Scrooge, chocolates and double booked - 1922-23

 After a previous season that saw the club play substandard games in a devalued Western League added with Somerset Senior League and padded out with friendlies you would  expect the 1922 AGM to be slightly downbeat. Alas, it was one of the most enthusiastic for a long time, with good reason. Yeovil and Petters United were moving on up, they'd applied and been accepted into the Southern League. Nevertherless substandard matches had brought substandard crowds and the club found itself in the red to the tune of £80. With further travel, a higher wage bill and countless other cost, the committee banked on the higher crowds Southern league football would bring to cover the overheads. Admission prices, which some supporters had complained about the previous season, would again be raised. 1sh to the ground boys under 14 5d and 2sh to the stand. Also to be undertaken as a matter of urgency was the building of changing rooms, as stipulated by the League Committee. Added to the professional Southern league, the amateur arm of the club would contest the Western Bristol Charity and the Dorset Leagues. With that the AGM was closed, short, sharp and businesslike. 

A sign of how the club was changing were the players brought in. No more were the days where a striker or goalkeeper would be called in from Martock or Maiden Newton. The search for new blood to represent the Glovers went far and wide. Amongst the new signings were Irishman Gallen from Chelsea, J. Money from Norwich, J. Gardner a 23 year old  from Ipswich who had represented the Southern Counties Amateur league as well as turning out for Norwich. Liverpudlian, William Wright, 30 years old also signing from Huddersfield, a player who was no stranger to the West Country after previously playing for Exeter City. 

William Wright 

Coventry City reserves at Huish opened this new era in Yeovil football. They arrived with eight players who had played in the Second Division (today's Championship) the previous season. In contrast, the Glovers started the match with five players born and raised within fifteen miles of the town. Yeovil's cash conscious committee were more concerned in the attendance than the result, they weren't to be disappointed as over 4000 turned out to see the Glovers receive a lesson in game management. Coventry scored in the first half, shut up shop, no matter what Yeovil tried they couldn't get through the Sky Blue's defence. Then caught Yeovil on a fast break to make it 2-0, and again shut up shop to the end. The side for the opening 1922-23 season being :

Gregory, Day, May, England, Gallen, Potter, Lay, Money, Wright, Hayward (capt) Matthews 

Welshman Tommy Matthews arriving from Ton Pentre FC, alas he didn't make the impact it was hoped he'd make and played most of the seasons with the amateurs. Ted England in defence a local lad who started off with Crewkerne Town. 

Tommy Matthews

Seven days later, it was Southend United reserves who were gracing the Huish turf. Again, 3-4000 attending, with the signature of Gardner confirmed in the week, he replaced local lad Lay and fast paced George Bruzas replacing Matthews. A much improved Yeovil attacked from the off, playing fast and controlled football, resulting with the Glovers being 2-0, both scored by Money and heading for their first Southern League victory. Alas it wasn't to be two quick goals one from Harry Pidgeon, who's later joined Yeovil, saw the match end 2-2, with both teams missing penalty kicks. 

Despite their now rising status in English football, the Glovers were still expected to enter the FA Cup at the lowest point, the extra preliminary round. Spencer Moulton FC, a team from the rubber factory at Bradford-on-Avon being their opponents away. Yeovil, requiring the extra financial benefits a good cup run would bring took no chances against their Western League opposition by playing their full Southern league side. It had the required affect, Johnny Hayward scoring his first of the season in a 3-1 victory. 

Spencer Moulton FC

Another sign of how football was changing for the Yeovil club was the introduction of midweek games, usually played on early closing days. For the town of Reading it was Wednesdays, so Yeovil travelled to Elm Park  hoping for their first Southern league victory. It wasn't to be, despite having most of the game and Hayward hitting the bar with such a forceful shot that the paint apparently flew off the post, Yeovil went down 2-1. 

There days later, despite no win so far, in the league, celebration was the order of the day against Portsmouth reserves, with the opening of the new changing rooms, situated in the corner of the ground by the main stand. Built by Bird and Pippard at a cost of £400 they had taken just five weeks to construct. A wooden building on a concrete base. A large space with a partition down the middle to make two changing rooms, the partition being pulled back to make one big room for inside practice. Two large sunken baths were also built into the concrete and a separate room for the referee. In these years, linesmen were supplied by the clubs. New changing rooms or not, the first win would have to wait, Pompey reserves running out winners 2-1. Although more worrying for the committee being that even with such an attractive fixture the crowd was 1000 down from the home match before. Just to compound the day the amateur side were beaten 7-1 at traditional rivals Weynouth in the Western League. 

Again the FA Cup brought respite, a home match against Peasedown St John from Bath. Yet another new player came in, Hillier from Weymouth as outside right. Hillier turned in a fine performance scoring on his debut. Further goals from Hayward and Wright with a brace each gave the Glovers a 5-2 victory. Hillier receiving all the plaudits in the press for his all round game. However, there was a mass of difference between the amateurs of Peasedown and the professionals of the Southern League. A week later against Boscombe at Dean Court, despite having two goals disallowed in the first two minutes, a large Yeovil travelling support saw the Glovers defeated 4-0 and rooted firmly at the bottom of the league. 

