In late August 1911, Petters United’s energetic Secretary, Mr Hares headed off to the Charlton Home Lodge in  Shepton Mallet with one goal, to make sure Petters United would develop into a Senior soccer membership and enter the Somerset Senior league. Thus competing on a degree subject as Yeovil soccer membership. In entrance of the Somerset FA Committee, Mr Hare pulled a bit emotional blackmail out of the bag by declaring that until Petters had been allowed into the senior league they might haven’t different to disband. He voiced {that a} progressive city resembling Yeovil ought to have the ability to have two senior golf equipment. With a promise that no poaching of gamers would occur the Somerset committee granted Petters want.

Petters at the moment had been a nomadic soccer membership with no residence floor to name it is personal. That they had used pitches such because the County colleges one in Kingston, the previous Yeovil pitch at West Hendford and prior to now couple of seasons a roped off pitch at Victoria Highway. It’s fascinating how they had been allowed entry into senior soccer with such primary facilities.

One factor they did have although was monetary backing, with President Ernest Petter, later to be Sir Ernest. The membership did not have a lot as this level, nevertheless they’d ambition and the assets to finance it. 

In the meantime, on the Glovers AGM, a file revenue had been introduced of £71, primarily all the way down to gate receipts. After 15 years Ernest Davis had stepped down as honourable treasurer and chairman of the committee after years of selfless work for the membership. As a mark of respect he was giving life membership, which he gratefully acquired. In his 15 years as treasurer Mr Davis had attended practically 300 conferences. 

M Farr broke the unwritten rule of ‘one time period and also you’re out’ and was voted again in as President. Herb Cook dinner the legendary keeper confirmed his resignation from the membership and the committee. 

The season began with a cash earner for the Hospital fund, a trial match between Colors and Whites. A match that the press described as surprisingly properly attended. 

The miners of Camerton FC had been the primary guests to Pen Mill a pre season pleasant , the conquerers of the Glovers within the earlier seasons Charity Cup nonetheless contemporary within the thoughts. A make shift facet of reserves, trialist and the odd first staff participant sneaked a 1-1 draw with Invoice Seymour scoring a penalty close to the tip.

One can solely summise the gamers response when the fixtures had been introduced and Blandford away was first up. The Glovers headed of to the Recreation floor, Blandford with a staff with little expertise and stuffed with reserve gamers., in actual fact six gamers making their debuts. Somebody Blandford had been with out this season was Nesbitt in defence and his proper handers! 

Blandford had modified from previous, they’d ditched the laborious line techniques and now we’re taking part in good passing soccer. Two evenly matched groups arrived at half time with the scores at 0-0. Yeovil within the second half took management, profitable 2-1 with Hayward on the rating sheet. 

The staff for the opening fixture of the 1911-12 season being :

Nicholls, H. Seymour, Johnson, Glanville, W. Seymour, Maidment, Harris, Bowen, Hayward, Younger, Garrett

William Glanville arising from the reserves the place he could be an influential a part of the staff. Maidment, beforehand had performed for Weslayan FC, the church facet regionally. Garrett had floated between Petters and Petters Reserves in earlier years. The earlier golf equipment of A. Johnson, Harris and H. Bowen are unknown. 

Timsbury AFC, a village staff from close to Tub had been a brand new entity after they got here to Pen Mill for the primary residence league match of the season. Taking part in their first season within the Somerset Senior league, a giant crowd turned out on a lovely September afternoon to observe the brand new boys in opposition to their heroes. Yeovil once more had been with out Hayward and once more removed from full power. With the away facet 2-1 forward at half time issues had been wanting not so  longing for the Glovers. Dicky Larcombe managed an equaliser although, which set the Pen Mill devoted in raptures. As Timsbury pressed for the winner within the final 4 minutes, the ball got here to Harris nonetheless in his personal half, who shortly noticed the Timsbury keeper off his line and with a towering shot that sailed between the put up. The factors had been Yeovil’s. 

Timsbury AFC circa 1911

It was a case of Deja vu, when Yeovil travelled to Stoke-sub-hamdon once more within the Somerset charity cup. The novelty had worn off and never fairly a giant a crowd because the earlier season noticed the ‘Quarrymen’ rating as soon as however went down 3-1,Hayward in his first sport of the season with a brace. 

If the Cup draw Gods might have given the Glovers a worse draw then it was laborious to think about. Away to Frome, the place their monitor file was interesting. In truth Yeovil had misplaced their final six video games there. The standard GWR full of Yeovil followers arrived at Badgers Hill and had been barely subdued. That they had each purpose to be, the staff had been outclassed and the ultimate 2-0 scoreline to Frome wasn’t a real reflection of their dominance. 

