Scandal had rocked the city of Yeovil in the course of the summer season of 1921. Elsie Hayward, an single seventeen 12 months outdated lass, had discovered herself ‘with youngster’. The Father she claimed was one Albert Singleton, sixteen years outdated that she been ‘stepping out’ with, younger Albert denied ever being ‘shut’ with the woman. After days of witnesses and headlines and none cease gossip, Albert, the choose determined that he was the Father, he would pay 6 shillings per week till the kid was sixteen and £2 for birthing value on the hospital!

In the meantime on the City Corridor, the Yeovil and Petters United FC, AGM was packed to listen to that the membership now had a turnover effectively exceeding  £2000, and had now was a significant enterprise. Nevertheless with the travelling bills the transfer to Huish, the paying of gamers bills and signing on charges, a revenue of £80 was introduced. It was fairly a outstanding achievement when contemplating 26 years earlier that they had been a membership taking part in on a subject at West Hendford with nothing greater than a rope round it and seen because the little brother of the Rugby membership. 

Taking part in within the Western League One had given the soccer loving public of Yeovil the possibility to see golf equipment they might by no means have imagined seeing earlier than – effectively their reserve groups. Mirrored within the crowds flocking to Huish of their 1000’s. Nevertheless, an issue had arisen, the massive weapons comparable to Bristol Metropolis, Bristol Rovers, Cardiff Metropolis and Exeter had determined to up sticks and take their reserve sides and plant them into the Southern League. Leaving the Western League threadbare with simply primarily provencial golf equipment. An pressing telegram was despatched to the Southern League with a request to make an software to hitch. A reply instantly got here ‘Utility too late, higher luck subsequent time – Bradshaw’. It meant the 1920-21 season could be performed with much less video games towards lesser groups, one thing that might sure to hit the golf equipment funds. In an try to stability this, friendlies could be looked for towards class opposition and the Bristol Charity league could be entered. 

One bit of stories that happy all was that the package for the season would revert again to the standard Inexperienced and White stripe and put a welcome finish to studies labelling the workforce ‘the Lilly Whites.’

4 trial matches had been organized in a two week spell in August, an excercise that did not produce a lot, the ultimate match being largely knowledgeable v amateurs match with the identical gamers from a season earlier. The cash raised from admission charges for the trial matches going to the Common Misery fund, for folks struggling from the impacts of the Nice Conflict – £9 being raised. 

Huish was the beginning place for the 1921-22 season for the skilled XI being warmly welcomed on their new Inexperienced and White striped shirts. Cardiff Corninthians, or extra affectionately generally known as The Corries, had completed all-time low of the Western League the season earlier than, a fairly simple sport for the Glovers was anticipated. In a hotly fought match Yeovil twice took the lead however had been pinned again to 2-2 on the finish. Percy Nutland and Ted England scoring the Yeovil objectives. The opening facet for the season being;

Gregory, Might, Day, Abbott, England, Potter, P. Nutland, Pilkington, Hayward, R. Nutland, Stidson. 

Stidson, the outdated Petters United participant making his one and solely look of the season. The Nutland brothers, Percy and Reg, had been an attention-grabbing duo. Two of 9 youngsters, their Father Tom being a normal Labourer. As youngsters they might be described in as we speak’s parlence as ‘tearaways’, uneducated and left to their very own gadgets, leading to being out and in of the courts. In July 1900 Percy was ordered to have three strokes of the birch for stealing 53 apples valued at 3d. Later he was then despatched to the Tub industrial college, a house for deserted youngsters. It was right here that it’s believed to have leant and homed his footballing abilities. When returning to Yeovil and earlier than being known as up for Conflict he was taking part in and scoring often for Petters United reserves within the Perry Road League. 

On the identical day because the skilled arm of the membership had been dealing with the Corries, the amateurs had been having a day to overlook on their first sport away to Blandford. The charabanc they motored in broke down that means the gamers having to stroll the final half to the bottom, arriving an hour late. Over 1000 Blandfordians lined the ropes to witness their workforce received 2-0. 

Johnny Hayward was now 34 years outdated, if opposition groups thought they’d see one of the best of him they had been mistaken, in September 1921, Hayward scored an unimaginable 13 objectives in simply 4 matches. 

The soccer workforce of HMS Gibraltar was mored off Portland itching for a sport of soccer, they turned up at Huish and gave an honest account of themselves earlier than taking place 6-1, Hayward serving to himself to 4 objectives so as to add to his tally. 

