Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Yeovil, Somerset, England. The team compete in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system. The club's home ground is Huish Park, built in 1990 on the site of an old army camp and named after their former home, Huish, itself known for its pitch, which had an 8 feet (2.4 m) sideline to sideline slope. The club's nickname "The Glovers" is a reference to the history of glove-making in the town of Yeovil, which became a centre of the industry during the 18th and 19th centuries.[1] The club's affiliated women's team, Yeovil Town W.F.C., compete in the FA Women's National League.
Full name | Yeovil Town Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Glovers | ||
Founded | 27 August 1895 (as Yeovil Casuals) | ||
Ground | Huish Park | ||
Capacity | 9,565 (5,212 seated) | ||
Owners | Scott Priestnall and Errol Pope | ||
Chairman | Scott Priestnall | ||
Manager | Darren Sarll | ||
League | National League | ||
2019–20 | National League, 4th of 24 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
|
Founded in 1895, the club initially joined the Somerset Senior League and competed in a multitude of leagues up until the outbreak of World War II. During this time they won titles in the Southern League, Western League, Bristol Charity League, Dorset District League and Somerset Senior League. They played in the Southern League after the war ended, winning the championship in 1954–55, 1963–64 and 1970–71, before becoming members of the Alliance Premier League from 1979 to 1985. They spent the next three years in the Isthmian League, and were elevated into the Conference after finishing as champions in 1987–88. Relegated in 1995, they were promoted again two years later after winning another Isthmian League title. Yeovil won the 2002 FA Trophy Final and secured a place in the Football League after winning the Conference in 2002–03 under the stewardship of Gary Johnson. They then won the League Two title in 2004–05, before reaching the Championship with victory in the 2013 League One play-off final in Johnson's second spell as manager. However they suffered consecutive relegations, and were relegated once more following the 2018–19 season, ending their 16-season spell in the Football League.
Yeovil are one of the most successful non-league teams in the FA Cup, having defeated major Football League teams, most famously Sunderland in the fourth round in 1949, before going on to play in front of more than 81,000 spectators away at Manchester United in the next round. For some years, as the only Football League side in Somerset, they had few local rivals since Dorset-based side Weymouth declined as Yeovil climbed the divisions in the 1990s and 2000s.
History
Non-League football
Yeovil Football Club was founded in 1890, and shared its ground with the local rugby club for many years. Five years later the current club was founded and named Yeovil Casuals and started playing home games at the Pen Mill Athletic Ground. In 1907 the name Yeovil Town was adopted, which on amalgamation with Petters United became Yeovil and Petters United.[2] The name reverted to Yeovil Town before the 1946–47 season.
The club came to national attention as 'giant-killers' during the 1948–49 FA Cup,[3] in which they defeated Sunderland 2–1 in the fourth round, in front of a record home attendance of 17,000. They were defeated 8–0 in the following round by Manchester United .[4]
Between 1955 and 1973 they were champions of the Southern Football League three times, and runners-up twice.[5] During this period, Yeovil Town applied for election to the Football League on a number of occasions, coming within a few votes of being elected in 1976.[6] In 1979 the Glovers were founder members of the new national non-league division, the Football Conference. In 1985, they were relegated to the Isthmian League. Yeovil won that championship in 1988 and returned to the Conference.
There was success in the Bob Lord Challenge Trophy in 1990 and three years later Yeovil finished fourth in the Conference, their best finish ever.[5] In January 1995, former Weymouth and Spurs player Graham Roberts was appointed manager, but demotion back to the Isthmian League soon followed. Yeovil secured promotion back into the Conference in 1997 after winning the Isthmian League with a record number of points – 101.[5]
Colin Lippiatt became manager for the 1998–99 season and brought Terry Skiverton to the club as a player. Gary Johnson took over as manager in June 2001 and Yeovil won the FA Trophy in his first season in charge with a 2–0 victory over Stevenage Borough in the final at Villa Park – the club's first major trophy.[5] Yeovil Town earned promotion to the Football League in the following season, by winning the Football Conference by a record 17 points margin, accumulating 95 points and scoring 100 goals, remaining unbeaten at Huish Park. Their team included many top players, some of whom went on to play Premier League football. Notable players include Gavin Williams who moved to West Ham United, Lee Johnson, Chris Weale, Darren Way and Adam Lockwood.
Reaching the Football League
Yeovil's first game in the Football League was a 3–1 away win over Rochdale. The Glovers finished their first season in eighth position, and reached the third round of the FA Cup before losing 2–0 at home to Liverpool. Before the game the club released a record sold only in shops in the town: "Yeovil True" reached #36 in the UK Singles Chart.[7] The following season Yeovil finished as champions of League Two with 83 points, earning promotion to League One. Partway through the season the club was sold by Jon Goddard-Watts to David Webb, who took over the role of chief executive from chairman John Fry.