Frome City FC 1911

After St Luke’s Faculty paid a go to solely to search out Hayward in tremendous kind, scoring all three in a 3-0 win, it was the match all of Yeovil had needed to see for years. The 2 massive golf equipment within the city in opposition to one another. Yeovil v Petters United. This encounter being within the Somerset Charity Cup. Followers from each groups packed the bottom. Either side producing their greatest line ups, Yeovil selecting Walter Candy over Nicholls the ex-Crewkerne keeper. The match was finish to finish, each preventing for native pleasure and bragging rights within the quite a few pubs round city. Candy pulled off a panoramic save in opposition to the Black and Amber shirted Petters. The motion lulled late within the sport and a replay seemed to be on the playing cards. Within the final minute, Yeovil’s Harry Harbour acquired an extended go on the resort finish, he managed completely and handed instantly into the trail of Charlie Larcombe who fired in an unstoppable shot. flat caps had been thrown excessive as Yeovil took the city pleasure. 

Yeovil displayed what we might label nowadays as ‘sport administration’ away to Bradford-on-Avon within the Somerset league. With Yeovil 2-1 up, Clarke for some unknown purpose needed to set off again to Somerset, the Yeovil gamers at every alternative kicked the ball excessive up the pitch and into contact, rugby fashion. The tactic wasn’t to the liking of the sparse crowd, the Glovers caring not a jot continued it till the tip and taking the 2 factors again residence to South Somerset. 

At 2-0 down after just some minutes, the journey to Timsbury in entrance of 300 vocal native supporters indicated it was going to be an extended afternoon. The Glovers confirmed dedication and fought again to 2-2 earlier than the tip .

The main staff in West Somerset, Minehead FC arrived at Pen Mill to contest the semi-final of the Somerset Charity Cup, nonetheless a cup that almost all golf equipment did not hassle with. Solely 9 groups competing for it this yr. Minehead, arrived and had been badly underrated by everybody at Pen Mill, together with the gamers. The Minehead staff taking part in good passing soccer disposed of the Glovers 2-1. In Minehead individuals waited patiently outdoors the telegram workplace and celebrated jubilantly ready for the 8.55pm practice to drag in with the staff aboard. Minehead went into win the Charity Cup and virtually each cup they entered that season. 

Minehead FC 1911-12

After a tremendous however boring one sided match at Pen Mill in opposition to Dorchester City, simply received 5-0 with little opposition, the Glovers travelled to Bournemouth. Opponents this time had been Bournemouth Wanderers, who had arrange residence at Dean Court docket, Bournemouth. Though formally it was the house of Boscombe FC, an terrible efficiency in entrance of a very good crowd noticed Yeovil defeated 4-1 and Maughan miss a penalty. At Weymouth per week later the Glovers took on the Royal Garrison, not the perfect staff to play as they’d been ‘strengthened in all divisions by invaluable acquasitions lately drafted from Portsmouth’ in entrance of 150 troopers the Glovers had been out and run out muscled on a pitch that made good soccer unattainable, taking place 3-1.

A big crowd turned out on Boxing day  to observe the 2nd Scott’s Guards tackle the Glovers., though one can guess most being upset when after paying their admission charge on the entrance subsequent to the Pen Mill they discovered the Yeovil staff made up virtually completely of reserves. They did a very good job although, profitable 4-1.

The doorway to the Pen Mill stadium

1912 got here spherical and one suspects not many Glovers followers made the Somerset League journey to Frome, understanding full properly the seemingly final result. In truth Frome had not misplaced a Somerset league match at residence for practically 4 years. On the day although, the Glovers confirmed that they’d pulled collectively a tremendous facet that might make a severe problem for honours. Walter Candy in aim cementing his place with a tremendous penalty save and reacting shortly to avoid wasting the rebound, his save that means the groups had been 0-0 at “lemons”. The second half noticed the Glovers management from begin to end, firstly Charlie Larcombe scored from a observe up, then Pennell added a second and within the final ten minutes Johnny Hayward completed the Robins off with a quick run and shot. The Frome press offhandishly put the match down as a poor one with Yeovil hardly any higher than Frome. 

Blandford had been flying within the Dorset League, sitting high, 4 factors forward of Yeovil, and it was they who travelled to Pen Mill subsequent. The match was finish to finish, Blandford for giant elements in command of the match. Walter Candy in aim repeated his feat of week earlier saving a Blandford penalty within the first half, a lot to the delight of the spectators within the grandstand. The second half once more was finish to finish till the eighty fifth minute when a penalty was awarded to Yeovil on the Camborne finish. Harry Pennell stepped up and blasted it into the online. With Blandford attacking to discover a late equaliser, Hayward in typical trend broke away and slotted it previous the keeper with virtually the final kick of the match. 

