One would anticipate after the high-quality season earlier than  a sense of happiness was across the membership in the summertime of 1924, removed from it. A reported lack of almost £250.00 had put a dampener on the success. Southern league soccer was proving to be a pricey train. One of many fundamental contributeries to being within the pink was in fact travelling bills. At away matches the house membership had been mandated to pay 20% of the gate to the away facet to cowl journey value. Nonetheless with travelling to Wales and taking part in  generally in entrance of a few hundred it didn’t go anyplace close to masking Yeovil’s value. In stark distinction to the Welsh groups coming to Yeovil taking part in in entrance of enormous crowds. Membership secretary Ernest Sercombe travelled to the Southern League AGM and pleaded for a rule change. In a vote on the matter, the change within the rule was voted in opposition to, all of the Welsh golf equipment doubtless voting to maintain the established order. 

George Fox was reappointed the Chairman of the membership, his nominaters remarking that no one had stuffed the chair higher. George Fox being one of many homeowners of the nonetheless many Glove producers within the city. A dedicated Liberal and a member of the celebration George took curious about many social points within the city. 

Regardless of beforehand having the most effective season within the membership’s historical past, price paying membership of the supporters membership was additionally in decline. With supporters preferring simply to attend social occasions, which they did in numbers. A novel thought for fund elevating had been the ‘Penny on the ball’ scheme. The place for a penny supporters could possibly be put their identify right into a hat and the winner would have the prospect to buy the match ball for a shilling after the match. A lot disgust had been raised the earlier season when twice supporters membership committee members had received! 

Most of the Southern League championship profitable crew had been signed on once more, C. Warren determined to return to the Midlands and signal for Walsall. Further signings being Ernest Hyman from Welton Rovers, later to develop into a tragic iconic determine within the membership’s historical past, he signed alongside along with his cousin Harry Edwards, whose brother was already on the membership. Additionally signing was younger sixteen 12 months outdated Harry Scott from Torquay, who had scored in opposition to the Glovers the earlier season. As an enticement for signing all three had been giving employment at Petters Ltd. 

A couple of days earlier than the season began Supervisor Jack Gregory was using his motor bike with two passengers in a facet automotive. While passing the Mermaid Resort, he swerved right into a wall to overlook a parked automotive, fortunately all had been OK,. One simply hoped it wasn’t to be an omen for the season forward. 

Exeter Metropolis Reserves kicked off the 1924-25, at Huish. Huish had undergone some extra modifications throughout the summer season with the Grandstand once more being prolonged, now holding 1000. Additionally the banking behind the objectives had been terraced with railway sleepers. 3300 turned as much as see a Harry Pidgeon aim simply earlier than half time, win it for Yeovil. Yeovil conserving with principally the identical facet that introduced success the season earlier than. The facet for the opening match being :

Vallis, Day, Watts, Abbott, Gallon, Gregory, Gardner, Pidgeon, Scott, Hayward  Wilson 

With Scott and Hayward because the forwards it was a case of the sorcerer and his apprentice, Hayward now 37 and younger Harry Scott nonetheless simply 16 years outdated. Scotchman Andrew Wilson taking part in at exterior left, has a diverse profession, beginning of at Alloa Athletic earlier than heading down south with Plymouth Argyle. Wilson can be with the membership for the following 4 seasons. 

Andrew Wilson

Every week later at Bristol, the Glovers defence placed on a congratulatory efficiency aiding in a high-quality 2-0, watched with a great away assist from South Somerset. The next Thursday afternoon, younger Harry Scott, confirmed these gathered why he was thought-about one of many hottest younger skills round, scoring a hat trick in a 7-1 victory over Llanelly at Huish. Hayward additionally getting off the mark for the season with a brace. The high-quality begin got here crashing down simply two days later when Torquay United took the factors in an thrilling and quick recreation, scoring ten minutes earlier than the top to make it 2-1.

