The Glovers Trust is back. After a period of silence over recent months, the group has posted on its social media channels following the announcement by owner Martin Hellier that he is stepping down as chairman.
The Trust’s statement in full reads as follows:
Firstly, an apology. The Glovers Trust, was set up in 2016 to ensure meaningful engagement with supporters and Yeovil Town Football Club. Since the night in Johnson Hall in 2023, various board members have stepped away and we’ve been unable to operate as supporters deserve. For that, we are sorry.
In recent weeks, we have been putting steps in place to re-launch and re-engage with supporters and Yeovil Town FC. The events of the last seven-days are a stark reminder that without supporters at the heart of the club, a much-loved, more than a century old community asset will always be vulnerable.
The Glovers Trust acknowledges the announcement by Martin Hellier that he intends to sell Yeovil Town Football Club and his subsequent resignation as Chairman. We thank Martin for his commitment to Yeovil Town FC and his investment that secured a first championship victory since 2005.
This latest development reinforces the urgent need for a sustainable, long-term vision for our club that that prioritises the interests of supporters and the community. Supporter representation alongside football operations expertise must be at the heart of Yeovil Town’s future. Clubs thrive when they are rooted in their communities, and we believe that a model incorporating meaningful supporter engagement in decision-making is the best way to secure the stability and future of Yeovil Town FC.
We are well aware that due to our inactivity, we are not well-placed to be the authority amongst supporters and nor do we expect to be that. The Glovers Trust, however, has the organisational framework and membership structure to be the safety net that every football club should have across the country.
With a third takeover in seven years potentially on the horizon it is crucial that supporters unite to safeguard Yeovil Town FC. We will continue to push for a future where fans have a meaningful voice in how our club is run and urge any prospective buyer to engage with all supporters and recognise the vital role fans play in the club’s identity and future.
In the next few days, we will email our membership base and begin reinstating our membership platform and website before calling an election for roles on the board. The Glovers Trust can only thrive with the passion and expertise from a broad range of supporters. The board can then set the agenda for the Trust and its future.
Our motto, Achieve By Unity, has never been more appropriate.
The Glovers Trust Board
Our own Ian Perkins has been co-opted on to the Trust board alongside supporter Abby Carter together with existing board members John Oakes, Vern Edmunds and Terri Burt to get the Trust back in a position to hold elections and functioning again.
First Stuart Robins and now The Glovers Trust. Two resurrections in one day 🤣
Can the Gloverscast remain truly independent, now that Ian is a board member or will it just push the views of a small minority of the total fan base.
Hi Steven. My plan is to support the Trust get back on its feet to a place as right now they need help and I’ve got the experience to get the site, membership platform and bits going.
The agenda of the Trust doesn’t even exist in its current form, only the board and strong membership can shape it so there is no views to push at the moment – other than the need for all supporters to come together.
Myself, Ben and Dave are open to questions from all corners around everything YTFC twice a week, we poll supporters every month and we will continue to do that.