Argyle demise gives Glovers hope

Stansfield tributes continue

THE demise of local rivals Plymouth Argyle will be a sobering thought to both Yeovil Town’s management and fans alike as to what the consequences can be for a football club in these tough economic times.

Being the most westerly club in the Football League must be a challenge; whether it be the cost of travelling to away matches, attracting away supporters to make the trip which helps swell the crowd, or just enticing players to the area.

It is sad to see that the famous Pilgrims and their ‘Green Army’ supporters look like they will now face relegation, or if not, a very hard job to maintain League One status, but of course it helps Yeovil Town in their own quest to avoid relegation.

However the club cannot get too complacent as teams around them are starting to put little runs together that are inching them either further ahead or catching them up.

The Glovers had their own mini-run that got them moving clear of the relegation zone, but three consecutive losses has plunged them back down on the brink, only enhanced by Argyle's ten point administration deduction.

In all the matches they had enough chances to have won the games early on, and it is a worrying fact that they create and waste so many opportunities, whilst the opposition - despite many fewer shots on goal - score a much higher percentage.

We know strikers are at a premium, but surely you can’t miss as many as Yeovil have; it’s not all bad luck... and manager Terry Skiverton will be aware that at present this is his Achilles heel.

ADAM Stansfield was one of my favourite players, and I believe that if he hadn’t broken his leg in the opening match of the 2002-03 season - from which he never really recovered his form of old - he would have been a sensational player and gone further than League One level with the Glovers and Exeter.

It was great news therefore that Flybe, main sponsors of The Grecians, have honoured him by naming one of their aircraft after him complete with a picture in his Exeter City kit. A great tribute to a great footballer who I think would have achieved more.

Such was his popularity that the Adam Stansfield Football Foundation has been set up to support and encourage participation in youth football across the South West region, and there are no shortage of people and organisations looking to give support.

Bristol Rovers Football Club director Ken Master is walking between the three grounds of Bristol Rovers, Yeovil Town and Exeter City to raise cash for the charity.

Ken (66) whose wife is currently recovering from a major bowel operation will walk from the Memorial Stadium and visit Huish Park on April 2nd when Rovers are the visitors, before continuing to St James' Park and then returning to the Mem in time for the Grecians' visit on April 9th.

Meanwhile, Hereford United supporter Adam Wright and three pals are planning to visit all 92 Premier and Football League grounds as well as his first club Elmore in the space of 80 hours.

They hope to visit Huish Park in mid-afternoon on the first day of their challenge on March 9th before returning to Edgar Street, home of The Bulls, one of Adam’s former teams on March 12th.

Any signed shirts, balls, pennants and other memorabilia will be auctioned at a later date in aid of the foundation.

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