At the beginning of the 2005–06 season manager Gary Johnson left Yeovil for Bristol City. He was replaced by his assistant Steve Thompson and Kevin Hodges was appointed as his number two. At the season's end Thompson was demoted to first-team coach and he was replaced by Russell Slade. Around this time John Fry had bought all Dave Webb's share of the club, becoming Yeovil Town's new owner.[8] They again reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and were drawn away against Charlton Athletic, then in the Premier League, to whom they lost 3–2.[9]
Yeovil finished the 2006–07 season in fifth position, qualifying for the League One play-offs. In the semi-final Yeovil beat Nottingham Forest in the two-legged match 5–4 on aggregate, after losing the first home leg 2–0.[10][11] Yeovil met Blackpool at Wembley Stadium in the final, but were beaten 2–0.
The 2007–08 was less successful, as Yeovil finished 18th in League One with 52 points. Russell Slade continued as Yeovil manager into the 2008–09 season, but he left the position in February 2009.[12] After one game with assistant manager Steve Thompson acting as caretaker manager, club captain Terry Skiverton was announced as manager until the end of the 2009–10 season, with Nathan Jones as his assistant.[13] The duo successfully kept Yeovil in League One, with safety secured following a 1-1 draw at Tranmere Rovers.[14]
Skiverton and Jones successfully helped Yeovil avoid relegation in the following two seasons, but a poor start the 2011–12 campaign prompted a change of manager. On 9 January 2012, the club announced the re-appointment of Gary Johnson, with Terry Skiverton becoming assistant.[15] The Glovers went on to again achieve safety, finishing eleven points clear of the relegation zone.[16]
Yeovil made their best ever start in the 2012–13 season, picking up 10 points from their first four games. Yeovil finished the 2012–13 season in 4th place, reaching the League One play-offs. They reached the final on 6 May 2013 after a 2–0 home victory against Sheffield United, overturning a 1–0 loss at Bramall Lane in the first leg. On 19 May 2013, Yeovil defeated Brentford 2–1 in the League One play-off final at Wembley, reaching the second tier for the first time in their history.[17] Striker Paddy Madden, who netted the opening goal against Brentford at Wembley, finished as the league's top scorer.[18]
Yeovil spent one season in the Championship and, despite enjoying memorable victories over Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford, suffered immediate relegation back to League One.[19] The club's struggles continued the following season, although the club did earn a lucrative FA Cup tie against Manchester United, which they lost 2-0 despite a "gallant challenge".[20] Manager Gary Johnson was eventually replaced by Paul Sturrock as Yeovil suffered another relegation, returning to League Two for the first time in 10 years.[21]
Following a poor start to the 2015/16 season, Sturrock was sacked and replaced by Darren Way, initially in a caretaker role before being named permanent manager.[22] Way was able to lead Yeovil to safety as they finished they campaign 19th in the table.[23]
During Way's tenure as manager, Yeovil equalled their record for heaviest Football League defeat with an 8-2 loss to Luton Town on the opening day of the 2017/18 season[24], although they also recorded their highest Football League victory under his leadership with a 6-0 win over Newport County in September 2018.[25] The club also enjoyed another FA Cup tie with Manchester United in January 2018, however they lost 4-0 to Jose Mourinho's side.[26]
Return to Non-League football
Yeovil's 16-year stay in the EFL came to an end when they were relegated during the 2018/19 season, following a 2-2 draw with Northampton Town.[27]
Darren Sarll was unveiled as the club's new manager in June 2019[28] and a takeover of the club by a consortium led by Scott Priestnell and Errol Pope was announced in September 2019.[29] On 22 April, the 2019/20 National League season was ended with immediate effect due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the Glovers fourth in the table.[30]
Recent seasons
Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Top scorer | Average[lower-alpha 1] attendance | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division[lower-alpha 2] | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | Competition | Result | Name | Goals | ||||
2015–16 | League 2 | 46 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 43 | 59 | 48 | 19th | R3 | R1 | Football League Trophy | SF (S) | Ryan Bird Harry Cornick François Zoko | 8 | 3,936 |
2016–17 | League 2 | 46 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 49 | 64 | 50 | 20th | R1 | R2 | EFL Trophy | QF | François Zoko | 13 | 3,567 |
