 Yeovil Town Football Club | Contact Details | | Huish Park Stadium
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The History of Yeovil Town Football Club
Looking back at Yeovil's past is like delving into the annals of FA Cup giant-killing.When the cult football game 'subbuteo' launched their one-and-only non-league team, it was Yeovil they chose.
But in the new millennium, the Somerset Club is determined to be more than just a romantic FA Cup name.Nationwide Conference success and football league status are the words on the lips of all Yeovil people today. Past glories should not be forgotten, but with the new century it is all about glories yet to come.
Certainly the magnificent Huish Park Stadium, opened ten years ago, is a far cry from the club's beginning back in 1895.Formed as the Yeovil Casuals, it was another twenty-five years before a merger took place with Petters United and the 'new'club moved to Huish.
In 1922 they progressed from the Western League to the Southern League, and remained there,apart from season 1930/31 when they joined Division Two of the London Combination, until 1979, when they became one of the founder-members of the Alliance Premier League.
Now known as Yeovil Town, they reached national prominence with their spectacular FA Cup Fourth Round success over Sunderland, in front of over 16,000 ecstatic fans (a club record). At the next hurdle, over 81,000 saw them lose to Manchester United at Maine Road, the biggest FA Cup attendance of all time, away from the finalitself.All-in-all they have advanced to the First Round of the Cup on over 40 occasions.
Between 1955 and 1973 the lifted the Southern League crown three times, with the runners-up spot being reached on two occasions.In 1955 they also clinched the Southern League double.
1979 saw the birth of what is now the Football Conferencethe game's 'Fifth Division' - and the Glovers were founder-members. Life was not always easy in the non league game's premier league, and in 1985 they were relegated to the Vauxhall Opel League.After two years as bridesmaids,the championship was eventually captured in 1988, and with it the prize of are turn to the Conference.
There was success in the Bob Lord Challenge Trophy in 1990and three years later fourth spot in the Conference was clinched, there best ever.In January 1995 Graham Roberts was appointed manager, but demotion back to the Isthmian League (ICIS) was soon followed. The 1996-1997 campaign saw them amass 101 ICIS points and with it the title.The Club's 'Sleeping Giant' tag was really borne out when, in 1997 over 8000 fans packed into Huish Park for their promotion shoot out with Enfield.
Following the departure of Roberts, Colin Lippiatt was placed in charge and another famous cup victory was gained, 2-0 over Northampton in Round Two.Round Three saw them draw thrillingly at Cardiff, before going down 2-1 in the replay at apacked Huish Park.
The next campaign was full of many plus points and some minuses.Following a victory at Hayes,the Glovers climbed to the top of the Conference tree for the first time in their history. Then, soon afterwards,at the end of September, Colin Lippiatt resigned to be replaced by experienced midfielder Steve Thompson.
'Thommo' did a magnificent job at steadying the ship and several notable results were gained - the 5-1 thrashing of Rushden and Diamonds stands out from all others.
Towards the end of the campaign it was decided at board level that a change was needed.It was felt that with a more experienced boss at the helm plus Thompson in an assistant manager capacity, the club was much more likely to achieve its number one goal of League football.
So,54-year-old East London born Dave Webb was appointed.
A tough defender himself, 'Webby' shot to fame when he netted Chelsea's winner in the 1970 Cup Final replay with Leeds.Later to manage the London Club, Dave's tactical know how is second-to-none.
In the first game in charge in March the Glovers put three past Doncaster Rovers without replay.His end-of-season record of just two defeats from eleven games was indeed impressive.The side played fast, attractive football, with the emphasis very much on giving youth a chance.
David Webb resigned from his post as Manager on the 30thSeptember to take over the helm at Southend United and within ten days Colin Addison had been interviewed and accepted the position as. The season progressed with notable victories in the F.A.Cup over Colchester and Blackpool and the 2-1victory over Rushden and Diamonds at Nene Park in November. However, the youngside were unable to maintain their challenge and picked up the Runners Up trophy in May.
With Colin Addison resigning after the last game of the season the board signed former Latvian International Coach Gary Johnson to the Managers post in June 2001 with a brief to produce young players who play attractive attacking football.
Gary Johnson's first season in charge saw several changes to the playing personnel and after a slightly in different start the team was amongst the front runners in the Nationwide Conference for most of the season finishing third behind Boston United and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Johnson's team had a thrilling run in the F.A. Umbro Trophy with victories over Tiverton Town, Doncaster Rovers, holders Canvey Island, Northwich Victoria and Burton Albion culminating in their 2-0 victory over Stevenage Borough in the final at Villa Park.