FA Cup attracts had all the time appeared to ship Yeovil to away matches within the Preliminary spherical, this season was to be the exception. Huish being the venue to tackle Welton Rovers. Rovers had had the audacity to beat the Glovers 3-1 at Huish of their final match there. It was a match that was eagerly seemed ahead to by the  military of followers who packed the white grandstand. On the day, Yeovil had been unplayable proper from the off, Reg Nutland scoring twice and Hayward with one other  hatrick. The 5-0 scoreline not remotely mirroring the prevalence of the Glovers. 

When Branksome Fuel, arrived at their small floor in Bournemouth for the standard Dorset League sport towards the Yeovil beginner workforce, one can solely summise they had been in shock to see the total Yeovil skilled workforce flip up – Hayward and all! The match began with Branksome lacking just a few simple probabilities, ‘Johnny’ determined to offer them a lesson within the artwork of goalscoring, he completed with 5 objectives in a 7-2 win. 

Clutton Wanderers,from a small village close to Tub had been the following opponents within the FA Cup. Once more at Huish. The Wanderers turned up with two uncommon issues, firstly three siblings taking part in for them, the Magg brothers and secondly a basket of pidgeons to let off to half and full time to let the villagers know the rating. Yeovil quickly came upon that small village or not, Clutton had been a robust effectively organised facet, which mirrored with them laying prime of the Somerset Senior League. Nevertheless by half time, Webb and Hayward (His thirteenth aim of the month) had scored and that is the way it stayed till the tip, one can solely joke the pidgeons acquired house safely with the rating. The native media has a novel illustrated strategy in reporting the match. 

A really profitable month for Johnny, sadly was not one for one more followers favorite, Stan Abbott, while working, in one of many quite a few Glove factories within the city, he had caught his hand in shifting equipment and  ‘acquired a really dangerous and painful harm’. 

October highlighted the fact of taking part in in a weakend Western League when not a single Western League match was performed, in fact leading to much less income. 

Portland United visiting for a routine Dorset League match should not have been out of the odd. Using excessive within the league, The Islanders arrived with a big group of followers, not unusual in these days within the Dorset and Somerset leagues. As matches go, it was a hotly contested one, finish to finish, thrilling,  a match that had you within the fringe of your seat, Portland twice taking the lead, with Yeovil every time pegging then again. Close to the tip, dangerous refereeing sparked off extraordinary scenes. Reg Nutland picked the ball up from the half approach line and in a macey dribble scored on the ‘City Finish’, a lot to the delight of the Glovers’s followers. Referee, Mr Wheaden of Chard determined a foul had been dedicated on Nutland within the run for aim and amazingly disallowed the aim and gave a free kick to Yeovil. The choice induced outrage with followers coming onto the sector of play to confront Mr Wheaden, he ordered them again with a ‘Do not inform me in regards to the sport’. Lastly order was restored. Swetmen took the free kick for Yeovil and in disgust intentionally shot miles over and extensive. The match end 2-2. All was not over although,some Yeovil followers had been after blood and selected to focus on the Portland followers. Arthur Shortland, a Glovers supporter, attacked a Portland fan after the match outdoors of the Mermaid Resort. While the 2 males violently fought, a PC Myers appeared and in trying to separate them was punched by Shortland, knocking his helmet off and giving him a black eye. For the offence, Shortland was sentenced to at least one months imprisonment with arduous labour. 

Hanham Athletic in Bristol was visited within the subsequent spherical of the FA Cup, thus far one of the best FA Cup run the Glovers had skilled for ten years. When Yeovil and their followers arrived they had been astonished to find the pitch was little greater than a subject, not even roped off and uneven from one aim to the opposite. A brace by Johnny Hayward not being sufficient because the Glovers went down 3-2, with at occasions the Linesman being unable to make choices because the followers had been in entrance of him!

As leagues go, the Bristol Charity league could possibly be classed as one of many pointless in historical past. A league with simply three groups, Yeovil, Welton Rovers and Horfield United. Yeovil, in fact getting into in desperation to fill out the fixture checklist. Horfield United  had been the primary guests to Huish. Intelligently, Yeovil used the chance to play a few trials, Okay. Lay from Bourton close to Gillingham and the quick skillfully winger George Bruzas, beforehand with Tub Metropolis and Welton Rovers. Each gamers impressed. In Mr. Graydon, the Horsfield workforce possessed the fattest participant ever to be seen on a Yeovil soccer subject, though apparently very agile. Though the Horsfield gamers had been vilified for his or her play appearing and diving to achieve free kicks – years forward of their time. Alas, to no avail as one other Hayward hattrick seeing the Glovers run out 4-2 winners. Lay and Bruzas had been signed on after the match. 

