1st August 2013
Yeovil Town will embark on their landmark season in the Sky Bet Championship with an opening fixture away at London side Millwall.
The Lions, managed by former West Ham legend Steve Lomas will be hoping to avoid another season looking over their shoulders, their 20th place finish last season saw them stay up by just the two points.
But, with a new manager and a new season they will have new hope of a positive campaign.
Lomas has taken the reigns following Kenny Jackett’s departure during last season.
As with most sides during the summer Lomas’ side have been active in the transfer window, seven have gone – including former Glover, Steve Mildenhall – and no fewer than eight new faces could make their debuts at the weekend.
The star signing is arguably Steve Morison from Leeds, initially on loan. The former Norwich man is back at the New Den after a prolific spell between 2009-2011.
Morison will line up with the likes of Jermaine Easter and Scott McDonald both with a host of Championship experience.
It was the Leeds loanee who scored the only goal in Millwall’s final preseason game, a victory against Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.
The game was played as a testimonial to long standing captain Paul Robinson who, should he play against Yeovil, will notch up his 291st appearance in the blue of Millwall.
Whilst playing at this level will be a new experience for Yeovil fans, playing against Millwall is actually nothing new.
It was as recently as 2010 when the sides last met. A 0-0 draw was played out at the New Den in September of 2009 whilst a Dean Bowditch goal earned a point at Huish Park in the reverse fixture.
In fact, Millwall haven’t taken all three points of Yeovil in the last four games; three draws and single Yeovil victory since the 2008/09 season.
For the Glovers, Jamie McCallister remains a doubt through injury, as does Nathan Ralph, but with a plethora of defensive additions Yeovil could field any number of players in the gaps.
Other than that, it’s only Dan Burn, now of Birmingham, who will be missing from the side that started at Wembley.
New signings Michael N’Goo, Kieffer Moore and Sam Hoskins will be fighting for positions in attack while Joel Grant will be taking on the established midfielders with Billy Clifford.
The Lions have been a Championship side since 2010 when they finally cracked their play-off curse gaining promotion at the sixth attempt – some sides just need the two bites at the cherry – but since then have held their own in the second tier.
May the 19th may have been the most enjoyable day for Glovers fans, but maybe August the 3rd will be the most significant.
Famous Fans – who could you bump into in line for a hotdog?
David Haye (Boxer), Danny Baker (Radio Broadcaster) and Des O’Connor (Entertainer)
A foot in both camps – which players have played for both sides?
Steve Mildenhall, Kim Grant and Marc Bircham among others.