27th October 2015

Yeovil Town Chairman John Fry has issued a reply to supporters who were critical on Saturday during the first half against Cambridge United as The Glovers went three goals behind.
 

Fry said: “I understand how disappointed the supporters must be feeling after the last two relegation seasons. They pay their money and they want entertaining football and above all they want to see their team win.   

"But these are the facts:

1. The club has had to endure a crippling injury crisis the like of which the manager has never had to contend with in all his life in football.

2. All clubs in the Football League have to work within the new Salary Cap Management Protocol rules which stipulate that clubs can only spend 55% of their football turnover, and with gate revenue continuing to fall, there is little or no scope to bring in better players. 

3. Due to the transfer window rules, there are restrictions in bringing new players to Huish Park until the start of next year. Then one will have to go out, before another one can be brought in.

4. After rebuilding the playing squad following our relegation from League One, sacking the Football Manager at this stage of the season would be a backward step, however, it is time to seriously look at our player recruitment system and coaching methods.

“Paul Sturrock has huge experience having managed in the Premier League in England and Scotland, the Championship, League One and Two and he has several promotions on his CV not to mention over 500 games in Scotland, several international caps and two World Cup Finals to his name. 

“When he joined the club he had to sign almost a complete new squad of players which involved terminating fixed term contracts and negotiating new ones.

“To hit the jackpot with all the new players would have been extremely lucky.

“Having signed those players the team needed time to gel. And then the injuries started to take their toll.

“This club has recently enjoyed unbridled success including a Wembley play-off final and promotion to the Championship.

“The club’s board of directors are one of the most conscientious around, and all give their time and expertise for free, and that includes myself.

“But in football success can never be guaranteed and when the tides turn it needs hard work and dedication to bring about change.

“That is what is happening right now, so I say to all of those loyal, but disappointed Glovers supporters this is a time for cool heads and a not for knee jerk reactions.

“Everybody at the club from the office staff, through to the manager, players and board of directors has to work that little bit harder to turn things around, which I am certain will happen.

"Whether a quick turnaround of events can be achieved remains to be seen and with tough away trips to Carlisle in the League, Gillingham in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and Maidstone United in the FA Cup, all our nerves will be stretched to the limit.

"But there is some light at the end of the tunnel with injured players set to return soon and an encouraging second half display against Cambridge that almost turned things around last Saturday.

"With over a third of the season already gone things need to change quickly."