that they had not. Cup games are a bonus.”

The owner also confirmed increased sales in the tea bars: “Card payment has been introduced and there is less wastage on hot food.”

Keith Weston also told the meeting the club was “looking at introducing new deals and Sunday lunches” having taken on a chef.

The minutes show: “The club is looking at growing hospitality events such as Xmas parties, weddings, conferences and meetings. The marquee will have a bar and there will be a catering unit on leaving the ground behind the Screwfix stand. New licencing procedures are being put in place.”

In a sign of the positive state of the club, questions about its financial stability and the ownership of the stadium by Somerset Council were limited.

Chairman Martin Hellier had led an overhaul of the club’s stadium since taking over in May.
Picture courtesy of Iain Morland.

The investment is the latest in a series of improvements led by owner Martin Hellier including a overhaul of the stadium and the establishment of the Ciderspace Fan Zone.

In his opening remarks to the meeting, the chairman explained: “….that he acquired the club on 12 May and in 4 months had set up the fan zone, decorated Huish Park and sorted the finances. We have had the highest attendances in the league, both home and away, and the number of season tickets sold is up on previous seasons.”

Asked by Roger Pipe whether attendances had influenced budgeting, the minutes show: “MH replied that they had not. Cup games are a bonus.”

The owner also confirmed increased sales in the tea bars: “Card payment has been introduced and there is less wastage on hot food.”

Keith Weston also told the meeting the club was “looking at introducing new deals and Sunday lunches” having taken on a chef.

The minutes show: “The club is looking at growing hospitality events such as Xmas parties, weddings, conferences and meetings. The marquee will have a bar and there will be a catering unit on leaving the ground behind the Screwfix stand. New licencing procedures are being put in place.”

In a sign of the positive state of the club, questions about its financial stability and the ownership of the stadium by Somerset Council were limited.

In the minutes, the chairman was asked if there was an progress on triggering the buy-back he holds on the land at Huish Park.

The minutes showed he “explained that he has the buy back rights and will do it when he feels it is right.”

 

The minutes of the latest Supporters’ Alliance meeting, held on September 25th, have been published by the Glovers’ Trust.

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Yeovil Town Badge on huish park

Yeovil Town return to league action this weekend in a top end of the table clash, as they face Aveley at Huish Park.

High flying Town have been in good form, going unbeaten in the month of September after a somewhat difficult start to the season. The Glovers will be looking to take their winning streak to six in all competitions, with a win over the visitors.

The Millers, promoted from the Isthmian League Premier Division in last May’s play-offs, have enjoyed a great start to life in the National League North. Since winning promotion, they won six of their first eight matches including beating Gary Johnson’s Torquay United on home soil (Gloverscast rules prevent us from saying what kind of surface Aveley play on – but rubber crumb may be more prevalent than soil!) and winning 1-0 away at Maidstone United.

Of the three teams relegated out of the National League Premier, only the Glovers remain – can the new boys make it 3/3 on Saturady?

Yeovil Town FC News

Boss Mark Cooper is expecting a tough game against a team who he suspects will be up for it after making the FA Cup fourth qualifying round with a 2-1 win at local rivals Hornchurch in a midweek third qualifying round replay on Tuesday night.

He said: “They’ve had great start… we’re expecting a tough game, they’ll try to play on the front foot.

“They had a good win in extra time midweek to get through [in the FA Cup] and play Barnet in the next round.”

However the Glovers’ boss wants his side to “keep the home run going” and to give the home faithful “another performance to cheer about.”

Cooper doesn’t feel the extra minutes played in midweek will mean much. He said: “They would have been training anyway. I think when they turn up here, see the stadium, the pitch and the crowd, it will give them a lift.”

Mark Cooper speaks to the media.

Striker Frank Nouble spoke about the teams desire to keep their current purple patch going. He said: “We are on a run of five games in row we have won. We want to keep that going.

“It’s just another game for us to showcase what we can do. But keep winning is the most important thing for us.”

The Glovers have no players suspended with Matt Worthington expected to return and striker Jake Hyde available after missing the FA Cup win over Didcot Town last weekend.

Cooper was not giving anything away in his pre-match presser on Thursday, but said his squad have “some bumps and bruises.”

He was without defender Jamie Sendles-White and midfielder Jordan Stevens through injury against Didcot and revealed after the match that Michael Smith and Charlie Cooper had been injury doubts.

Aveley FC

The man to watch for The Millers is midfielder Siju Odelusi who has scored five goals in the league from midfield this season. Former Southend United striker Matt Rush is another player to keep a close eye on. Rush has been in good form recently scoring the winner in midweek win at Hornchurch

There are no suspensions for the visitors, but club Media Manager Joe Stackable told us that captain Harry Gibbs took “a few knocks” in the first match against his former side, Hornchurch, seven days ago. Whether that makes him a doubt for the match at Huish Park or not remains to be seen.