5 days later, the journey to Peterborough was made. With Yeovil profitable the Western part of the Southern League the season earlier than, they entered into the play off with the Japanese part winners, Peterborough and Fletton FC. A toss of a coin in the summertime selecting the venue. The Glovers, travelled to London the evening earlier than the match earlier than travelling to Peterborough for lunch on the picturesque Crown Resort. Nonetheless inside an hour of ending their lunch they had been kicking off at London Highway. With heavy stomachs the Glovers sluggishly fell to a 3-1 defeat. 

When the draw got here out for the preliminary spherical of the FA Cup, the gamers of  Westbury United most likely hoped that lightening could not strike twice. The earlier season seeing the Glovers run out 12-1 in opposition to the Wiltshire facet in the identical competitors. Rain fell down in biblical proportions for the entire of the match, guaranteeing the Huish pitch was principally waterlogged. Wilson, having picked up an damage at Peterborough was unable to play, so volunteered to be the linesman. The ambiance was greatest summed up within the preamble to the match report. 

‘It was tough to understand on Saturday afternoon as one sat within the considerably draughty stand on the Huish floor that one was witnessing the primary qualifying spherical of the English Cup contest. Rain had fallen in torrents, and it was nonetheless coming down in sheets when Yeovil and Petters United and Westbury United took the sphere to do battle collectively. The match and rating was suggestive of water polo than soccer. Nobody on the bottom appeared actually completely happy and even above the noise of the rain on the stand roof could possibly be heard that peruliar squelch of the rainfilled boots of the linesman as he paced the facet of the water logged area. The stand was pretty properly stuffed. however naturally sufficient there have been only a few spectators within the open areas, solely probably the most enthusiustic soccer follower having the ability to stand the deluge which fell. Probably the most entertaining incident of the entire recreation was the mishap to a solitary spectator whose umbrella was blown inside out.’

As for the match, Westbury faired three objectives higher than the earlier season solely shedding 9-1. Sixteen 12 months outdated Harry Scott highlighting his scoring prowess by scoring six- three in every half. The Glovers adopted it up with a mini tour of Wales taking part in Barry and Llanelli within the Southern League, solely returning with one level. 

One other comparatively straightforward match had been handed to the Glovers within the subsequent spherical of the FA Cup with one other residence tie, this time with Clevedon. Surprisingly Participant Supervisor Jack Gregory determined a brand new ahead line was known as for and regardless of his 9 objectives in e in eight video games, Harry Scott was dropped together with Wilson , and changed with the Edward Brothers, Tom and Harry. They determined to have their very own non-public household aim competitors, Tom scoring a hat trick and Harry scoring a brace in a snug 5-1 win. Not because the days of the Vassell brothers  Gilbert and Leonard, within the early 1900s, had brothers each scored for Yeovil in the identical match. 

Earlier than the following spherical, away to Warminster, Yeovil travelled by practice to Torquay. Younger Harold Scott decided to attain in opposition to his outdated facet. Sadly a conflict of heads left participant supervisor Jack Gregory with a gaping wound on his brow and needed to be rushed to hospital to have the wound stitched. With additional accidents to Abbot and Watts, Yeovil fell aside, returning by practice to South Somerset on the again of a 3-0 defeat. Every week later within the 2nd qualifying spherical of the FA Cup, foes of outdated in Warminster had been visited. A match that lower than 20 years earlier than would have been seen as a tough place to go, was now visited with Warminster trying to carry out a large killing act. Alas, Johnny Hayward was on type scoring a hat trick in a straightforward 3-1 victory. 

The third qualifying spherical gave the Glovers a tough away match in opposition to Taunton United. Surprisingly earlier than the cup match and with each side with a free Saturday a pleasant match was organised between the 2 groups at Huish, every week earlier than the cup tie. A 5-1 win for the Glovers, gave them full confidence {that a} victory could possibly be achieved in Taunton every week later. Over a 1000 Yeovil followers had invaded the county city tansported by a soccer particular from Pen Mill and a fleet of charabancs. With the rain hammering down, the Glovers followers stuffed the pubs earlier than making their option to the bottom. There they discovered the referee Mr Bargese from Wiltshire, knee deep in water, as he declared the match was to be deserted and to be performed on the next Thursday afternoon – half day closing. Thursday or not, nonetheless over 2000 spectated the Glovers incomes a tough fought victory. Taunton taking the lead one nil held on to half time. With Tom Edwards equalising halfway by the second half, the match appeared set for a reply, till with simply two minutes remaining Pidgeon scored to ship the Yeovil followers in raptures. The prize a house tie in opposition to league facet Bournemouth and Boscombe. 

