Tom Knowles

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Tom Knowles wanted to leave Yeovil Town when League Two Walsall came in for him on the eve of the new season, according to Glovers’ boss Chris Hargreaves.

The forward scored ten times in 46 appearances for the Glovers last season and that form caught the eye of the Saddlers – perhaps when they came to check out their own loanee midfielder Sam Perry during pre-season.

Asked about the decision to sell one of his main assets just 48 hours before the opening day trip to Scunthorpe United, Hargreaves told BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins the situation was “not ideal.”

Chris Hargreaves talks to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins ahead of the 2-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United.

He added: “I have only got good things to say about (Tom), he was brilliant with me and always gave it everything, I didn’t want to lose him and the football club didn’t but an amount of money was offered and the player wanted to go.

“You have to let it be about the player’s decision because you don’t want an unhappy player. I’m not saying he would have been but sometimes things are out of my hands and all I can focus on now is the players I have got.

“They are the ones who are working hard to get in to the team and now I have to work on finding that person who replaces Tom and can be our match-winner and talisman who can turn something in to nothing in the final third.”

Asked whether he had been made any assurances that the funds from the transfer would be available to strengthen the squad, the manager said chairman Scott Priestnall had “made it clear” he would be supported.

Hargreaves added: “The likelihood of Tom going at the end of the season was high, so a decision had to be made at some point. As manager I can only focus on what is in front of me, I didn’t want him to go but we have got to move on, we wish him all the best and we have to focus on what we have now.”

Following the departure of Knowles, Hargreaves brought in 19-year-old Matt Grivosti on a youth loan from Bolton Wanderers. The length of the loan was not disclosed.

Grivosti joins goalkeeper Will Buse (Bristol City), defender Finley Craske (Plymouth Argyle) and midfielders Sam Perry (Walsall) and Sam Pearson (Bristol City) who make up the other four loanees at Huish Park.

In terms of permanent arrivals, strikers Alex Fisher and Malachi Linton and full-back Jamie Reckord have joined in the summer having been released by Newport County, Wycombe Wanderers and Boreham Wood respectively.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News


Tom Knowles, Picture Courtesy of Mike Kunz

Yeovil Town forward Tom Knowles has joined Walsall for an “undisclosed fee and future add-ons” the club have confirmed.

Knowles, who joined from Cambridge United in November 2020, has been a star for the Glovers ever since scoring 18 goals.

In a comment to YTFC.net the ‘Board of Directors’ said:

“We are extremely disappointed to lose Tom’s services. The club did all it could to convince Tom to stay, making him a significantly improved contract offer that would take his existing deal to the end of the 2023-2024 season.

“However, Tom expressed a desire to play at a higher level and consequently rejected the new contract offer. Under these circumstances, the Club has decided it was in the mutual best interests of the player and Yeovil Town to allow Tom to pursue his career in EFL League 2 if acceptable compensation could be negotiated.

“Agreement on the financial terms of Tom’s transfer has now been reached with Walsall FC and the Club would like to place on record its thanks to Tom for his past contribution to the team and wish him well in the future.”

This is of course an absolute hammer blow to the Glovers’ plans for the new season.

Thanks for all you’ve done for the Glovers and good luck at Walsall, Tom.

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Tom Knowles will be a Yeovil Town player next season after the club triggered a clause in his contract.

Tom Knowles in action for Yeovil Town.
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

The forward finished the season as the Glovers’ top-scorer with 11 goals after finding the net in the final day win at Altrincham earlier this month.

He joins first-team regulars goalkeeper Grant Smith, defenders Max Hunt and Morgan Williams and midfielder Josh Staunton as players confirmed at Huish Park for next season, with youngsters Toby Stephens and Ollie Haste also contracted to the club.

The 23-year-old joined on undisclosed terms from Cambridge United in November 2020 and has been a regular in the starting line-up ever since, scoring 18 times in 82 games across all competitions.

We can all fall in love for at least one more season!

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Tom Knowles believes he has learned a lot from a “carnage” season as a key part of Yeovil Town‘s season.

The forward has played 44 times this season, surpassing his 38 appearances last season, and believes he has learnt a lot since joining in November 2020.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s final home game against Boreham Wood, the 23-year-old admitted the current campaign has been a tough one.

He said: “One of the main reasons I came down to Yeovil was to be in a first-team environment and to learn as much as I can about the game.

“I think I have done that in abundance because I think anything that could happen in football has happened to me during my time here.

“You have just got to learn as much as you can and take it all in your stride and learning off the senior players here really helps.

“They have been on this journey before so they can help you and guide you whilst you are learning about yourself. It has been tough but I have enjoyed it.”

The former Cambridge United man is one of a number of Glovers’ players who are out of contract come the end of this season, but said he hopes the side can sign off with victory over Boreham Wood in the final home game of the campaign this weekend.

