Latest news with #Hellier
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hellier to keep investing in Yeovil despite selling
Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier will continue investing in the National League club until a new buyer is found, says interim chairman Stuart Robins. Hellier stepped down as chairman on Monday and confirmed plans to sell the Glovers citing abuse he had suffered online from fans. Robins has taken on the role while a new owner is found. Businessman Hellier took over Yeovil in June 2023 but has been involved in a hostile relationship with sections of the fanbase for some time, including exchanging abuse of his own via social media and issuing banning orders from games. "We're being supported by the Hellier Group and I've been given some good assurances that that will continue," Robins told BBC Radio Somerset. Yeovil Town owner Hellier steps down as chairman Yeovil Town's 'freefall' back to regional football Hellier, a long-time Yeovil fan and previous club sponsor through his firm, took over the Glovers during another turbulent period two years ago, following a failed takeover attempt by the SU Glovers and their relegation from the National League. The club won promotion from National League South at the end of last season and are 14th in the fifth tier. Accounts released for the 2023-24 season show that debts total £2.8m and Robins said it was now "absolutely critical" that new investment was brought in. "I don't think we're any different from a lot of clubs at this level and indeed above," Robins said. "It's not great reading but my major task now is to bring in new investment and that will hopefully bring bigger and even better times to Huish Park and Yeovil Town." Robins said the past weeks had been "challenging" and that it had "gotten very, very difficult" between Hellier and the fans. "We're in a position now where we can hopefully move forward and get the Park packed again and the supporters enjoying good days out again," he said. Robins added he was looking into the banning orders issued by Hellier - the fans behind Gloverscast, an unofficial club podcast, are among those who had been sent letters telling them to stay away from matches. "It's right at the top of the agenda and we will be addressing that very soon," Robins said. "I'm a supporter, I've been through it myself as a supporter and I want everyone to be really proud of being part of the club that I and everybody loves, so that's a really high priority as well"
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Yeovil Town owner plans to sell club after 'abuse'
Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier plans to sell the club after saying he has suffered online abuse from some fans. The businessman has been in charge at Huish Park for almost two years and funded his side's promotion back to the National League last season. The Glovers - whose 16-season stay in the English Football League ended in 2019 - are currently 13th in the fifth tier. "I fully intend to sell the club and leave as soon as a suitable buyer is found," Hellier said in a statement on social media. "It's simply not worth losing the money to be abused and my children abused and so on. "I would ask in the meantime that you stop the endless online harassment and abuse. You've done enough, it's worked." The relationship between Hellier and the fans has been uneasy for some time. A number of supporters, including unofficial podcast Gloverscast, have been banned from Huish Park for comments made on social media. One fan, who was banned for two years by the club last week, published the letter he received from the club online. The banning orders led to a backlash from supporters on social media directed at Hellier, who responded with abusive posts of his own. Under Hellier's leadership, the Glovers cruised to the National League South title last season, although recently published accounts show the club made a loss of almost £2.8m in the process. "My investment provided the club with the funds needed to get through and provided you with football and promotion to the NL (National League) but has given me nothing but abuse and minus £4m personal deficit," Hellier added. "So yes, I do not intend to be at YTFC next season. Your abuse has succeeded. Now leave me alone until the end of the season." BBC Radio Somerset have approached Hellier for comment.
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Yeovil Town owner plans to sell club after 'abuse'
Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier plans to sell the club after saying he has suffered online abuse from some fans. The businessman has been in charge at Huish Park for almost two years and funded his side's promotion back to the National League last Glovers - whose 16-season stay in the English Football League ended in 2019 - are currently 13th in the fifth tier. "I fully intend to sell the club and leave as soon as a suitable buyer is found," Hellier said in a statement on social media. "It's simply not worth losing the money to be abused and my children abused and so on."I would ask in the meantime that you stop the endless online harassment and abuse. You've done enough, it's worked."A fan, who was banned for two years by the club last week for criticism of Hellier, published the letter he received from the club online. This led to further criticism of Hellier, who took control from former owner Scott Priestnall in May Hellier's leadership, the Glovers cruised to the National League South title last season, although recently published accounts show the club made a loss of almost £2.8m in the process. "My investment provided the club with the funds needed to get through and provided you with football and promotion to the NL (National League) but has given me nothing but abuse and minus £4m personal deficit," Hellier added."So yes, I do not intend to be at YTFC next season. Your abuse has succeeded. Now leave me alone until the end of the season."
