With the 2017/18 season rapidly approaching, we continue our look at all 23 teams who will be visiting Brunton Park in Sky Bet League Two this season.
Yeovil Town are next to go under the spotlight.
Nickname: The Glovers
Club Colours: Green & White
Who are they?
Founded in 1890 as Yeovil Football Club, the Glovers spent more than 100 years of their early ex-istence in non-league. They were founding members of the Conference in 1979 but suffered relega-tion in 1985. The Glovers bounced back swiftly, however, reaching the Conference again in 1987 after winning the Isthmian League with a record-breaking 101 points.
The club reached the Football League for the first time after 108 years in 2003 - lifting the Conference title having finished 17 points clear of their nearest rivals.
Yeovil’s first season in League Two saw them finish eighth before they won promotion the follow-ing year. Having previously flirted with promotion, Yeovil reached the Championship in 2013 after beating Brentford in the League One play-off final.
However, back-to-back relegations followed seeing Yeovil now back in League Two.
Did You Know?
+ The club’s nickname of The Glovers came from Yeovil’s history of glove making, with the town a centre of the industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.
+ Prior to an FA Cup tie against Liverpool in 2004, the Glovers released a song called ‘Yeovil True’ which reached number 36 in the UK Singles Chart.
+ Huish Park, the club’s home ground, is built on the site of an old army camp.
How did they get on last season?
It was another season of consolidation for the Glovers, who finished comfortably clear of relegation in 20th place. With 50 points to their name, Yeovil were four points clear of the drop zone and will look ahead with optimism this season.
Who’s in charge?
A former Yeovil Town midfielder and fans’ favourite, Darren Way took over at Huish Park in 2015 and has helped the side cement their place in League Two. He began his playing career at Norwich City before moving to Somerset where he made over 200 appearances for the Glovers. A spell at Swansea City followed before he ended his career at Yeovil in 2010.
He then moved into coaching roles with the Glovers, spending time as first team coach and assistant manager before taking the top job in December 2015. The side were bottom of League Two when Way took charge, but he managed to guide them to safety.
How has their summer transfer business looked?
Seven new faces have come through the door at Huish Park this summer, while a number of others have extended their deals. Rhys Browne joined from Grimsby, with ex-Plymouth midfielder Con-nor Smith also snapped up by Way. Former United man James Bailey has also moved to Somerset with Olufela Olomola and Keston Davies arriving from Premier League outfits Southampton and Swansea. Experienced defender Stephane Zubar and winger Jake Gray are the club’s other two additions.
New deals were also handed to Nathan Smith, Otis Khan, Bevis Mugabi, Jonny Maddison and ex-United man Francois Zoko.
They’ve Played For Both
Irish striker Paddy Madden made his first step into English football with the Blues before making the move to Yeovil Town. His time at Brunton Park saw him net twice in 32 appearances, before a loan move to Huish Park produced nine goals in 15 games. This saw Madden snapped up a permanent basis by the Glovers, and he spent a further year in Somerset where he bagged 13 goals.
Other players to have spent time at both clubs include winger Andy Welsh, who made the move from Yeovil to Cumbria, and striker Mark Beck, who spent a year at Huish Park after his release from Brunton Park.
Memorable Meeting - Yeovil Town 0-3 Carlisle (15 October 2011)
The Blues had never won at Yeovil prior to this, but banished their Huish-hoodoo courtesy of a fine second half performance. Liam Noble, Jon-Paul McGovern and Danny Livesey grabbed the goals in a well-deserved League One victory.
Watch highlights of United's 2-1 December home victory here:
Watch highlights of United's 2-0 April away victory at Huish Park here:
When Did We Last Meet?
Our last meeting came on 1 April 2017 with United picking up a vital three points at Huish Park. John O’Sullivan and Reggie Lambe found the net as the Blues clinched a 2-0 victory.
When Do We Meet Next?
Yeovil travel to Brunton Park on 11 November with the return trip to Huish Park coming on 24 February.