Two weeks later, Bournemouth and Boscombe, arrived at Huish.  The Cherries had been a league membership simply a few seasons and now competed within the newly shaped Division Three South. ‘Must be a walkover’ is how the Bournemouth media described the match within the construct up. They had been in for a shock, in entrance of the largest atrendance to this point at Huish 5500, Yeovil had been 1-0 up inside thirty seconds. Tommy Edwards firing in from lengthy vary. It shocked Bournemouth into attacking, leaving their defence uncovered to Yeovil’s quick attacking play. After twenty minutes it was 2-0, Johnny Hayward firing in from shut vary. The assaults had been relentless, 5 minutes later, after a melee within the field Hayward made  3-0, the melee leading to Saxton within the Boscombe defence being out chilly and stretchered from the sphere. Boscombe pulled one again simply earlier than the break . Defensively, the Glovers held robust, though Stan Abbott acquired a foul arm damage which resulted in him taking part in in nice ache. Midwag by the second half Boscombe pulled one other again, it wasn’t sufficient. When referee Mr Welsh from Stoke blew his ultimate whistle, it meant that Yeovil had achieved their first ever Big killing act. It would not be their final! One results of the excessive crowd as they excitedly left the bottom was the crush it brought on which fortunately resulted in no one being severe harm. 

The cup run continued two weeks later, when the membership performed for the primary time within the 1st spherical correct. Once more one other residence recreation this time in opposition to Bristol Rovers. Once more a file crowd, 6500 together with many from Bristol who made their themselves heard. A pitch that was sodden after days of heavy rain, made first rate play tough, Rovers feeling the ire of the group after onerous tackles that the referee allowed to go unpunished. Yeovil took the lead after thirty minutes by man of the match Gardiner, just for Rovers to equalise only a minute later, by Whatmore. Once more Yeovil took the sport to Rovers and once more Yeovil took the lead after fifty minutes with hero Johnny Hayward scoring after a goalmouth scramble. Not lengthy after it was 2-2. After a powerful deal with Yeovil’s Harry Edwards was taken off to not return. The 11 v 10, quickly grew to become 11 v 9 as once more an unpunished deal with noticed Watts faraway from the sphere. Rovers took full benefit, scoring twice extra with Yeovil left with the ‘what might need been’ feeling. Nonetheless, even the Bristol press writing that the most effective footballing crew misplaced and the ways of Rovers had been in opposition to the great identify of Bristol foot all. Additionally the Bristol press noting the form of the Huish pitch. 

‘….. The peculiarities of the pitch at Huish, it has a slope from one far nook flag to the decrease one. It was a handicap to Rovers as it’s to all visiting groups and on this the Somerset facet have a bonus of their information of its idiosyncrasies.’ 

Bristol Rovers 1924-25

Christmas approached with the membership voicing disappointment on the crowd numbers at Huish after their nice cup success. One thing that will be a recurring theme all through the membership’s historical past. On Christmas morning a good quantity had opened their presents and headed straight right down to Weymouth to see the Glovers in motion. Their Christmas beong throughly ruined because the Terras ran out 4-1 winners on a sodden pitch made worse by the fixed rain within the first half. A day later, some recompense was given when the Glovers beat Taunton United in entrance of 3500 at Huish with younger Radford, up from the reserves scoring. The gang swelled with the GWR placing on particular trains to Yeovil for the ‘Somerset derby’. The Glovers made it three video games in three days, with digital the identical gamers, entered the wood dressing rooms to play the newbie crew from Essex, Chelmsford Metropolis. A sparse crowd witnessing Hayward scoring a hat trick in a 6-3 victory.