2017–18 | League 2 | 46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 59 | 75 | 48 | 19th | R4 | R1 | EFL Trophy | SF | François Zoko | 15 | 2,941 |
2018–19 | League 2 | 46 | 9 | 13 | 24 | 41 | 66 | 40 | 24th | R1 | R1 | EFL Trophy | GS (S) | Alex Fisher | 8 | 2,953 |
2019–20 | National | 37 | 17 | 9 | 11 | 61 | 44 | 60 | 4th[lower-alpha 3] | R1 | — | Rhys Murphy | 20 | 2,980 |
Rivals
Due to the lack of other large football clubs in Somerset, Yeovil have few strong rivals. Yeovil have their strongest traditional rivalry with Weymouth, which has been described as intense, but this has dwindled due to the lack of competitive meetings between the two clubs in recent times.[36]
A rivalry with Bath City dates back to numerous non-league meetings between the two sides.[37] Similarly, Hereford United were also seen as rivals, before their dissolution in 2014, due to both clubs were being fairly well matched during their time in non-league ranks.[38]
During their time in the EFL, Yeovil fans considered both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City to be rivals. In August 2009, Yeovil played Exeter City for the first time in the league, and both clubs have shared a rivalry since, with the match often being billed as a Westcountry Derby.[39] Swindon Town and AFC Bournemouth were also considered somewhat rivals due to geographical proximity.[40]
Players
First-team squad
- As of 16 August 2020[41]
- The club has yet to publish a released/retained list, players marked with "(*)" contracts expired on 30 June 2020.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Under-18s squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
International representatives
Club management
- As of 26 February 2020[42]
Corporate hierarchy
Position | Name |
---|---|
Joint Owner / Chairman | Scott Priestnall |
Joint Owner / Director | Errol Pope |
Director | Glenn Collis |
Associate Director | Dave Linney |
Chief Operating Officer | David Mills |
Club Secretary | Kirstie Baker |
Commercial Manager | Mark Robinson |
Coaching staff
Position | Staff |
---|---|
Manager | |
Acting assistant manager/ Academy manager |
|
Interim first-team coach Acting U18 manager |
|
Goalkeeper coach/ Academy goalkeeper coach |
|
Acting physio | |
Strength and conditioning | |
Academy head of coaching | Vacant |
Managerial history
|
|
|
|
List of chairmen
The following men have been chairman of the club's Board of Directors:[43]
|
|
Honours and achievements
Football League One:
- Play-off winners: 2012–13
Football League Two:
- Champions: 2004–05
- Champions: 2002–03
Southern League Western Division:
Bristol Charity League
- Champions: 1921–22
- Champions: 1908–09
- Champions: 1896–97, 1901–02, 1912–13, 1920–21
- Winners: 2002
- Winners: 1989–90
- Runners-up: 1991–92, 1993–94
- Winners: 1987–88
- Winners: 1988–89
Southern League Championship Cup
- Winners: 1971–72, 1976–77
- Winners: 1954–55, 1960–61, 1965–66
- Runners-up: 1937–38, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1955–56, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1978–79
Western Football League Cup::[44]
- Winners: 1958–59
Somerset Professional Cup:[45][46]
- Winners: 1912–13, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1937–38, 1938–39, 1949–50, 1950–51, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57 (jointly with Bristol City), 1961–62, 1962–63, 1964–65, 1968–69 (jointly with Frome Town), 1972–73, 1975–76, 1978–79, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2004–05
- Runners-up: 1898–99, 1907–08, 1910–11, 1913–14, 1919–20, 1936–37, 1945–46, 1948–49, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1970–71, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1991–92, 2002–03
Forse Somerset Charity Cup:[47]
- Winners: 1910–11
Club records
- Most Overall Appearances: Len Harris, 691 (1958–72)[48]
- Most Goals: Johnny Hayward, 548 (1906–28)[49]
- Most League Goals: Dave Taylor, 284 (1960–9)[49]
- Record Attendance Football League at Huish Park: 9,527 v Leeds United, 25 April 2008 (League One)[50]
- Record Attendance All Time: 17,123 v Sunderland, 29 January 1949 (FA Cup Fourth Round)[51]
- Longest Serving Player: Len Harris, 14 years (1958–72)[49]
- Longest Serving Manager: Billy Kingdon, 8 years (1938–46)[49]
- Highest League Finish: 24th Championship, 2013/2014 season[49]
- Highest Transfer fee received: £1,200,000, Arron Davies and Chris Cohen, Nottingham Forest, July 2007[49]
- Highest transfer fee paid: Undisclosed (five figure sum), Pablo Bastianini, Quilmes Atlético Club, August 2005[49]
- Highest Victory in the Football League: 6–0 v Newport County, 15 September 2018[52]
- Heaviest Defeat in the Football League: 0–6 v Stevenage, 14 April 2012, 2–8 v Luton Town, 5 August 2017[53]
Notes
- League matches only (excluding play-offs).