He said: “We’ve had pretty much the same team since the start of the season with a few changes here and there, but it doesn’t matter if you start or do not feature, you are a part of the club.

“For us the game starts on the coach, there’s going to be a lot of games of Monopoly being played, Uno and whatever!”

If you are looking for a bit of hope going in to this game, after their 1-0 win at Maidstone at the start of September, Aveley have lost 2-0 at Slough Town and draw 1-1 at home to Braintree Town in their last two National League South matches.

Around those they had two games to see off King’s Lynn Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round, before dispatching Hornchurch on Tuesday night after drawing the first match 2-2 last weekend.

You can hear our chat with Joe on our new Saturday morning feature ‘In the opposition camp’ which you can find wherever you get your podcasts.

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Yeovil Town will want to extend their winning streak to three games, as they welcome Maidstone United to Somerset on Saturday.

Following a hard-fought win against Truro City in midweek, the Huish Park faithful will be hoping for a better display of football against one of last seasons other relegated sides from the National League Premier. The Stones, however, are no pushovers sitting two places below Town on goal difference just three games in to the National League South season.

Having won their opening day match over a ten-man Slough Town, they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Bath City last weekend before bouncing back with a 2-1 at Braintree Town on Tuesday night.

In the two previous fixtures this century between the clubs both games have ended as score draws. With the most recent game finishing 2-2 at Huish Park last February when a header from visiting defender Jerome Binnom-Williams saw the Kent side snatch a late point – but, fear not, the giant centre-half was released in the summer!

Yeovil Town News

Manager Mark Cooper believes the “attractive football will come” after complaints from some sections of the fanbase, following Tuesday nights dogged victory over Truro. Speaking on Thursday, he said: “It is the way I feel we can dominate teams with the ball and we had spells the other night..we have a lot of work to do, but we will get better.”

Cooper also claimed that Bristol City loanee Olly Thomas may be contention for the starting XI after his super sub performance against Truro. He said: “Every game there is going to be opportunities for someone to stake a claim in the team and Olly [Thomas] certainly did that.” 

Olly Thomas.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In terms of the opposition, the former Barrow boss made it clear that everyone at the club “respects who they play against“. He went on to say: “They [Maidstone] have their strengths, like every team, but we have to make sure we stick to what were going to do.”

After sustaining a dead leg in the first half against Truro defender Morgan Williams is a doubt for this game, whilst midfielder Jordan Stevens, who Cooper said was previously targeting this game for a comeback, recently underwent a scan which has pushed his comeback date further back albeit by “days rather than weeks.”

Maidstone United News

The long trip from Kent to Somerset is Maidstone’s third away fixture out of a run of four with their Gallagher Stadium home switched to Huish Park due to building work to restore the matchday control room and a toilet block.

Having gone down to a 3-0 defeat at Jerry Gill’s Bath City in their second match, the Stones bounced back with a 2-1 win at Braintree Town in midweek and captain Gavin Hoyte said he believed the drubbing last weekend helped them get a result in their last outing.

He told Kent Online: “It’s a funny thing to say, but it can be a good thing for the team to lose because it brings you back to reality. Sometimes, without meaning to do it, players do get a bit ahead of themselves.” With these words in mind, let’s hope for more of these ‘good things’ from the visitors on Saturday!

Hoyte, who started his career in the Arsenal academy, said he believes the weekend’s clash with Yeovil will be a “good test” for his team-mates.

He said: “They’ve come down, like us, and they’ve got to adapt to the league. I don’t know if they’ve been at this level before [We have, Gav, albeit not for quite a while}.

“I’m not sure how many players they’ve kept from last season but they will be a strong side and they always have been. You do look out for these games a little bit but you put it to the back of your mind because it’s just another game.

“Playing early in the season, there’s perhaps not the same pressure as there might be later on, depending on where we are in the table. It could ease the pressure playing at this stage but that goes for both teams.

“Everyone will still be looking at this game, where we’ve both come down, and saying, ‘Wow, Maidstone are doing well’ or ‘Yeovil are looking strong’.”

Talking to Stones TV after their midweek win at Braintree, manager and former Wolves defender George Elokobi spoke about making sure his players were ready for a tough trip to Somerset. He said: “It’s all about the recovery process now, ensuring that our players will be ready for Yeovil.” The former Premier League defender continued: “We have to show respect to our next opponent [Yeovil Town]… it’s a tough place to go and we have to be resilient and stay organised.”

Elokobi has brought in seven new signings over the summer including striker Ogo Obi, once dubbed “the Nigerian Messi” by a (perhaps over-excited) journalist during his time in Watford’s academy, although he did have a trial with Manchester United having been prolific at youth level for the Hornets. In more recent years, he’s been prolific in the lower reaches of non-League football with spells at Hemel Hempstead, Hanwell Town and Hayes & Yeading.

