Page 14 - Yate Town FC v Merthyr Town 261222

HISTORY YATE TOWN FC

Early History: Yate Town’s earliest history began in 1906 as Yate
Rovers. That team disbanded after the WWI and then reforming as
Yate YMCA. An early legend was Frank Boulton, one of four
brothers, he eventually went on to play for Arsenal. After the
Second World War Yate YMCA competed in the Bristol and District
League and the Avon Premier Combination and were amongst the
founding clubs of the Gloucester County League. In 1959 the YMCA
was dropped in favour of Town with home matches played at at
Yate Aerodrome (1954-1960) and Sunnyside Lane (1960-84).
In 1983 joined the Hellenic League and the first step of the National League System and
promotion the following season. This resulted in a need to improve the playing facilities
and in 1984 Yate Town relocated to the current ground at Lodge Road. The first section
of covered accommodation erected in 1987 and floodlighting in 1988.
The 90’s: 1993/94 Yate competed in the Midland Division for the third time and with a
disappointing season in which relegation was narrowly avoided. The League restructured
for 1994/95 and Yate moved to the Southern Division but after a poor start long serving
manager Pete Jackson handed over to former Bristol Rovers favourites Ian Alexander
assisted by Phil Purnell. A credible sixteenth finish in the table followed plus runners up in
the Senior County Cup, with a top half finish the following season.
The club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1996/97 and not long after appointed John
Freeguard as Manager for 1997/98. This was short lived and with just two victories from
seventeen games he resigned and was replaced by Martin Durnell assisted by Club Captain
Danny Iddles. Despite these changes the Club still finished in the relegation which was
avoided due to a restructuring of the Southern League. 1998/99 saw the club finish 20th
in the Southern League.
1999/2000 Yate moved to the Midland Division (another reorganisation of the League) and
relegation followed and the club slipped into the Hellenic League. Manager Martin Durnell
resigned and was replaced by former players Gary Hewlett and Richard Thompson (the
current Director of Football).

The Noughties: 2000/01 Yate enjoyed a long run of victories that saw them finish in third
place in the Hellenic league. 2001/02 Yate finished third and then in 2002/03 runners up.
North Leigh were crowned champions but declined promotion which was then offered to
Yate by default and the club returned to the Southern League. 2003/04 the club finished
a credible sixteenth position. 2004/05 Yate finished runners-up in Division One West and
promotion to the Premier Division for the first time. Additionally, they won the Senior
Challenge Cup for the first time in their history, beating Bristol Rovers 2:0 in the final.
2005/06 finished sixth at the end of the first season in the Premier Division and retained
the Senior Challenge Cup beating Cheltenham Town in the Final. 2006/2007 and 2007/08
Yet finished both seasons mid-table. 2008/2009 the club sat in the relegation zone after
twenty games and Richard Thompson left in February 2009. Dave Mogg who had
previously been an assistant at Taunton Town and Weston Super Mare was appointed as
Manager but change was too late and the club was relegated to the South & West Division.
2009/10 a young squad managed to finish mid table and more experienced players were
added for 2010/11 but with little improvement in results David Mogg was replaced by Rob