1925  did not begin properly, with a weakened facet Yeovil headed to South Wales to tackle excessive flying Mid-Rhonda. The Glovers had been met with a pitch flooded in lots of areas. Two barrels of sand distributed in a single aim mouth and bore holes made to empty the water away. They had been two down at half time, and with the trains not ready to attend after the match, the edges simply change ends at half time. 4 extra Welsh objectives earlier than the top and the Glovers had been on the practice residence thirty minutes after the ultimate whistle. 

Historical past was made on the twenty fourth January 1925 in opposition to Bristol Rovers reserves at residence. Nice pleasure had grown all through the the nation for the photo voltaic eclipse. The eclipse was to be seen throughout the match. Alas with rain and clouds throughout not a factor was seen other than it getting just a little darkish. The frustration was made up with the Glovers gaining just a little revenge over Rovers (first crew) by dismissing their reserves again to Bristol 2-1.

Thinks began to get heated when the Chairman, determined to make use of the native press to voice the membership’s dissatisfaction in attendance figures, some attendances reaching as little as 1300. Mr Farr, warned that until numbers did not choose up it could be value slicing and inferior soccer in an inferior league. The supporters had been fast to reply the next week with letters to the native media. Their bone of contentions had been admission at 1 Shilling was too costly, some even questioned wether a number of the cash was lining the administrators’s pockets. 

Outcomes weren’t selecting up, an away 1-0 defeat to Taunton United being severely criticised and naturally a lot jubilation within the County City as they recorded their first victory over their Somerset rivals in entrance of a file crowd. After a defeat at residence to Cardiff Metropolis reserves, the Glovers discovered themselves within the backside half of the desk. A stark distinction to the all conquering facet of the 12 months earlier than. Some supporters once more taking to the press to query the gamers dedication in sure video games. 

After a combination bag of outcomes Easter arrived with the membership hyperbolically labelled it ‘A carnival of soccer’ with 4 matches being performed in 5 days. Two wins and two attracts . Yeovil turned up first at Tub with younger Harry Scott, sadly younger Harry by some means had forgotten his boots, leading to a fast procuring journey within the metropolis centre. The brand new boots labored, Harry scoring Yeovil’s solely aim in a 1-1 draw

Sixteen 12 months outdated Harry Scott

Scott was additionally within the scoresheet the following day in entrance of Weymouth in entrance of over 3000, in a 2-0. With the rating at 0-0 at half time, Hayward scored with a spectacular shot early within the second half, then arrange Scott a couple of minutes later. The match being performed in a scorching tempered and heated atmosphere. Tub made the journey two days later and returned again on a 2-0 defeat. The ‘ Carnival’ was accomplished a day later with the go to of Swindon City Reserves, a match performed in rain and thunderstorms, with the pitch being heavy. The drained legs of the Yeovil gamers held out for a tame 0-0 draw. The end result pushing the Glovers simply into the highest half. 4 days later a visit to Wales in opposition to Bridgend noticed the Glovers 2-0 up earlier than conceding three in a ten minute spell. Regardless of crawling again to 3-3 poor goalkeeping by the often trustful Jack Vallis gave the Welshmen a 6-3 victory. 

The idiosyncratic nature of soccer if the interval when a full power Yeovil facet travelled to Beaminster in Dorset to play a pleasant in opposition to the amateurs, simply two days earlier than a Southern League match once more in Wales in opposition to Newport County reserves . The Dorset sides keeper Collins placing on such a high-quality show regardless of Yeovil profitable 2-1, that Yeovil signed him on the finish of the season. 

After an embarrassing 5-0 defeat in opposition to Swansea City reserves. The season got here to an finish with a tame and boring 0-0 in opposition to Newport Nation reserves. watched by poor attendance. Leaving the membership half approach on the end within the league. 

Silverware was coming to Huish although, a high-quality season within the Western League noticed Yeovil pip Weymouth to the title. Younger Ernest Hyman scoring the one aim at Radstock to ship the title to Huish. 

Blissful days!