The FA Cup run was taking shape though, of course against inferior opposition. Calne and Harris FC arrived at Huish for the first qualifying round and four goals from Wright and a hat trick from Johhny Hayward saw a pitiful one sided game end up 8-1 to the Glovers, another relatively easy game against Welton Rovers at West Clewes being the reward. 

Kenilworth Road, Luton was the next stop, it brought the worst result so far, a 5-0 defeat in front of 4000. The Luton fans complaining that after going 4-0 up, the Hatters took their foot of the gas. The Glovers being described by the Luton press as 'not a good side and without Gregory in goal it could have been ten' . If fans thought the season could not get any worse they were to be sorely disappointed. Welton Rovers awaited them next in the FA Cup. 

Even though Western League Welton Rovers had dismissed Torquay United in the previous round  a trip to West Clewes should have been pretty routine and FA Cup progress  a formality, as most saw it. Within fifteen minutes the Glovers were two down, Gregory in goal at fault for both. A scrappy, ill tempered match continued in front of 1700. Welton decided that they could defend two goals for the remaining seventy-five minutes, did just that, playing with all eleven players behind the ball. With each kick into touch it was launched out of the tiny stadium. With thirty minutes to go Welton conceded a corner, only for a Welton fan to get the ball with his back to the field and kick the ball as far as he could. Wright found a way through and scored with eight minutes to go, but Welton doubled down on their unsportsmanlike behaviour. The two-one defeat compounding what was already an awful season. 

The team entered November without a win, a league one to their name, five  league defeats in six matches. A trip to Highfield Road, Coventry next up and one with zero chance given. Goalkeeper Ernest Gregory had been the custodian between the post virtually since the war. The committee decided his time had passed and relegated him to the amateur side and swapped him with Hayes who had impressed for Yeovil in the Western League. If by luck or judgement it worked. Yeovil shocking everyone back home when the score was wired back, Coventry City reserves 0-2 Yeovil and Petters United. Johhny Hayward scoring both. The result taking Yeovil off the bottom at the expense of Reading reserves. A week later Hayward was also on the score sheet at home to Luton with again Hayes performing well in a 1-1  draw. It couldn't last, two days later a tired Yeovil team met a strong Swindon side who swept the Glovers aside 3-1 a week later at Huish. 

After the Swindon defeat The Yeovil Leader, a local paper that focused on sport in the area gave a no holds barred  damning verdict of the team so far. Exclaiming everything from tactics to the wrong signings in the summer. Gardner the young lad from Ipswich being specifically singled out for some heavy criticism. For one Yeovil fan it was uncalled for and sent a letter to the local press, making the cardinal sin - criticising 36 year old, legendary striker Johnny Hayward. 

The letter was akın to Barcelona fans criticising Messi, a week later the same news paper was inundated with letters backing Hayward and condemning the writers ingratitude. Whether Hayward read the letters or not, he was inspired in the next match in the Glovers first home victory of the season, scoring twice in a 3-1 victory Reading reserves. 

The next four games resulted in just one point, fourteen goals conceded and just two scored. Guildford United being the lowest, a 6-1 hammering. 

One can only assume Ebineezer Scrooge was the fixture Secretary at the Southern League in 1922, setting Yeovil a gruelling schedule of three games in four days including the longest away trip the club had undertaken in their history. On the 23rd December, Southampton Reserves arrived at Huish and produced the most exciting match so far seen on the still new Huish pitch. Southampton raced into a three goal lead in no time, and another hammering was on the cards. With Wright upfront inspired slowly the Glovers turned it around, crawling it back to 3-3 with the crowd screaming themselves hoarse. Wright wasn't finished and added his fourth and Yeovil's winner just before the end, creating a pitch invasion at the end to carry the team off the field. Yeovil players could not rest though. The next morning, Christmas Eve, they were up early to catch the train to Norwich, leaving Yeovil at 11.15am and finally arriving in Norwich at 8.30 that evening and headed straight to their hotel. In Norwich on Christmas day, Wright the hero of the Southampton match, reported an injury, with no subs and only the bare eleven players the decision was made to play Wright in goal and keeper Hayes upfront along side Tommy Matthews. It was no surprise when the Glovers ended up 5-2 defeated. No time to rest though, as both teams were scheduled to play back in Yeovil the next day. Immediately after the match both teams travelled together to London, spending the night in the capital. Boxing day came, again up early and catching the 9. 00am train from Waterloo to Yeovil. On arriving in Yeovil at 12.15 the players immediately headed to Huish for a 2.30 kick off. It would seem that Norwich were the more travel weary, the Glovers ending their gruelling schedule 3-0 winners. With that the players finally returned home to their families and Norwich made the long trip back home. 

