With the end of a very turbulent season Yeovil Town Chairman John Fry writes to all Yeovil Town fans.

Yes it has been a very uncertain period that we have been going through, now that we are safe in the Football League, I do certainly feel as though a huge black cloud has disappeared from above the Huish Park Stadium. Well done to Darren, Terry and the players.

But now as we go into our last match of the season against Leyton Orient, we can look forward with new hope and expectation through the rebuilding of our club. Make no mistake about it, our relegation from the Championship League without adequate parachute payments, and fighting two relegation battles, caused massive financial damage to our club. I therefore give credit to my Directors, particularly Norman Hayward, for seeing what seemed an impossible task through to a conclusion. We are not out of the danger zone yet, but, we are in safe hands with Darren Way, and we are in a much better position than last season, that’s for sure. 

Since Darren took over from Paul Sturrock, he has created a totally different environment around the club that all the players, management team and behind the scenes staff have bought into, not only making our survival possible, but, to build a squad for the future. To turn results around in such a short space of time, was the work of someone special. 

Martin Allen’s words of praise in last Saturday’s match programme at Barnet, describes our miracle man, Darren Way, perfectly. I have reproduced Martin’s programme notes word for word as follows:

What a remarkable job this inspirational character has done for Yeovil Town. Bottom of the League and written off and this man comes in and inspires the same players and takes them towards mid-table safety and security and keeps the Club in the Football League. 

He has taken all these skills into management after successfully overcoming a serious traffic accident and to find himself where he is today is quite a remarkable story. Darren Way is a top man.

Next season we will have more challenges to face including losing two of our long serving staff.

Club Secretary, Jean Cotton, is semi retiring, as too is our Head of Media, Adrian Hopper. Jean has been an exceptional employee with over 23-years of unbroken service as our Football Club secretary. I wish them both a happy semi retirement and thank them for their many years of loyalty and service.  

But with change comes new opportunities with Kirstie Baker taking over from Jean, as the Club’s Joint Football Secretary/Office Manager, and with Rob Baker and James Healey stepping up in their respective roles, to spearhead our ticket and media departments.

Over the Summer period we will be working hard to put in place a five year plan to move the club forward. This will require a massive effort to turn our club again into a football force in the South West. We recognise to create the additional revenues to support our Football League ambitions and to provide our fans with a better match day experience, we will need to develop the Huish Park stadium & site, however, we will need your support and that of the local council to achieve this.

Without this development, the Club is doomed to stay in the lower leagues of the football pyramid forever. I certainly do not want this, and will fight all the way to succeed in developing the Huish Park resources, for Yeovil Town Football Club.

It has been a difficult couple of seasons – our energies now can be used to move the club forward. Sincere thanks to all of you for your support. It’s going to be a great Summer of anticipation and planning, and I look forward to seeing you back at Huish Park in July for a full programme of friendly matches.

John Fry