He said: “It’s been a tough year for several different reasons and we know how football can bring everyone together.

“So if we can end with a high at home in front of our fans that will leave everyone with a positive feeling going in to the summer and looking forward to next year.“

Going in to that game, Knowles is on nine goals and admits he would like to take it to double figures with two more National League matches remaining.

He said: “I have never hit double figures before in my career so that would be nice, but as long as I am a cog in the wheel that helps the team win, I am happy. If I am the one that scores, sets one up or blocks one on the line, I am happy.”

What did we tell you, folks? Don’t fall in love with footballers?

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News
Tom Knowles turns home the second in the 2-0 home win over Southend. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

In perhaps the least surprising news of the week, Tom Knowles has been named in the Vanarama Team of the Week.

Knowles has been performing well for a while now and bagged another goal in the 2-2 vs Barnet.

Don’t fall in love with footballers.

Full team below.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Tom Knowles said the team performance Yeovil Town put in to secure a 2-0 win over Southend United typified former captain Lee Collins.

The fixture comes just days before the first anniversary of the death of the centre half and Huish Park marked his passing with his daughters, Amelia, Laila and Charley-Mae, mascots for the game.

Tom Knowles celebrates with Charlie Wakefield after scoring the second goal against Southend. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the win, Knowles said: “He was a leader on and off the pitch. Seeing his little girls and his family here sends a shiver down your spine, so to put in a team performance for him that is so important.

“What this club has gone through, it has connected us so much and we all still feel his presence here and the gaffer constantly reminds us what Lee was on and off the pitch.

“He wants that in our team so I am really happy we have done that for him today.”

Knowles scored his seventh of the season with an eighth minute strike to put the Glovers 2-0 ahead after an opener from Reuben Reid, and said both he and his team-mates are playing with confidence.

He said: “I feel a lot more confident in myself and hopefully I am showing that on the pitch, and we are feeling that as a team, playing with a lot more freedom and confidence.

“The past couple of months we know we have not been at the races and we’ve been disappointed not to get the results, so it is always pleasing when we have played well to get three points and that’s what we are here to do.”

The win saw Yeovil leap-frog Southend in to the top half of the National League table, 11 points off the play-off places, with nine games remaining.

Knowles did not quite go as far as saying they could still make a push for the top seven, but he certainly still has a motivation to pick up wins.

He added: “There’s still 27 points to play for and the more we can pick up, we will always look up and see where we can get too.

“You have to beat teams around you and in the next few weeks we’ll be looking to gain an advantage over other teams.

“We have to go in to every game with confidence because on any given day we can beat any team in this league. We’ve had great performances against teams above us, and we have to go in every game looking for three points.”

 

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News, Player interviews
Tom Knowles in action
Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Yeovil Town forward Tom Knowles spoke to BBC Somerset’s Sheridan Robins after the 1-1 draw with Notts County and despite being on the wrong end of 94th minute equaliser, he said he and squad weren’t too downbeat.

“There’s a lot of positives we can take from that, I think we were the better team for the vast majority of the game, and we’ve been (doing) so well at defending our box all season, so it’s disappointing to concede the goal in that way.

“We’re very positive after that, although it’s disappointing not to get all three points, it’s a great result away at Notts County.”

Knowles echoed the manager’s thoughts that the group is working hard as a unit and that the squad a brilliant to be around, even if the likelihood of a play-off place is getting smaller by the game.

“It’s something that we all buy into, we do it for each other, we run our legs into the ground and we know that when we get taken off, that someone else is going to come on and do exactly the same. We are going to give absolutely everything into every game.”

Knowles was asked about the lack of goals this season and he was sure they would come eventually.

“I think that’s the frustrating part for us boys up top is that, we are all working so hard and the final bit is the final third, the last bit in front of goal, so I’m sure when one comes the floodgates will open, and we will start scoring and flying.”

The former Cambridge United man was taken off towards the end, but the front man confirmed, it was nothing too serious and was already looking forward to playing Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night.

“The fans really get behind us there (Huish Park) and we will definitely want to put on a show for them and the ones that travel – we are so thankful for their support because Nottingham isn’t exactly around the corner from Yeovil, nor is Chesterfield. 

“The support has been brilliant the last couple of games so get back in front of our home fans and put on a show.”

Much like Darren Sarll, he reiterated his enjoyment at playing in this squad and was hoping for more success with this group.

“I love it, I love the dressing room, everyone of us are buying into the exact same thing and we all want the exact same outcome, we all get on on and off the pitch and when the results start coming on the pitch we will fly, I’m sure of it.”

You know what they say… “don’t fall in love with footballers…”

…too late.

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News
Tom Knowles, who has five goals so far this season.

The Football Association have confirmed the one-match suspensions of Mark Little and Tom Knowles.