 

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Yeovil Town will be looking to put a poor opening day performance behind them as they face St Albans in the first game at Huish Park this season.

After what has been a turbulent week off the pitch for the Glovers, the playing staff will be hoping they can right some of the wrongs of the last week with a win.

The Saints however come in to the game off a 2-1 win against Towns bitter rivals W*ymouth.

Yeovil Town News:

Manager Mark Cooper expressed his desire to show what his team are “really about”. He said: “We were miles away from where we need to be and I know that and the work this week has been trying to refocus and get the boys in to a place where they can have a platform to showcase their ability.”

Cooper was not happy with his teams decision making in the final third last week. He said: “We picked so many wrong selections of passes and crosses last week that it was always going to be difficult for us to score.”

 

Yeovil Town manager Mark Cooper speaking to the media.

The former Forest Green Rovers boss referenced the fact “Jake Hyde was available for selection” as a reason for a turnaround in his sides attacking play against St Albans.

Cooper also backed local boy Will Buse, “to thrive off the home crowd” this weekend after his mix up with Zac Bell led to the Hemel Hempstead goal.

Jordan Stevens is the only player unavailable for selection through injury.

St Albans News

Speaking to St Albans YouTube after their win against W*ymouth, manager David Noble spoke about the up coming match against the Glovers. He said: “We will go watch their game from today and go from there. We’re just focusing on ourselves, it’s a tough, but we have to play everyone at some point.”

Noble, who had a loan spell at Yeovil in 2009, has another former Glover in Shaun Jeffers at his disposal. However, after scoring 27 goals last season for the Saints, he has found himself on the bench for the opening game and most of preseason. This is down to Noble preferring players who “run rather than score goals” according to the “A Podful of Saints” podcast.

The Hertfordshire side have quality in their ranks outside of Jeffers, with central midfielder Ryan Blackman a key player for the Saints. After joining in January, Blackman quickly became a fan favourite helping guide his side to the playoffs last year.

Left Back Ben Wyatt, is touch and go after picking up a slight knock.

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Two new sponsors and a fresh new look to Huish Park has been unveiled as the first (and only) pre-season friendly of the campaign draws nearer.

On Friday, Commercial Director Mark Robinson unveiled car dealership Vertu Motors as the sponsor of a impressive new look for the dug-out area at the club and Dorset Vehicle Rentals as sponsors of the Copse Road away terrace and back of the shirt sponsor for the upcoming season.

It was the new dug-outs which really caught the eye of supporters when pictures were posted on social media with two rows of modern-looking seating replacing the old-style dug outs which have been at the stadium since it opened more than 30 years ago!

You don’t have to be a self-confessed fan of pitchside furniture to say they look lovely!
Picture: @teamrobbo39

The club’s announcement of the partnership with Vertu Motors, which has a Land Rover dealership just down the road from Huish Park, promises to bring “mutual benefits” for the two parties.

Robert McGarva, Head of Business at Vertu Yeovil Land Rover, added: “This collaboration allows us to further engage with our customers and showcase our commitment to excellence in both automotive and community-driven initiatives.”

We’ve no idea what an ‘automotive initiative’ is, Robert, but if it means anything like those dugouts, we’re all for it!

Dorset Vehicle Rentals has been a familiar face among the sponsors at Huish Park for a number of years and its branding now adorns the away terrace and the back of shirts which will be worn for the upcoming campaign.

Adam Young, the company’s Head of Rental Operations, described the agreement as “a proud moment” for the company which has bases in Yeovil, Dorchester…..and somewhere just south of Dorchester which we won’t talk about.

He added: “As a local brand, it is important for us to celebrate our community, and what better way than showing our support for Yeovil Town Football Club with such a big statement.

“We are great, long-term supporters of the team and we wish them the best of luck this coming season.”

On behalf of us here at the Gloverscast and, judging from the reaction of supporters on social media, we say a huge ‘well done’ to everyone involved in these deals – add that to the feel good factor pile!

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Yeovil Town winger Callum Harriott‘s short spell in Somerset has come to an end after the club announced his departure, with both parties agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract.

The news comes after the Gloverscast revealed he had been called up on international duty by Guyana for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary rounds.

The 29-year-old originally arrived at Huish Park in March on “a short-term deal” with an option to extend for an extra year at the time SU Glovers, led by Matt Uggla, were attempting (ultimately unsuccessfully) to turn their “stewardship” of the club in to a takeover.

The ex-Colchester United and Charlton Athletic player man did make a small impact in the three games he he did play for the Glovers scoring one goal in the 1-1 draw with Aldershot Town on Good Friday.

All at Gloverscast wish Callum the best in the future.