20 Questions - Yeovil Town

Last updated : 06 January 2005 By Bigrich.....

Who are you; where are you from and how long have you supported your club?

Hugh Gleave (HHH on-line), originally from the West Country but exiled in Hertfordshire for 21 years.

What was your first game?

Can't remember. My Dad took me to a few games back in the Sixties when I was young, but the first season I can recall was when I started going with mates in 1970-71.

Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?

Hard to choose (in both categories!) out of hundreds and hundreds. With the confirmation of hindsight perhaps the most memorable was away at Halifax on a 4th of March evening in 2003. Probably only 250-300 of us away fans there, 2-0 down after fifteen minutes, we fought back in the second half to 2-2. Then deep deep into injury time Kevin Gall won it with his hat-trick goal, and at that moment I allowed myself to believe for the first time during the campaign that we were going to win the Championship and reach the holy grail Yeovil fans had wanted so desperately for over a century - the Football League. Dived in the pub for a swift few pints before the long drive home to find the icing on the cake - all the other results that evening had gone our way too. That was the moment the title was really settled psychologically. We didn't lose another league game, and ran out Champions by 17 points.

The worst? Thought for a while about this, but went for the last time I had tears in my eyes at a defeat. Sat 10th March 2001 at Rockingham Road vs Kettering Town. We'd murdered them for 85 minutes, but were only 1-0 up. In the final five minutes they equalised; then we got a penalty - and it was saved. They went down the other end and scored in the last minute through an offside move. The reverse of the Halifax game psychologically. I remember sitting on the terrace with my head in my hands convinced that was the moment the title race had been lost. Though there were more twists and turns that season we never really recovered from that game and finished runners-up to Rushden & Diamonds at a time when there were no play-offs. Winner took all.

Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?

Traditionally it's Weymouth, but we don't play them any more. When we went in to the League I thought it would take years to build a proper derby.

However we and Bristol Rovers have developed a major dislike for each other remarkably quickly, probably aided by the fact that our respective current managers loathe each other.

Who are the best and worst players you have seen?

For Yeovil? Of the current generation Gavin Williams, who has just tranferred to West Ham. Going backwards - Howard Forinton, whose goals got us back into the Conference and who went to Birmingham City; John McGinlay - though he was still raw and unformed when with us, but went on to play for Bolton in the Premiership, and Scotland; and way back when I started watching Cyril Davies, who we sold to Charlton Athletic.

As for worst - come on.....why do you think we were Non-league for so long?

Which current or former Rotherham player impressed you most?

Rather embarrassing to admit, but Rotherham just haven't featured in my footballing life. Pretty sure most Rotherham fans would say the same about Yeovil.

How did you fare last season?

Missed the play-offs on goal difference. Sure most of us would have taken that from our first season in the League before the campaign kicked off, but when you get so close........

So, its the first time that we've met, what do you expect from us?

I expect you to win, narrowly. You are a Championship side, if struggling this season, and have home advantage. If it goes to a replay all bets are off mind.

Seeing as its the first ever meeting, tell us something about Yeovil!

We play football as it should be played - quick passing on the ground. We attack - a lot. We score - a lot. We don't generally worry too much about boring things like defending!

How do you think you'll finish up this season?

Hmm, hate tempting fate. I think we will get promotion automatically. As Champions? That I'm definitely not going to risk saying.

If Yeovil were a TV personality, who would it be and why?

The fans in the Main (Yeovil College) and Bartlett Stands would be Statler and Waldorf from The Muppets. There I'll leave the why unspoken.

Currently the club would be Julian Clarey - we're making a habit of coming from behind.

So what do you think of Rotherham?

Think there's a fair chance we'll be meeting again next season.

You're the original 'giant-killers', what's the best moment you've had during these games?

Personally rather than historically - beating Hereford United 2-1 in a replay at Edgar Street in Round 2 in 1992 knowing we already had Arsenal in the Third Round. Not only do we not like The Bulls; not only was it a last minute winner from Neil Coates who had come on as sub; but the progress to the next stage saved our club financially. There would probably not be a Yeovil Town as we know it today if we hadn't won that game.

Phil Jeavons, has banging then in at the moment! Any clubs sniffing around?

Chester City.........sorry, I'll try and stop laughing now.

Is your manager barking mad?

Gary Johnson is God for we Yeovil fans. In terms of what he has done for our club, and with no disrespect to the late Alec Stock, in my opinion he's the best manager we've ever had. He can be as mad, barking or otherwise, as he wants and it's all right by me.

Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?

F.A. Trophy in 2001-02, promotion in 2002-03, top of League Two, let me think for a nano-second....... that'll be a 'yes'.

Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?

Which ever one gives us the points that clinches the Championship.

Alternatively a repeat of last season's 4-0 slaughter of Bristol Rovers at Huish Park would be sweet.

What sort of line-up can we expect from you?

We've come out of the Christmas / New Year schedule with a host of injuries and knocks. Still unclear who will be available. If we have sixteen fairly fit bodies on the day that will be a bonus.

Predicted score?

2-1 to Rotherham.

Meat & Tatty or Chicken Balti?

Chicken Balti.

MillersMad would like to thank Hugh for his time, His site can by found at www.ciderspace.co.uk