As it was so well received previously by the Green and White Army, the club has decided to issue another general update on all things off the field at Huish Park. The latest answers to fan’s FAQs are:
Summary of current club operations
It remains the case that the vast majority of staff are on furlough of one type or another. Some have been on furlough completely for several months, others are now on part time furlough as the system allows, but in many cases, this is only one day a week. This means club office operations are still much more limited than normal and we do not see that situation changing for a number of weeks.
Our media volunteer and elements of our reduced size Academy continue are operating full time. Also, Yeovil Town Community Sports Trust continues to do great work in engaging with our community.
The club has been in regular communications with the Chairman of the Supporters Alliance over the last few months and hope to have a meeting with the full Alliance Committee in mid-September.
All senior playing staff are in their closed season but will return to preseason training next week. Our Academy players are now also back in training.
Crowdfunder
The club is immensely grateful for the fantastic support the fans gave to the Crowdfunder.
As previously mentioned, the club can confirm it has now received the Crowdfunder monies and has moved on to step two of the process which is contacting everyone who bought packages via the Crowdfunder to both thank them and explain how matters will move forward with their particular package. This process has now been completed.
The 10% contribution to the Yeovil Hospital Charity will be made at the first home league game of the 2020/21 season.
Other Fundraising activities
One of the most impressive parts of the support fans have given the club over the last few months in addition to the Crowdfunder is the fans who have helped out in other ways, such as the virtual pint, arranging their own fundraising activities, declining refunds on ticket or season tickets and even in some cases simply writing into the club with donation cheques. The club is determined that everyone who helped out in these ways (or via the Crowdfunder) should be thanked and is currently looking at ways this can be done given the numbers of people involved (over 400 we estimate) and the current restrictions on social gathering.
New Season Start Date
The National League anticipates the League programme will start on 3 October and will end on 29 May 2021 (with play offs in early June).
As mentioned previously capacity for league games at Huish Park early in the season will be significantly reduced due to government restrictions and a new spectators code of conduct will be produced to help us provide supporters with basic information they will need in order to return to Huish Park and a maximise capacity.
Via a proactive partnership with our fans, YTFC are committed to hosting games as safely as possible.
Ticketing & Season Tickets
The recent survey of season ticket holders was very well supported – over 600 responses were received so thank you for your support. Those answers have enabled us to shape our plans for hosting games with reduced capacities at the beginning of next season.
The reshaping has meant a delay in putting season tickets on sale, but they will be available from early September (watch out for a fuller story on this matter next week).
Following a request from the Supporters Alliance the club is setting up arrangement with a finance partner so fans can spread the payments for season ticket if they wish (subject to terms and conditions).
General enquiries regarding tickets can be made via ticketoffice@ytfc.net
Club Shop
The stock in the club shop has been reduced to an absolute minimum ahead of a major overhaul for the start of the 2020/21 season. Fans next season can expect to see an improved range of stock as well a long overdue new club shop website.
For these reasons the club website is offline, and the shop remains closed to visitors, but the club does have temporary measures in place so fans can order any remaining items. More information on this is available HERE.
Pre-season games at Huish Park
At this time, we understand any home friendly would have to be behind closed doors. It is likely that there will be only one home friendly at the end of September.
Special Playoff Kit
This has now sold out.
Playoff Banners
Some of the fan banners the club displayed at the recent playoff game still remain to be collected. These can be collected from the club office (10am to 4pm, Monday to Fridays).
Next Season’s new kit
The new 125th Anniversary Kit is being produced currently and is anticipated to be made available for pre-sale at the end of August.
Player Update
The list of players currently contracted with the club for next season is: Carl Dickinson, Lee Collins, Lawson D’Ath, Courtney Duffus, Myles Hippolyte, Alex John, Charlie Lee, Rhys Murphy, Gabby Rogers, Adam Smith (loan), Albi Skendi, Josh Staunton, Luke Wilkinson and Matthew Worthington.
Face In The Crowd
Thank-you for your support of our ‘Face In The Crowd’ campaign for our play off fixture against Barnet, in purchasing your cut out you have supported your club and we are incredibly grateful.
Fans who purchased cut outs now have two options. If you would like to collect your cardboard cut-out, please contact Mark Robinson on mrobinson@ytfc.net to arrange this. Alternatively if fans choose to leave their cut out at Huish Park we will redeploy in the main stand for the new season and leave them in place until all capacity restrictions have been lifted (at which point fans will be able to collect them using the same contact point).
Club Lottery
The club lottery continues as normal, with the exception of door to door collections which are still suspended. For more information please see https://www.ytfc.net/commercial/lottery/
Private Members Draw
Unfortunately, the normal match day draws have not been possible, so additional draws will take place when games return until the correct number of draws is reached.
Pitch Maintenance
Closed season pitch maintenance started on 24 July and will finish later this month.
Prizes the Club Has Promised to donate to support fan fundraising activities
Over the last few months, the club agreed to support individual fans fund raising activities with prizes, in some case season tickets for the 2020/21 season for example. Organisers of these competitions are asked to email ticketoffice@ytfc.net to confirm the contact details of the winners. Once these are received the winners will be contacted by the club.
And finally…
Thank you once again for your outstanding support, fundraising and patience.