One other previous rival Road FC arrived per week later, there second go to to Yeovil in a matter of weeks, as Petters had defeated them at their Victoria street floor beforehand. Road had additionally entered the stronger Western League and it was that they had been placing their assets into. Yeovil continued their tremendous kind with a brace from Hayward, his second being described as a thunderous. 

The preamble to a report of the match in opposition to Portland on the twenty seventh January 1911, describes completely how the lifetime of a Yeovil participant and gamers usually was in these occasions. 

‘ to begin with no correct services had been offered for the visiting staff, they having to encroach upon the genorosity of the troopers at Verne, the place the match was performed. Then after divesting themselves of their ‘togs’ and assuming the apparel relevant to the ‘soccer’ sport a transfer was made to the sector. Right here not a soul was to be seen. No nook flags had been up, and the sport was consequently performed with out these needed objects. On the kick off there have been six spectators, 4 of which had been Yeovilians, together with the author of this journal. This meagre quantity watched the match till simply earlier than the tip when a number of extra arrived from one other match performed regionally. Added to all this was the accompanying excessive and bleak Eastardly wind, which made one want for the hearth. Gamers and spectators had been numbed with the chilly. It was with reduction when the referee signalled the tip of the match, which ended 0-0′

By February, the Glovers had been flying, three laborious matches, all at residence in opposition to Poole, Bournemouth Wanderers and Frome had produced ten targets and none conceded. All performed out to exceedingly giant crowds and every match being the recent matter within the city. Nevertheless, after the Poole match probably the most sincere secretary had discover that Ricketts, a reserve participant drafted in on the final minute had, though signed types for all the opposite leagues, had not signed his Dorset FA registration. He instantly contacted the Dorset FA to spotlight the oversight. In an act of shock to all, even the opposite groups within the league as an alternative of a small tremendous, the Dorset FA deducted the membership two factors. It might have a devistating have an effect on afterward within the season. 

March got here bringing it the largest match to this point and probably the most tough, away to high of the Somerset League, Trowbridge City, unbeaten all season in all leagues. The week main upto the match, Trowbridge journalist got the percentages of a Yeovil win as zero, the ‘Moonrakers’ had been far too superior, they articulated. On the day over a 1000 descended to the Flower Present Area, Trowbridge’s quaintly named enclosure, with the grandstand packed lengthy earlier than the scheduled beginning time. 

The Grandstand on the Flower Present subject

Trowbridge as was to be anticipated began the stronger with close to fixed assaults. Yeovil hardly getting out of their very own penalty space. Nevertheless, after twenty minutes Hayward received the ball out vast, jinxed a few gamers and performed a half volley straight throughout the sting of the field, the place Harry Harbour with a primary time shot buried it into the online. The Yeovilians on the ropes and Grandstand went loopy. Within the second half, it was all Trowbridge, non cease like bees across the aim. The defenders headed, kicked, tackled jostled and battled for 45 minutes till referee Mr. Russell from Swindon blew his whistle to sign the tip. It was the proper snatch and seize. It was an excessive amount of to take for some Trowbridge followers who turned to hooliganism attacking Yeovil supporters. The outcome left Trowbridge nonetheless high, two factors forward with Yeovil three video games in hand. 

Trowbridge City FC 1911-12

Petters United had been having a torid time of their first season in Senior soccer, backside of the league and having zero luck. The go to of Yeovil, would at the very least give the ‘ironworkers’ an opportunity to acquire native bragging rights. Over 1000 walked previous Pen Mill a bit additional down the street to Victoria Highway to a subject with a rope round it. Each units of followers throwing insults at one another while on the way in which and while lining the ropes. The match was a one sided affair, Candy in aim for the Glovers  barely touching the ball, and Petters ensuing to kick and rush. The two-0 scoreline to Yeovil not doing their dominance justice. 

April 1912 arrived, little did anybody linked with Yeovil soccer membership know at this level that it could be one which performed with the feelings of all. 

Bradford-on-Avon had been up first, Yeovil simply three factors from clinching the Somerset league championship with three to play. It was all too simple for the Glovers, a 4-0 win with Hayward scoring twice so as to add to his tally.  Subsequent up, two days later had been Branksome Fuel, the previous foe. Each groups nonetheless in with a excessive probability to be topped champions. The match pulled the largest gate ever seen at Pen Mill, over 3000 paying over £30 to see which one would fall and which one would nonetheless be alive within the championship race after. The reply was Yeovil, in an thrilling match targets from Dick Larcombe and Johnny Hayward saved the double dream alive. 