Another trip two days later, the last of 1922, to Brighton ended up with the most embarrassing result of the season so far, an 8-0 defeat, it wasn't the worst! 

Bill Tout, Bath City's captain didn't take to kindly to Yeovil's 3-1 win, at Huish in a stormy match on and off the pitch. Tout decided to argue with the crowd, Yeovil players and the referee and anyone who got in his way, later being fined for ungentlemanly conduct.

The handsome charasmatic Ex-Southampton striker Gabriel 'Sid' Kimpton arrived at Huish in February. Since retiring from the game, 'Sid' had moved to Prague, managing Jewish team DFC Praque. At 36, his playing days behind him, it came as a surprise when Sid announced he wanted to rejuvenate his playing career. The Glovers, laying second from bottom it would seem we're willing to give him that chance in desperation. Kimpton, a raconteur held court at Huish, telling stories to the local scribes of his experiences, including ending up in prison in Germany after failing to pay customs duty on a box of chocolates. 'Sid' got his trial and scored two in a friendly over the Bristol Suburban league. After that he was gone, seemingly playing not being his real aim but becoming the Yeovil coach. Maybe an opportunity missed, ten years later Kimpton was at the 1934 World Cup as part of the French management team and went on to be a success in France winning a number of French championships with various clubs. 

Gabriel 'Sid' Kimpton

High flying Bristol City reserves arrived in February, looking to reinforce their Southern League championship hopes. In probably the shock result of the season, a dogged Yeovil performance earnt them a surprise 3-2 win. A result that pushed the Glovers to third from bottom. A week later at Ashton Gate with virtually the same side that Glovers put on a dire and embarrassing show, going down 10-2!

A welcome 4-3 home win against Torquay reserves saw the Glovers play Hann in goal, a keeper who usually kept goal for the amateurs and on occasions for the Reserve side (third team) in the Yeovil District League. He was the fifth keeper to be used so far in the season. In March the answer to the goalkeeping prayers arrived. Bristol born Jack Vallis had the previous season turned out for Bristol City's Division two side. Only to be replaced by his brother Frank Vallis. The signing of Vallis was a significant coup for the club. Jack going on to be the first choice keeper for the next four seasons and making over 170 appearances for the club. 

'keeper' Jack Vallis 

Vallis's introduction produced immediate results, away and home draws against Swindon Town reserves  and Exeter City reserves. only the second time the Glovers had gone unbeaten in two games in the season. Following it up two weeks later with a fine 3-0 away win at Exeter.

With Irishman, Pat Gallen's Irish connection, Belfast United were invited to Huish for a friendly over the Easter period. Belfast included three Irish Internationals in their side and arrived with a strong reputation. Vallis in goal bringing praise for his agility with many fine saves in a Yeovil victory by the only goal of the match. 

Belfast Utd Circa 1922

Results started to improve, Brighton Reserves at home, saw Vallis again in incredible form, as Yeovil sailed into a 3-1 lead. A fine victory was on the cards until two late goals brought the match to a close at 3-3. Bristol Rovers reserves were up next again, a fine performance saw the Pirates well beaten 3-0, the Glovers climbing to 4th from bottom. Alas, after another win 4-1 over Millwall Reserves at Huish, the season finished with two defeats. Ten wins out of thirty-eight games was a much better return than had been predicted after the awful start, however the 104 goals against told the full story. William Wright being the top scorer with thirty goals, Johhny Hayward having, by his standards, a disappointing season with nineteen goals from his thirty-one games. 

The biggest story of the season was off the field when in April it was announced the club was to become a Limited company, 2000 shares were to be issued at £1 each. Fourteen directors would take over the running of the club, four from Yeovil, four from Petters United, four voted by the shareholders and two from the ever popular and hardworking supporters club. Taking over all the assets, the lease of Huish, the new company was to be named The Yeovil Football and Athletic company Ltd. As for choice as it's first chairman, the Mayor Ernest Farr could not have been a more popular choice. An ex-President of the club before the Great War, Ernest was much admired and loved and seen as a man of vision. 

Ernest Farr - The first chairman of the club 

Elsewhere in the club the 'amateurs' had faired much better than the 'professionals'. Despite points reductions after incredibly they'd forgot they had to play Dorchester on Boxing Day,, Dorchester arriving at Huish only to find Norwich City getting changed, they'd finished top on goal difference from Weymouth. Goals not hard to find during the season they'd beaten Wimborne 14-0! Although finishing third in the Western League, Yeovil held top spot until the last month. A  disappointing 3-0 defeat at Peasedown on the penultimate match of the season putting any championships hopes firmly to bed. 

On the pitch, it wasn't the best although fans witnessed high class games. A football loving public who just a few years before were being fed a diet of Blandford United, Street and Timsbury Athletic were now competing at some of the best stadiums throughout the South. One question remained, could they survive? 

Happy days.