Wednesday, its Wednesday and there are just over three full days until it all starts again. A new season. A new journey, or perhaps a new leg of that epic journey that has taken us from the slopes of Huish to the peaks of Wembley and now perhaps beyond.
Well, I suppose really it started back in mid July with our visit to north Devon and the second incarnation of the South West Challenge Cup. Last year I had just gone down for the weekend and as a result had only caught one Yeovil game. This time I made it to two, and that might have been four had we not been knocked out. The first chance to see the new signings, what few there were at this stage, as well as loads of trialists, including Kevin Gall. Of these the outstanding prospects appeared to be a young striker on loan from Spurs called Ryan Mason, former Ipswich striker Dean Bowditch (who signed on the 30th July), French striker Hamdi Razak (who was not taken on), and Villa striker Sam Williams (who signed permanently on 21st July). Spurs defender Steven Caulker joins Ryan Mason on loan. With a clear need to sign a goalkeeper if Waganaar does not come back there are two on show in Devon, Arran Lee Barratt, a former Hartlepool man, and Richard Martin recently released by Man City. Finally there is Irish midfielder George O'Callaghan. Stafan Stam.
The goalkeeping situation was helped after Devon by the loan signing of Alex McCarthy from Reading.
Up until that time there had been very little news on new, or indeed old, players. However several trialists went to Devon and it was good to have a first view of them.
The first time I had looked forward towards the new season rather than back at the old one was on 16th June when we had been drawn against Norwich City in the first round of the Carling Cup. Norwich City! Well we have played plenty of big teams in cup competitions over the years but what made an impression this time was not the opposition itself but the realisation that Norwich were now at the same level as us. And so were Charlton and Southampton, quite apart from last season's giants of Leeds.
The week before Danny Hutchings, one of the loanees from Spurs from last season, had signed permanently for the club, sending a wave of optimism through me, a symbol that perhaps this season could be at least as good as the last had been.
The following day was one I look forward to every year, the day that the Football League fixtures are announced. The day the new season seams to become real and one can plan those days out that will fill Saturdays during the coming winter. September 19th stood out this year. Southampton away. Or is that "home", as I live in Southampton. A game I've dreamed about for many a year but never thought would happen!
On the 26th June the first of those to leave the club over the summer did so. Paul Warne apparently turned down the offer of a new contract. Certainly a player we will miss, if only for his energy and commitment to the cause. We could only hope that not too many followed him. He later returned to his old club Rotherham.
The same day Stefan Stam, a Dutch central defender joined. I know nothing about him, but with Skivo not expecting to play unless absolutely needed and Aaron Brown having been released, central defence is obviously somewhere we need replacements.
The next day, Andy Welsh, in my opinion one of our best players potentially, signed a new two year contract which was great news.
On the 30th however it was confirmed that Lee Peltier had joined Huddersfield.
A day after that I was personally very pleased at the confirmation of the rumour of Scott Murray's signing.
4th July was Skivo's testimonial.
By the 7th things were looking even better with Terrell Forbes agreeing to extend his contract.
Throughout there was the ongoing saga of whether Josh Waganaar would still be with us come the start of the season.
On 27th July Danny Schofield was taken off the transfer list apparently now happy to stay in Somerset. However on the 29th Gary Roberts was suspended for disciplinary reasons.
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