- Divisions are sorted according to their level within the English football league system at the time.
- The season was suspended on 16 March 2020 and later concluded prematurely in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with league positions and promotions decided on a points-per-game basis,[31][32][33] Yeovil finished the season in 4th position in the National League with a 1.62 PPG and qualified for the play-offs, but lost 2–0 to Barnet in the play-off quarter-finals.[34] While the Somerset Premier Cup along with all Somerset FA competitions was cancelled.[35]
References
- "Glove making and car congestion: Yeovil in 1949". BBC Somerset. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
- "Managers". Yeovil town years. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- "Classic matches". Yeovil town years. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- "Season 1948–1949 and so to Maine Road". The Yeovil Town Story. Ciderspace. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- "Yeovil Town". Talk Football. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2009.
- Football League Division 4 1975–76 Archived 6 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- "Yeovil net Top 40 Triumph". BBC Sport. 23 February 2004. Archived from the original on 24 February 2004.
- "Yeovil Town". Talk Fottoball. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- "Charlton 3–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 29 January 2005.
- Yeovil 0–2 Nottingham Forest Archived 26 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine – BBC Sport
- Nottingham Forest 2–5 Yeovil Archived 2 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine – BBC Sport
- "Yeovil split with manager Slade". BBC Sport. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
- "Terry Skiverton is named as Yeovil Town manager". YTFC Official Site. Archived from the original on 22 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2009.
- "Tranmere 1-1 Yeovil". 25 April 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Gary Johnson replaces Terry Skiverton as Yeovil Town manager". BBC Sport. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "11v11 league table generator". www.11v11.com. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
- "Paddy Madden: Yeovil Town striker placed on transfer list". BBC Sport. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Brighton 2–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 25 April 2014. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- "Yeovil Town 0-2 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 4 January 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Yeovil 1–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- "Yeovil Town: Darren Way appointed as Glovers manager". BBC Sport. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Yeovil Town 0-1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Luton Town 8-2 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Newport County 0-6 Yeovil Town". BBC Sport. 15 September 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Yeovil Town 0-4 Manchester United". BBC Sport. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Northampton Town 2-2 Yeovil Town: Glovers relegated to National League". BBC Sport. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "NEWS | Darren Sarll announced as manager". www.ytfc.net. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- D'Albiac, Stephen (20 September 2019). "The takeover of Yeovil Town Football Club has been completed". somersetlive. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- D'Albiac, Stephen (22 April 2020). "Yeovil Town's season over as National League ended immediately". somersetlive. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Coronavirus: National League suspends games over pandemic until 3 April". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- "National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- "Barrow promoted back to English Football League after National League vote". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- "Yeovil Town 0–2 Barnet". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
- "Season 2019-20 County Cup Update". somersetfa.com. Somerset Football Association. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
- "Brothers become rivals". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Yeovil Town to launch 'comprehensive review' of pitch situation". This is Somerset. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- "Are you a big club or not? - Yeovil Town Football Club". 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 January 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Exeter 1–1 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 18 August 2009. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- "FIVE THINGS: Yeovil Town". www.oldhamathletic.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "First Team – Yeovil Town". Yeovil Town F.C. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
- "Who's Who?". ytfc.net. Yeovil Town F.C. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
- "Club Chairmen". Ciderspace. Archived from the original on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- "Western Football League Award Winners". Western Football League. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- "Honours and Records". ytfc.net. Yeovil Town F.C. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Club Honours List". Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website). Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "A look at Yeovil Town FC's honours and records". Yeovil Town Football Club. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
- "RIP Len Harris: Yeovil Town's ultimate legend passes away". Yeovil Express. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "All-time Leading Goalscorers - Yeovil Town". www.ytfc.net. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Huish Park". Football Stadiums. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Honours and Records - Yeovil Town". www.ytfc.net. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- Statto, Sky Sports (15 September 2018). "Yeovil's 6-0 victory at Newport is the biggest win in their @EFL history. It is the biggest away win in @SkyBetLeagueTwo since March 2011 (Lincoln 0-6 Rotherham) @YTFCpic.twitter.com/It9jOyV1Qn". @SkySportsStatto. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
- "Luton Town 8-2 Yeovil Town: Glovers players to refund away fans". BBC Sport. 6 August 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yeovil Town F.C.. |
- Official website
- Yeovil on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures
- Yeovil Town news from Sky Sports