It was the first major trophy the club had won in their 106 year history.
Season 2002/2003 has seen the club finally achieve it's ambitions of League football when they swept to the Conference Championship by a record 17 points.
Scoring a hundred goals and remaining unbeaten at home in the Conference all season all contributed to a marvellous season for theGlovers when that Holy Grail of League Football was finally achieved.
The team's first season in League football saw them finish in a creditable eighth place just missing out on the play off positions by goal difference but the die had been cast and a successful future lay ahead.
In Season 2004/2005 the club finished just 4 goals off the play-off places as they needed a last match win and with Northampton losing on the same day. As history now shows Northampton hadn't read the plot and the Glovers just failed to gain a place in the play-offs in their first season in League Football.
Season 2004-2005 soon put things right though when The Glovers were crowned Champions for the second time in three seasons.
The Glovers had led the League from the turn of the year to the end of the season only losing the lead once for a couple of days in April. Victory against Lincoln secured the Championship and saw more celebrations at Huish Park.
Mastermind Gary Johnson has stayed with the club despite overtures from other clubs and signed a new three year contract in April 2005.
First Team Managers Since 1922
Name Years As Manager
1 Jack Gregory 1922-28
2 Tommy Lawes 1928-29
3 Dave Pratt 1929-33
4 Louis Page 1933-35
5 Dave Halliday 1935-38
6 Billy Kingdon 1938-46
7 Alec Stock 1946-49
8 George Patterson 1949-51
9 Harry Lowe 1951-53
10 Ike Clarke 1953-57
11 Norman Dodgin 1957
12 Jimmy Baldwin 1957-60
13 Basil Hayward 1960-64
14 Glyn Davies 1964-65
15 Joe McDonald 1965-67
16 Ron Saunders 1967-69
17 Mike Hughes 1969-72
18 Cecil Irwin 1972-75
19 Stan Harland 1975-78
20 Barry Lloyd 1978-81
21 Malcolm Allinson 1981
22 Jimmy Giles 1981-83
23 Trevor Finnigan & Mike Hughes 1982
24 Steve Coles 1983-84
25 Ian McFarlane 1984
26 Gerry Gow 1984-87
27 Brian Hall 1987-90
28 Clive Whitehead 1990-91
29 Steve Rutter 1991-93
30 Brian Hall 1994-95
31 Graham Roberts 1995-98
32 Colin Lippiatt 1998-99
33 Steve Thompson 1999-2000
34 David Webb 2000
35 Colin Addison 2000-2001
36 Gary Johnson 2001-
Club Chairmen Since 1922
1 E.J. Farr 1923
2 E.P. Wrinch 1925
3 W. Stanley Johnson 1927
4 W.J. Farthing 1929
5 Stanley H. Vincent 1931
6 George E. Fox 1933
7 Stanley Gates 1936
8 H.A. Smith 1938
9 W.H. Farthing 1948
10 S. Pinder 1962
11 G.E. Templeman 1966
12 S. Norman Burfield 1969
13 I.B. Rendall 1971
14 D.J. Hawker 1974
15 Gerry A. Lock 1982
16 Bryan W. Moore 1991
17 John Fry 1996
Whos who at Huish Park
Main Sponsors: Bradfords Building Supplies
Youth Alliance Under 18`s: Jones Building Contractors
Club Officials
President: S.N Burfield M.B.E
Life Member: S.N Burfield, B. Moore, I. Rendall, N. Hayward
Chairman & Cheif Exec: J.R Fry
Directors: S.P Allinson, D. Cox, P. Sargent
Joint Company Secretaries: S.P Allinson, Mrs J. Cotton
Club Solicitors: S.P Allinson
Other Officials
First Team Manager: Steve Johnson
First Team Coach: S Thompson
Football Secretary: J. Cotton
Chief Scout: F. Leworthy
Reserve Team Manager: M. O`Donnell
Youth Team Manager: S. Housley
Sports Therapist: G. Schmidt
Kit Manager: T. Trott
Community: J. Flatters
Club Doctor: Dr I. Latham
Club Dentist: Dr D. Gibson
Hon Surgeon: Dr G. Smibert D.R.C.S
Confidence Coach: M. Layder
Media & Communications Manager: A. Hopper
Media Assistant: J. Healey
Stadium Manager: J. Hillier
Commercial Manager: D. Linney
Sales Exec: R. Woot
Ticket Officer Manager: S. Parsons
Customer & Hospitality Manager: M. Clare
Accountant: P. O`Riordan
Chief Steward: I. Flack
Club Padre: Rev J. Pearce
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