Fans rejoice as Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier explains the decision to step down from the National League side.
Hellier cited the pressures on himself and his family as the primary reason for his decision, following nearly two years in charge at Huish Park.
His time as chairman was marked by challenges, including reported financial losses of £2.8 million in the promotion season and strained relations with some fans, partly due to banning orders issued for online criticism.
Hellier expressed pride in the changes he implemented, believing they will benefit the club long-term, and announced that shareholder Stuart Robins will serve as interim chairman while a new owner is sought.
He has also indicated his intent to sell the club, urging fans to continue supporting the team through the transition.
Club Statement 📝
It has been a privilege to serve as chairman, and I am proud of the significant changes made around the club, changes that I believe will benefit it for years to come. Helping the club regain its place in the National League was a key milestone, and while the… pic.twitter.com/6kIuRYLr3Y
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) March 31, 2025
STATEMENT:
It has been a privilege to serve as chairman, and I am proud of the significant changes made around the club, changes that I believe will benefit it for years to come. Helping the club regain its place in the National League was a key milestone, and while the journey has had its challenges, real progress has been made.
However, due to the pressures placed on myself and my family, I have made the decision to step away from my role. Stuart Robins will take on the position of interim chairman while a successor is found, and I hope the club can continue building towards a strong future. In the meantime, I encourage you all to keep backing Mark and the team as we approach the final stretch of the season.
The club will make no further comment until a new owner has been appointed.
Martin Hellier
– STATEMENT ENDS –
On Saturday, Hellier has said via Facebook that he intended to sell the club: “I fully intend to sell the club and leave as soon as a suitable buyer is found. 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.
“My investment provided the club with the funds needed to get through, and provided you with football and promotion to the NL, but has given me nothing but abuse and minus £4m personal deficit.
“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.”
Yeovil bans fans who post ‘negative comments’ about club and chairman on social media
As mentioned, fans rejoice as Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier explains the decision to step down…
@The_Forty_Four: The power of Social media
@CllrDanielFry: Power of social media and a owner that disregarded fans over opinions. Fans are the life and heartbeat of the club. Lose them, you lose your business and investment. For all the good Martin Hellier has done for the club, let’s be honest… anybody with some money could of done the same, the club is far too big for national league south and national league. Martin treated the club like a Sunday league club in terms of fan engagement. I’m no Yeovil supporter, I hope someone will take the club on for the good of its supporters with the immediate aim to be a football league club. #FansFirstEgosLast
@MrChares: When you remove all the noise. He ran out of cash. Or realised he would run out of cash if he continued… that might’ve been okay for longer if he was adored by fans. Let’s move forward and focus on supporting YTFC. Excited about what’s next… 💚✅🪴
@RobManley4: the right outcome – relationship would never recover but without a buyer in place I’m concerned. Best everyone can do now is go and buy a ticket for the remaining home games, fill the ground and show any interested parties the club and its fans at its / their best 🟢⚪️
@4554_w: Glad he’s done the right thing but did this really need to be done on the anniversary of Lee Collins ? Could’ve waited till tomorrow no ?
@HLTCO: Social media has a lot of grim aspects but in this instance, it’s been a powerful and rapid source of positive change. Yeovil fans have been rightly desperate to get rid of Martin Hellier; it’s thanks to pressure on here that he’s now stepping away. 👏
@Camiller26: Certain around 24/36 months ago no one wanted Robbins near the club either… what’s changed. Sits in the background.
@RobFinney_Dream: I’m so curious about this. I assume this means he won’t fund the club the £100k per month that he has been, and will want his £4m’s back. No idea if these numbers are accurate, but if so, I’d be concerned as to how the club survives 🤷🏻
@Devonyellows: Looks like a major step forward for you guys,Praying you are able to find a buyer before he does further damage to the club,All the best from all at TUFC 💛
@TomJ1996: Can we have our badge back please 😂 #ytfc
@PatrioticAlex_: The fans won, the fans will always win in the end, nothing and no one can or will ever stop fans from enjoying the beautiful game!
@G03Jamie: The right decision made💚 in all honesty not many owners do stuff like this and take it upon themselves to let go instead they hold on till the bitter end so fair play. Now let’s focus on the team and getting behind them. No more bans or rants on socials. Focus on YTFC finally💚
@JordanAJlynk: This mean I can come to Huish next week Marty ? 😎 Supporters always win. Spend all the money in the world, doesn’t make all the abusive, narcissistic and the long long list of wrongs right. See ya MH 👋🏼
@beachpikey: I really hope for Yeovil Fans sake they look at the fan owned model. Revolutionary at Torquay and hope they don’t fall into the wrong hands again.
@WillParf: It was destined to end in tears. Bloke with a messiah complex who was offering fans out for a fight before even buying the club. At least things can only get better….. right?
@ycfc_connor: good riddance, really shows what can happen when fans stick together within football regardless of rivalries or past events, some things are simply bigger than these things. absolutely baffling how he continues to make this statement all about him though
@DanWilcox11: As much as people want to celebrate this, Hellier invested when we needed investment and got us back to the National League. The grass isnt always greener, as we know from SP. Just hope a suitable buyer is found soon as I imagine no further investment will be made 🟢⚪️ #YTFC
@Gloversgirl: On with business then…. Get the offers out to get bums on seats for the remaining home games. Offer a discount for tea bar purchases to STHs. Time to get behind the team 💚
@jameshoughton_1: Might take a visit to Yeovil now, good riddance
@Nathpinkawa: We were here before and we’ll be there after. Don’t forget to take your packets out the drawer on your way out 👋🏻
@ryanncfc_: Not even a Yeovil fan. Today is a good day for football.
@TORQUAYTALK: The Glovers may have been our rivals in recent years, but fingers crossed for their supporters (including the fantastic @gloverscast) – hopefully they find decent (and sane!) new owners.
That is a decision for the people @ the top to make. I’m not sure I’d make a home game this season anyway because of my role @ Taunton.
— Callum Hallett ✍️ (@CallumHallett6) March 31, 2025
— Nico Nardiello (@GrabTheTwig) March 31, 2025
Praying to the football ownership gods that the next ownership model isn’t:
• Past their sell-by date by several years
• An asset stripper
• As unprofessional as they comeWe deserve better. Time to Achieve by Unity. #YTFC 🟢⚪️ https://t.co/wNZMEBsKir pic.twitter.com/wnopl3nEXJ
— Andy Craig (@andy_craig93) March 31, 2025
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