Walton & Hersham have confirmed they have made a complaint against Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley to the Football Association following “repeated approaches” towards is players.
The National League South new boys, who Rowley managed until his move to take up the Huish Park hot seat in November, have also confirmed the Glovers have made a formal approach for midfielder Mason Obeng, who has turned down a new contract with the Swans.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Southern League Premier South champions said: “The complaint also details concerns surrounding Mr Rowley’s attendance at the club’s end-of-season staff event, accompanied by Yeovil Town’s Head of Recruitment, where interactions with contracted Walton & Hersham players took place despite clear indications that their presence was not welcomed by club ownership.
“In addition, our complaint outlines concerns regarding inappropriate correspondence sent directly to club ownership, including the use of profane and threatening language, as well as further disparaging remarks allegedly made publicly about Walton & Hersham, its ownership and its officials.
“We believe Billy has made repeated attempts to influence contracted players regarding their futures, contributing to unnecessary instability within the club. This has been confirmed by Yeovil Town contacting us today, acknowledging that they’ve made a formal offer towards Mason Obeng after he rejected our offer.”
There has been no response from Yeovil Town yet, but Walton has said it has provided “a full account” Rowley’s actions and “has offered supporting evidence, including statements and material evidencing the conduct referenced in our complaint.”
The statement added: “While we had hoped these concerns would be addressed with the seriousness they warrant through the appropriate private channels, the lack of meaningful action or acknowledgement has left us with no alternative but to make our position public. The club remains fully prepared to provide further evidence to the relevant authorities should it be required.”
Obeng, 22, was named the Players’ Player of the Year at Walton following a season which saw him score 15 goals in his second campaign for the club. He arrived in the summer of 2024 having left Aldershot Town.
Sounds like sore grapes from Walton & Hersham. When a small club is punching well above its weight and starts loosing its better players it’s always someone else who is to blame. Be proud of brings player on and let them flourish at a bigger club….
If Obeng is out of contract at the end of the season just ended then surely other clubs are entitled to contact him or his representatives. I thought clubs could contact players from January onwards if their contracts are ending. The fact that his current club has offered him a new contract is beside the point.
I doubt there is a manager out there that hasn’t moved to a new club and spoken to players from their old club.
Let’s get some players in to take this club forward and if they happen to be ex Walton players then so be it