Who Are Ya? - Yeovil Town (#1) - Vital Lincoln City

Thank you to Yeovil Town supporter Matt for answering these questions!

How Long Have You Supported Yeovil?

This is my 30th year of supporting The Glovers.

Last Season’s League Finish?

Very similar to this year’s, 20th. Since we returned to League 2 that seems to be our natural position, which is worrying as we’re not making any progress.

What Do You Think Of Your Manager?

It’s difficult because Darren Way is a club legend as a player but he doesn’t come across as being cut out for management. He’s a nice guy and his heart is firmly in the right place but his lack of tactical ability and baffling sound bites are frustrating to put it mildly. Most of our fans are keen to see him go but we know he’s the cheap option and that’s what our board look for.

What were for hopes and expectations at the start of the Season?

Not much to be honest. We did put together a decent squad on paper and because we started giving 2-year contracts last season there was some continuity, however, we are yet again hugely reliant on loanees and free agents. It’s been a bit Groundhog Day for the last three years, survival is seen as a success.

One(s) To Watch?

Francois Zoko is still rolling back the years to be our top scorer for the third year in a row and is definitely our biggest goal threat. Otis Khan is the name people will be most familiar with but while he is our most skilful player he’s been in and out of the team due to his attitude. Tom James won most of the Player of the Season awards and has been a rock at fullback, he’s probably our most exciting young prospect.

What were your top seven predictions?

I had Luton to win and Coventry, Exeter and Notts County in the playoffs so not bad. Embarrassingly I thought Chesterfield were going to do well…

Who do you think will go down with Chesterfield?

Up to last Saturday I would have said Barnet but their upturn in form coupled with a home game against Chesterfield to finish means Morecambe are looking very dodgy, so I’ll say The Shrimps.

Thoughts on Lincoln City?

You’re a great club with a lot of history and I’m very envious of what your current management have achieved. I know a lot of people brand you as a very direct team but you do what you have to do to get results and it’s obviously worked in recent times.

Score Prediction?

We’ve got nothing to play for and you need a point to secure a playoff place so I can see an easy 3-1 win for Lincoln.

Random Fact About Your Club?

Our hit single ‘Yeovil True’ reached number 36 in the charts in 2004 despite only being sold in the Yeovil branch of WH Smith.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Yeovil supporter?

Proudest has to be the day we won the League 1 play-off final in 2013 although winning the Conference in 2003 comes pretty close. There were quite a few embarrassing moments during the dark days of the mid-90s when we spent time in the Isthmian League, the worst of which was losing to Walton & Hersham in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

We do, the Glovers Trust. They were formed a couple of years ago, born out of the frustration at the lack of co-operation and transparency from our board. Their role is to give the fans a voice when we are feeling increasingly disenfranchised by the minority running our club. It’s still early days but fingers crossed we can grow and make a difference.

Which was your favourite match involving Yeovil?

It’s got to be the 5-2 win after extra time at Nottingham Forest in the 2007 League 1 playoff semi-final 2nd leg. Dead and buried at 2-0 down after the home leg we just went for it at their place. The drama of Marcus Stewart’s late header to force extra time sends shivers down every Yeovil fan’s spine!

Which was your least favourite match involving Yeovil?

We played at Port Vale in the FA Cup last December and at the time I described the first half in particular as the worst 45 minutes of football I’ve ever seen. I still refuse to acknowledge that a game of football occurred that day, it was that bad.

Discipline seems to have been a huge problem at the Club this season (10 red cards?!). Has that been down to refereeing decisions or just a lack of discipline through the squad?

All but two have been straight reds so that tells you something. I think the players have been frustrated with how the season has gone and sometimes that has come out on the pitch. I don’t think our manager’s tactics have helped that.

You had a money-spinning FA Cup tie against Manchester United in the FA Cup. Was the money from that spent on players, or on Club infrastructure?

Not much has been seen of that money although we’ve already signed some players onto two-year contracts before the season has ended so that’s probably accounted for a small amount. As with most windfalls, our board say it’s needed for, as you put it, “club infrastructure”. Hmmm.

Who Are Ya? – Yeovil Town (#2)