Tragedy, Vassall and Gold watches. 1894-95
The untimely death of Arthur Paul Read was not the only tragedy to befall the club in the Summer of 1895. Harry Hutchings, normally a rugby player but at times had played for the Association team, tragically drowned while on summer holiday in Cambridge.
A telegram was immediately despatched to his friend back home simply saying :
'Hutchings drowned - break news gently to parents'
His parents living in Sparrow Lane (now road) were heartbroken.
Tragic can also describe the awful financial state of the club. At the AGM in September 1894, it transpired that the previous treasurer had participated in some very creative accountancy which upon inspection showed the club shockingly were £8 in debt compared to the profit it had previously announced. Tradesmen throughout the town were owed money, it was hear, this news bringing cries of "shame" around the room.
Also controversial was the appointing of the President. One name put forward was Mr. Edward Strachey the newly elected MP for the town. Cries of "do not bring politics into this club" were wisely shouted. Other topics on the agenda were
* Season tickets to be sold a month before the AGM took place with the given of complimentary tickets to be stopped.
*A hawker to be employed to stop the sparrows eating the freshly planted grass seed on the pitch.
* The owner of the club's HQ, the Three Choughs had complained about the behaviour of visiting teams after supping too much ale. A letter was to be sent to all visiting teams to warn them of their conduct.
Interestingly, not one mention was given to a split in the club, which had been the hot topic at the previous AGM.
As we know now, this was going to be the last AGM of the club as a joint entity, and the last season of playing at West Hendford. Thankfully, also the last season the club would wear maroon shirts! Incidently supplied by Mr.Mcmillan in the High Street.
The season started with a visit from Chard Swifts, a team made up from the Congregational Church in the town. In a pointless match, Yeovil won 8-0. Also a match that one dissatisfied Yeovil fan, calling himself 'Rheumatic' was not happy about, as he voiced his anger with a letter to the Gazette.
"The number of spectators at the Yeovil and Chard match was very small, and I don't think the committee will see good gates' unless there is some show of punctuality. The match was advertised for 3.15 and began at four. People who plan out their leisure as carefully as they do their business hours won't come to waste three-quarters of an hour on cold ground, It is no answer to say the visiting team was late. The match could have been advertised for four, or some other time which would be kept. There surely are some experienced committee-men who can see the necessity of alteration"
The season in earnest commenced a week later with a visit from Wincanton, their first year in senior football after winning the Junior league previously. A match that was hotly contested eventually ending 0-0. Sending the 'cantonians home happily which was to turn out an excellent season for them.
In the coming weeks, Minehead and Midsomer Norton were visited with just one point being earnt. Then the hotly awaited game with the nemises, Wells City away, a match that many Yeovil fans had been waiting for to gain revenge on the dastardly antics of Wells in previous seasons. Revenge would have to wait though, in a match that was a 'hard battle for both sides' Wells ran out winners by three goals to two. Revenge would come though and be so sweet!
Christmas arrived with a mediocre half of the season over. Yet, the club lacking forethought, had failed to arrange any lucrative games over the festive period. A hastedly arranged match at West Hendford the only offering . The Rugby team v the Association team, with rugby rules. Of course a victory easily for the former. The match sadly described as
" a poor poor wretched spectacle for those that witnessed it resulting in the club refunding all spectators"
Inclement weather set in immediately after, cold frost, snow and rain lasting for weeks, meaning that it wasn't until mid-January that Yeovil played again. A match against Midsomer Norton at home that was just as the weather - dismal. Yeovil losing 5-1 in front of a mediocre attendance but the away supporters "cheered and screamed" with every Norton goal.
It was to be the clubs last match until March after worse weather had hit the area. Five heavy defeats in a row followed from Paulton in the North and Weymouth in the South, the season was turning again in a disaster and one to forget.
Radstock arrived in March, for their first ever game against Yeovil. A fixture in coming years that was to be excitedly awaited as any other. A rivalry built up slowly between the two clubs, a rivalry based on class. Radstock with players and officials from the coal mines of North Somerset. Yeovil, with players and officials from the more celebrated areas of the town. For this match though, it was Poor 3-2 Rich.
The Radstock match being one of the five matches in a row that the club tasted defeat in a season that was becoming it's worst yet.
Wells City turned up on the 24th March 1895. For Wells, and their excited fans that lined the ropes, it was to be a match of celebration. Win, and they'd be crowned Somerset Senior league champions for the third year running. It was a foregone conclusion against a Yeovil side that were heading for second from bottom at best.
Step forward a young lad from Hardington Mandeville making his debut. One of thirteen children of the Vicar of that parish. His name, Gilbert Claude Vassall. A player that would enthrall football crowds not just in Yeovil but throughout the country.
Wells, could not get near him, his lightening pace, his clever skills, the accuracy of his passing, it was too much for champions-elect Wells City. Vassall, affectionately known as 'Cheese' to his friends, scored one and laid in two as a jubilant Yeovil won 3-2, thus gaining the revenge they had so desparately wanted and handing the League trophy to Wincanton. One can be assured though that Wells City officials went through Vassall's registration with forensic inspection.
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| Gilbert Claude Vassall |
Fred Bond, was just twenty-three years old but had already been the captain for five years. A much loved figure, respected by his team mates, the club officials and supporters of the Association team. At the 1895 annual Dinner, Fred was recognised for all of this with a Gold pocket watch inscribed:
Presented to F. J. Bond, by his football friends. In recognition of his valuable service as captain of the Yeovil association football team for the past five years. June 1895.
The dinner passed happily, talk off a new recreation field in the pipeline with a £1000 donation from the Mayor as a legacy to the town. The future as looking good.
The association boys had other plans though, they'd had them for a few years, just waiting for their opportunity.
That opportunity was about to arrive and they would take it, a new chapter of Yeovil Football club was about to take place. They were about to become Casuals - and Fred Bond would be it's leader.
Happy days!
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