Little was shown two yellow cards on Saturday against Woking, whilst Tom Knowles picked up his fifth booking of the season in the same game… his first one since mid-October.

Knowle’s booking has been listed as a “Time Wasting – Delaying the Restart” booking, hence Darren Sarll’s “dopey” comment post match. 

With the Glovers having now completed 23 league games the ‘5-yellow card’ suspension rules has ended with those picking up their tenth still expected to miss two games.

Both Little and Knowles will be absent for the visit of W*ymouth on Tuesday night but will be available again at the weekend.

 

 

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Yeovil Town forward Tom Knowles believes playing as part of a front three generated “some of the best attacking football of the season” against Wrexham last weekend.

The forward was paired alongside Charlie Wakefield and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in that match and put his side ahead with a stunning first half opener.

Tom Knowles, who has five goals so far this season.

Speaking to the Gloverscast ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Woking, Knowles said: “I think we played some of our best attacking football last weekend, we created a lot of chances, we just needed to score a couple more.

“I played predominantly on the right last week which was nice because I had been playing mostly on the left this season.

“I think we complement each other nicely up there and whoever it is playing in those attacking positions, we have to create and score as many as possible.

“I enjoyed playing up there with Chaz and Sonny, but Reubs (Reid) and Adi (Yussuf) have qualities, so if I get my chance I know I have to do my best whoever I am playing alongside.”

Both Reid and Yussuf started on the bench last weekend and manager Darren Sarll admitted that playing the three young forwards up front together was something he had been thinking about for a while.

He said: “Even when we had Joe (Quigley), we had not scored enough goals and there was something there that I had been thinking about for a while, but we had Joe in good form or Adi in good form.

“Sonny is only going to get better if he is rolled out, he has an extraordinary talent, he works so hard and has a brilliant attitude.

“Knowles is the form player and Wakefield is probably first name on our team-sheet, he has been brilliant for us.”

Knowles praised the impact that striker Reuben Reid, who sits next to him in the Huish Park dressing room, has had in improving his performances so far this season.

The 23-year-old’s goal against Wrexham was his fifth goal of the season in and is hoping to add to that tally at Woking this weekend, having  already scored twice in Yeovil’s two encounters with the Cards this season.

He said: “The senior lads have helped all of the young lads, even Litts (Mark Little) and Reubs (Reuben Reid) were injured they have still come in and helped us.

“Reubs has been massive for me, he’s helped me on and off the pitch, sitting next to him in the changing rooms has been really good.

“Even just learning off the older players, you have to work it our yourself because you are still going to be playing when they are not.”

He revealed he is behind his own goal-scoring target for the campaign so far as he looks to improve on the eight he got in 38 appearances last season.

Knowles said: “I set myself (goal) targets every season and I am slightly behind where I want to be but there’s still a lot of games to play.

“The main thing is the team and the club are in a position to achieve what we want as a team rather than as individuals.”

The former Cambridge United player is one of a number of players – well, everyone except defender Morgan Williams – who is out of contract come the end of this season.

Asked about his long-term future, he said: “That’s up to the club and the manager, I can only do what I can to help myself and put myself in the best position possible to earn a contract.

“Nothing is given to you, that is given to you and I have to go out and earn it, so all I can do is go and do my best and if that is enough to earn a new contract then I will be very happy.“

By:
On:
In: Latest Yeovil Town News

Midfielder Tom Knowles said his Yeovil Town team-mates need to take the positives from their run to the FA Cup third round in to the rest of the season.

The Glovers went out of the competition after a 3-1 defeat at home to Championship leaders AFC Bournemouth and now have just two days until the National League trip to Southend United on Tuesday night and an FA Trophy tie with Needham Market next weekend.

Tom Knowles. Picture courtesy of Mike Kunz.

Knowles said: “We’ve come away from Torquay with two disappointing losses and we’ve got to go to Southend and look to pick up a win again and then we’re back in to the FA Trophy. We have to pick up momentum and keep going game by game.”

He praised the support from the home fans in the crowd of 7,818 who turned out for the televised tie, adding: “We play football for the fans, they were class tonight, you saw when we scored that goal and right throughout the evening they were behind us.

“If we can take that in to our league form and see as many (fans) back here again, that will push us on for the season and hopefully we can kick on and do well.”

Knowles said the team was “gutted” to have been put out of the competition courtesy of a hat-trick from Bournemouth midfielder Emiliano Marcondes – but said they were proud of their performance.

The midfielder added: “We felt we gave a good account of ourselves against a good Championship side and we went out there and did Yeovil proud.

“We are gutted to be going out, but it’s been a great journey and we have really enjoyed it.

“We knew they were going to have a lot of the ball, they are a possession-based team, but I thought we frustrated them in the first half.

“We all did our jobs well, we were working our socks off and their quality shone through.”