After Chard City had put paid to any success the amateurs had of their minds within the Somerset Charity Cup by profitable 2-1. One other pleasant was organized at Huish towards a younger Bristol College facet, who had been congratulated on their manners, sportsmanship and skill. Yeovil profitable 5-1.

After Johnny Hayward had accomplished his fifth hat trick of the season over Dorchester in early November in a 4-3 win at Huish, Western League soccer returned, when Welton Rovers got here to Huish, in search of revenge for his or her FA cup defeat, they did not get it, Hayward and Webb scoring in a 2-0 win. 

Plymouth Argyle had been spending their first season as a Soccer league membership making them one, if not the largest workforce within the South West. Their reserves drew the second greatest crowd seen thus far at Huish, the largest had been a match in the summertime when Tub Metropolis girls performed Plymouth Argyle Girls, in an exhibition match that noticed over 5000, pack Huish.  The reserve facet of the Pilgrims had been taking part in within the Southern League, the league Yeovil wished to enter, so check was had. On the day, Yeovil held on till two late objectives from Jack and Deacon received the match for Argyle, the Committee had been most likely happier with the £80 gate reciepts .

Amazingly, even after taking part in solely 4 matches within the Western League by the begginging of December, The Glovers had been in second place after a cushty 2-0 victory over Trowbridge City, a visit to Welton Rovers at West Cleeve, probably might see a  Yeovil win ship them prime. A disappointing 1-0 defeat put paid to that. Revenge was had per week later when the 2 sides met within the ever ridiculous Bristol Charity league, with its three groups competing. Even the soccer loving Yeovil public might see the futility of it, a small attendance noticed Yeovil 3-0 winners. 

Compared to the season earlier than and the distinctive high quality of video games by no means earlier than seen within the city, this season couldn’t have contrasted extra. Matches missing in high quality resulted in decrease attendances with these attending bemoaning the gamers who at time wanting like they did not care or simply going via the motions. 

The brand new 12 months got here and 1922 The Glovers travelled to Trowbridge, each going for the Western League Div 1 title, on a slippery moist pitch, Yeovil succumbed 3-1 and what seemed prefer it their likelihood of league success. It was to be the one Western League match of the month, the remainder of the month made up of Dorset and Somerset league matches  friendlies and the Bristol Charity Cup – hardly inspirational for the followers. 

While the amateurs travelled to Taunton to tackle Newton’s and Taunton, the professionals had been wanting ahead to an thrilling pleasant with a Bristol & District XI.Nevertheless, turning up with simply 5 gamers, with the opposite six gamers lacking the practice connection the match was deserted. The Reserve facet, who performed at Westlands had been rapidly despatched for to vary the situation of their match to Huish towards Milborne Port. Not many bothered to hold round and watch! 

The season lastly got here alive in February, primarily via the return of Western League matches. First up got here Weymouth, Yeovil giving a debut to new goalkeeper Treasure. Regardless of being one nil down at halftime, the consensus was the match was the Glovers for the taking, which the duly did with objectives from Abbott and Hayward. Per week later, Horsfield’s ropeless pitch was visited as soon as extra. Hayward carried out a masterclass scoring all 4 objectives, because the Glovers went in 4-nil. The second half it was a defensive masterclass as regardless of steady strain the Glovers travelled house with one other two factors underneath their belt. Plainmoor, Torquay was subsequent up, to face the Devonians reserves, once more a hotly fought sport, noticed Percy Nutland rating a easy faucet in to take two extra factors again to Huish. Nevertheless, to show Hayward was certainly human he missed a penalty!

The beginner wing of the membership had an issue towards Clutton Wanderers at house within the Somerset senior league. With 5 gamers injured, 5 fringe gamers, from the reserve facet had been known as as much as play. Briefly, Yeovil had been taking part in Yeovil District league gamers towards prime of the Somerset league. It confirmed, Clutton toyed with them earlier than ending 5-0 to the Wanderers. Unsportsmanlike habits of sections of the Glovers followers in direction of their very own gamers, rankled the Yeovil Committee, who took to the look press to indicate their disgust:

With crowds down on the earlier season, followers it appeared had been bemoaning the pricing construction for matches, questioning if the membership was being run for sport or for revenue. 

