Somerset's top stories direct to your inbox Join for free Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Yeovil Town chairman John Fry has backed Darren Way to keep the Glovers in the EFL – and push them up the league ladder.

The Town chief was handed a contract extension earlier this month, a decision that came out of the blue and stirred much angst among fans.

The move came on the back of an FA Cup exit to National League North Stockport County and a poor run in League 2, with Yeovil now sitting 19th in the standings.

However, in an exclusive meeting with Somerset Live, Fry explained the decision as one step towards their long-term goals.

The club is on a five-year plan to build from the first team down, with stability central to any success, hence Way's extension.

It was suggested that many players would not sign or re-sign for the club without knowing the manager's position was secure beyond the end of the season.

And in further terms of recruitment, Fry explained that Way's contacts were also essential in bringing in top young talent from Premier League and Championship clubs – one of five core strategies in their plan for a return to League 1 by the end of the 2020/21 season.

"You don't get anywhere if you keep changing manager," said Fry, who described Way as "an absolute gem of a manager."

He added: "Darren Way is on very close terms with many Premiership and Championship managers and he can get players on loan that others can not; people like Jonathan Obika, Steven Caulker, Andros Townsend and Ryan Mason.

"Darren Way and the club are very effective at giving League 2 experience and improving the quality of the first team."

(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK/Pinnacle Photo Agency Ltd)

It was confirmed that, contrary to social media rumours, no sponsor had any influence over or was consulted about the extension of Way's contract.

After a bright start to the season and a stunning 6-0 win at Newport County, Yeovil have been on a dire run of form, winning just two games in the last 16 in all competitions.

That stretch has seen them drop down the League 2 table, just three points off the relegation trapdoor into non-league fotball.

However, the Town hierarchy remain confident of avoiding the drop, largely laying the fall in form down to an horrific run of injuries, rather than any lack of capability of the manager or players.

Fry pointed out that of the starting XI at Newport, nine have since been injured, having "started the season with a team you could put your house on."

Way's new deal, and contacts up the footballing food chain, are all part of a five-pronged strategy to see the club achieve their goal of a return to League 1.

In addition, the club also aim to:

Build the first-team resource through the recruitment and development of young players.

Continue to develop their Category 3 academy to produce young players for the first-team squad.

Establish a Community Sports Trust to provide services to the local community, including a community stand at the north end of the stadium, to be used on a seven-day-a-week basis to increase the use of the stadium site.

Improve and strengthen the governance of the Yeovil Town business, on and off the pitch, and to develop better links with fans to increase secondary spend.

(Image: Cameron Geran/PPAUK)

On the academy, Fry believes they have built "something everyone can be proud of".

The current set-up has a three-year licence with the aim to produce players to save money.

They have brought through the likes of Gabby Rogers and Daniel Ojo but the project is still in its infancy. Yeovil are needing at least eight players from their own academy to help comply with FA homegrown rules as well as their own policy.

Town are using local resources from the college as well as accommodation for the academy and also accommodate up to five of the players.

Fry said: "This is an ongoing process and we have made considerable progress with Darren at the helm in all five strategic goals following our relegation from the Championship, and an initial aim was to reach League 1 by the end of the 2020/21 season."

Earlier this year rumours swirled around a possible takeover of the club, which have since gone quiet.

The club is not strictly speaking on the market, Fry confirmed, though he admitted that if the right bid came in at the right time, a change of hands could take place.

Any deal would have to be robust, the right price and boast a business plan and finances to run the club.

Fry, who owns 92 per cent of the club shares in combination with Norman Hayward, told Somerset Live: "The club is up for sale, every club is up for sale, my house is up for the sale if you get the right offer. I don't want to disturb the club and the person has to love the club."

(Image: YTFC)

Financially it was confirmed that Yeovil operate with a playing budget that is among the bottom quarter of the EFL 2018/19 benchmark for League 2 clubs.

Recent online murmurings of a £1.5million playing budget are untrue, with the actual figure less.

Attendances have been falling at Huish Park in recent seasons, the 2,174 turning up for the defeat to Port Vale the lowest for a league game since Yeovil's EFL tenure began.

An average attendance of around 3,500 would be an ideal minimum to boost the coffers. This season's average gate is 2,950.

Falling crowds are in large part down to negativity among the fanbase.

Nevertheless, the club condemned recent trolling of the club, players, staff and manager which, Fry pointed out, has had an impact on not just individuals involved but their families.

"You've got to back the institution," he said. "You can't have the tail wagging the dog.

"We're not quitters, I like a challenge otherwise I wouldn't be here. We've got the right band of people, local people who are Green and White through and through, fans for 25-30 years.

"We're very keen on driving Yeovil up to League One. We want to make this as big as possible."

He added: "You've got to show some respect. I'd like to give this club total respect, we need support and not constant negativity."

(Image: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

It is also felt fans and media have paid undue attention to fake news on social media, including false rumours of an imminent announcement about the chairman, and the overstatement of the playing budget.

Behind the scenes, Fry believes they have improved the governance of the club, making it democratic and splitting it into five areas. The parent company is there to protect assets and would not be affected by administration, should that ever happen.

The EFL provides £1m and all money gained goes back into the club, with manager Way privy to all goings on off the pitch. Fry said: "Way has turned the club around, turned a profit, kept them up and built a team."

Fry also paid tribute to Terry Skiverton, the former player and manager who left his job as Way's assistant last week.

"Terry has been a gem to me," the chairman said. "I recruited him from Welling, he's a proud man and wanted to stay to stop them getting relegated but he's been here ever since."

Paul Terry has stepped into the role for now, but the club has received no end of applications to take over Skiverton's post.