The matches had been relentless, the very subsequent day, one other residence sport, win this and the Glovers could be the Somerset league champions for the primary time in ten years, the staff of their means – Petters United. With this being the third residence match in 4 days, it was hardly stunning the gate for this one though giant was not compared to the Branksone match. Most additionally seeing it as a forgone conclusion. They had been proper, Petters had been no match, the Larcombe brothers operating a mock, destroyed them 4-0. The outcome additionally cementing Petters to the underside of the league. It goes with out saying the takings within the native pubs rose that evening. 

One one that most likely heard of the Glovers success was Henry ‘Harry’ Spinner. A valued and far beloved member of the taking part in facet, principally for the reserves however often for the primary staff, trusted in some excessive profile matches. Harry had moved to Yeovil in 1911, from Worcester, enticed to the city by the glove business, his inventory commerce. Harry instantly joined the soccer membership, being on the working committee additionally. In 1912, Harry determined like William Barnes earlier than him his future lay in Gloversville USA. Leaving his spouse Harriet and 4 yr previous daughter Alice behind to observe on later. Leaving Southampton the day after Yeovil’s Somerset league glory on the Titanic. The remainder is historical past, his physique was by no means discovered and his tragic loss felt all around the city, none extra so than at Pen Mill. 

Henry ‘Harry’ Spinner

With the Somerset league within the bag, the membership went in search of the double per week later because the troopers of the Royal Garrison arrived at Pen Mill. The standard giant crowd crammed the ropes, to witness one other victory that may set the Glovers on their approach to Dorset league glory. The troopers themselves nonetheless in with an out of doors probability. With Invoice Seymour out injured, Yeovil obtained the permission from Petters United to make use of their defender Benfield for the match. With about ten minutes left on the clock two targets from Hayward and one from Charlie Larcombe had put Yeovil in a commanding lead. The troopers chalked one again by a defensive period, that means a nervous previous few minutes. The Troopers then performed a ball deep within the Yeovil penalty space, it fell to Benfield who in his knowledge determined to entice the ball and never head away, his management missing, the ball went straight into the trail of an opposing striker. 3-3, match over! The outcome did not go down properly, particularly Benfield’ s mistake and general efficiency, questions being requested of why a reserve participant was not known as up with their coronary heart within the membership. Nevertheless nonetheless an out of doors probability remained, subsequent up Poole FC away. 

The Poole match began badly, Invoice Seymour had been combating an ankle harm that saved him out of the Garrison match, after 5 minutes he could not proceed. Yeovil had been down to 10 males and the unusual sight of Johnny Hayward being despatched again to the centre of defence. They needn’t have apprehensive the ten males battled their approach to a 4-3 victory, handshakes all spherical, none extra so then  Charlie Larcombe who had scored an exquisite hat trick.

Road was invaded per week later by 100s of Yeovilians, many holding aloft Inexperienced and white umbrellas of carrying inexperienced and white ribbons on their chest, the forerunner to the rosette. The league was already within the bag, the had come for one purpose solely to witness Invoice Seymour be offered with the trophy. The match was incidental, Yeovil misplaced by the way in which 2-1 after a disputed aim, no person cared. On the finish of play Seymour acquired the good-looking trophy and declared how proud he was of the staff and the membership. Three cheers rang out. On leaving the Yeovil staff travelled to Ilchester and met up with the Reserve staff who had additionally been all conquering regionally, each groups travelling in a convoy again to Yeovil. Arriving at Yeovil hospital, tons of had gathered to welcome them, “Mr Peaty appeared to be in a really jubilant temper”  because the press wrote, one can summise beers had been taken. They travelled onto the Borough with every area full of jubilant properly wishers. ‘the best enthusiasm prevailed and lusty cheers  had been raised for the gamers who had nobly upheld Yeovil’s honour within the soccer World ‘

The season had yet one more sport to go, the final sport within the Dorset League, Longfleet St Mary at Pen Mill. The match had additionally taken on important because it was chosen because the Profit match for Titanic sufferer Harry Spinner with all proceeds being donated to his widow and orphaned daughter, Alice. That apart a Yeovil win and a Blandford defeat in opposition to Royal Garrison would see Yeovil topped Dorset champions additionally. In entrance of 1000s Yeovil had been magnificent as they’d been all season. One every from the Larcombe brothers and one other from Webb gave them the victory they wanted. The proceeds of the match for Harry was over £30. The celebrations had been brief lived Blandford had received and now had taken the championship by two factors. With Yeovil having a superior aim distinction, the 2 factors they’d deducted from them earlier within the season, after secretary Sercombe’s honesty had price them dearly!

 Nevertheless, what a season, 

A ticket for the Harry Spinner profit match in opposition to Longfleet St Mary