When Horfield turned up at Huish, Yeovil had been laying third on the league with Trowbridge and Cardiff Corries above them, the benefit was Yeovil had video games in hand on each of them. After the latest good run of kind a tremendous crowd turned out to observe Yeovil and Horfield do battle battle for the fourth time that season, Yeovil profitable all of the three earlier encounters. One factor for positive they should have hated the sight of Johnny Hayward, he’d scored eight objectives towards them in these three video games. By the tip of this match they hated him even, he’d scored one other three, in a 4-2 victory. Information filtered via that Trowbridge had additionally crushed Corrie, so the Glovers moved upto second. It was towards Corrie that the Glovers travelled to subsequent. 

Possibly the native press had been being barely hyperbolic ‘Yeovil’s best victory’ was how the 2-0 outcome was greated again in South Somerset. A visit to Wales was by no means simple, to get a outcome much more so, nevertheless to get a victory in Wales in a prime of the desk conflict perhaps one might see why the victory was handled with a lot pleasure. Haywards two objectives sprung Yeovil to the highest of the league, with nonetheless video games in hand. 

A trophy was assured after one other journey to Welton Rovers noticed Reg Nutland rating in a 1-1 draw, ensuing within the Glovers now profitable the Bristol Charity Cup, a contest that was so futile that Welton and Horfield, the one two different groups within the ‘league’ gave up and did not hassle taking part in their final sport. Not a lot celebration was accomplished within the streets of Yeovil both. 

April arrived, as all the time a backlog of fixtures would see the membership play 13 video games in a month, beginning with again to again fixtures towards Peasedown, three factors out of 4 just about guaranteeing Western League glory. 

‘A carnival of Soccer‘ was marketed for the Easter interval with three house friendlies over 4 days, cultimating in a six a aide match at Huish. All of which hoping increase funds. Considered one of of one of the best beginner golf equipment within the nation Dulwich Hamlet first arrived and gave the Glovers a footballing lesson by profitable 5-0. 

Dulwich Hamlet 1921-22

After Hayward had knocked on a pair extra in a 2-1 win towards Exeter Metropolis Reserves, it was the flip of Nice Jap Railway FC to come back down the tracks. Described, once more like Dulwich as top-of-the-line beginner groups in England with gamers from the Essex County workforce. Taking part in their third sport in 4 days, the Glovers received 2-1  in entrance of 2500.

One other 2500, turned up towards Torquay United reserves, all coming to witness Yeovil changing into Western League champions, they weren’t upset. A fierce hotly contested match that noticed the referee warn a number of gamers noticed the Hayward and Lay, clinch the title. Depleted it might have been for the season, nevertheless nonetheless it was a prestigious title, a far cry from the times the place the Somerset Junior Cup was seen as success. Over 400 glided by practice and 100’s different by motor to see the final Western League fixture away to Weymouth. One other brace for Hayward noticed rating his sixtieth aim of the marketing campaign in a 2-0 defeat of the Terras, a rare feat.

To finish the season a pleasant, marketed as a profit match was organised towards Runners-up, Trowbridge City, the match which the Wiltshire Boys received 1-0 was secondary, the 1700 turning as much as see Captain Hayward obtain the 2 trophies the membership had fought arduous for in the course of the season. Hayward accepting three trophy and despatched up full again and one other native lad, Invoice Day to select up the Bristol Charity Cup. Talking to the group, Hayward stated how proud he was and congratulated Trowbridge on being second. With the sounds of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ sang by all, it was throughout. 

Johnny Hayward and Invoice Day settle for the trophies

It will appear that loads of cider was supped within the night, leading to embarrassment being delivered to the cup. On the Cow Inn, Ilchester, a policeman heard robust language coming from the rear of the pub. On investigation he discovered 5 extraordinarily drunken males, amongst them Yeovil gamers, Reg and Percy Nutland. The 5 attacked the officer while within the line of his obligation, at one time all 5 on prime of him raining down punches. After help from the general public, Reg and Percy had been arrested and located themselves earlier than the bench the following day. Each being fined £5 or six weeks in jail. They took the tremendous! 

Joyful days!