Local businessman takes control at troubled football club
A local businessman has taken control of Yeovil Town football club ending months of uncertainty.
Martin Hellier, the owner of property company Hellier Group, has announced he has secured a majority shareholding at the historic club.
The announcement comes just weeks after a deal involving businessman Matt Uggla collapsed.
Uggla, the son of a billionaire businessman, was a director of SU Glovers, who said that they had taken stewardship of the club in March.
Yeovil were relegated to the National League South and failed to pay staff in April.
Hellier, a long-time Yeovil Town fan and sponsor has taken over from former owner Scott Priestnall.
Hellier Group has secured the majority shareholding of Yeovil Town Football Club, Yeovil Town Holdings, and the buy-back rights to the stadium and surrounding land.
Hellier said: “As local owners, our hearts are rooted in the wellbeing and progression of our community, and we pledge to every fan, our intentions to form one entity, one club, one community, and to finally, ‘Achieve by Unity’.
“This has been a long and stressful process, I have been passionate about my beliefs and feelings because I deeply care about this club.”
Hellier said he had not got involved in the deal for financial gain.
He added: “This has involved a vast amount of time and effort to arrange, it is because I have the very best interests of this football club at heart.
“I would like to thank the endless patience of the fans, players and the loving support of my family, as well as the tireless efforts of professionals around me, that have dedicated their time and efforts to securing what has been an exhausting process, the outcome of which is immeasurable in terms of unifying the hearts and minds of all that love this club.
“Please allow us to catch our breath, steady the ship, and bring stability, we have a very arduous task ahead of us, but one which we whole-heartedly embrace. I look forward to working closely with Mark Cooper and Josh Staunton who I know share my belief that Yeovil Town can return to brighter times.
“We ask that you invest your hearts and minds in supporting what is now our truly locally-owned, community asset, and lets collectively focus our ambitions in the progression of Yeovil Town Football Club. For too long, our fan-base has been divided, I would ask that this comes to an end.
“Following this week’s Glovers’ Trust Meeting, I look forward to working closely with the trust(s) / the newly formed ‘Save Our Club’ group and show that the club has, as of today, been saved.”
Scott Priestnall said: “It has been a difficult journey and I appreciate it has been hardest on you, the fans, most of all.
“I am confident that this transaction is one in the best interests of the club.
“Yeovil Town Football Club is a club that is, and always will be, very close to my heart. I wish the manager, the players, Martin and the fans all the best for the future.”
