Page 24 - Yate Town FC v Yeovil Town FA Cup 061121

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. 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. 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.
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. 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. The duo successfully kept Yeovil in League One, with safety secured following a 1–1 draw
at Tranmere Rovers.
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. The Glovers went on to
again achieve safety, finishing eleven points clear of the relegation zone.
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.
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. 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", 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.
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. Way was able to lead Yeovil to safety as
they finished they campaign 19th in the table.
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, although they also recorded their
highest Football League victory under his leadership with a 6–0 win over Newport County in September
2018. The club also enjoyed another FA Cup tie with Manchester United in January 2018, however they
lost 4–0 to Jose Mourinho's side.
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.
Darren Sarll was unveiled as the club's new manager in June 2019, and a takeover of the club by a
consortium led by Scott Priestnell and Errol Pope was announced in September 2019. 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. 2020-21 Yeovil finished in 16 place.
th