‘Let’s have some fun on this journey’
When Josh Staunton joined Yeovil Town Football Club from Halifax Town in August 2020, little did he know that he would be taking the first steps on the path towards being a club legend, with his actions off the pitch being as significant as the ones on it.
The defender has quickly become a fans’ favourite and while his performances have shown his commitment to The Glovers, there has been little doubt been left as to why he is so loved, after doing all he could during a turbulent time at Huish Park.
Josh has been a constant as the club had a drawn out takeover that left the team relegated to the National League South, the sixth tier of English football, and fans fearing that there may not be a team to support at all.
The buying of the club by Martin Hellier has heralded a new wave of optimism and Josh has told Somerset’s Alive! about his motivations and why fans could be in for an incredible ride this season coming.
The first question was, what persuaded Josh to stay at the club during such a rocky time?
Josh replied: “It was always an easy decision to stay here at Yeovil, when you feel the love for being part of a place as I do, you understand that you owe it to the people of the club and the community to get through those times if you’re wanted.”
The club’s captain continued: “I feel an enormous amount of gratitude from Yeovil fans, and have that same feeling for them so I had no concerns of jumping ship, I felt it was my duty to try and guide us through the rough patch and into a brighter future.
“There are so many good people involved with the club the hard times will be worth it.”
Josh has quickly built a rapport with the Yeovil fans and they have appreciated his wholesome and honest approach to what was a constantly difficult position to be put in by wrangling off the field.
Speaking about the mutual respect with the fans, Josh said: “I love the connection we have together, it reminds you every day what you’re doing it for.
“Sometimes last season it was tricky to find that ‘why’ but when you took a step back, looked at the community and the passion the people of Yeovil have for our football club it was an instant reminder to get through the rough patch.”
Josh continued: “I’d like to think the Yeovil fans know I will always be honest, sometimes too honest but I think it’s important we have a sense of realism in our connection rather than just being a cliche and saying what everyone wants to hear all the time.”
- Yeovil Town Football Club badge designer explains changes and reassures fans
“The identity was inconsistent across different medias and proving difficult” The brand consultant responsible for… Read more: Yeovil Town Football Club badge designer explains changes and reassures fans - Yeovil Town F.C. responds to fans after new badge reveal
“Let’s focus on the promotion push for the rest of the season” Yeovil Town Football… Read more: Yeovil Town F.C. responds to fans after new badge reveal - Weston’s Jake Cornish to ‘reunite with ex’ on Love Island All-Stars
“I won’t change a thing after my last Love Island experience” Weston-super-Mare’s Love Island hunk,… Read more: Weston’s Jake Cornish to ‘reunite with ex’ on Love Island All-Stars - Leonardo Yeovil brings ‘high-end skills and direct long-term investment’
“We continue to raise awareness of Yeovil’s significance in the defence of the realm” Clive… Read more: Leonardo Yeovil brings ‘high-end skills and direct long-term investment’ - Glastonbury Festival’s Michael Eavis will ‘take tickets to Buckingham Palace’ when receives knighthood
“Last time I met King Charles, I had a suit made instead of wearing shorts”… Read more: Glastonbury Festival’s Michael Eavis will ‘take tickets to Buckingham Palace’ when receives knighthood - NORAD Santa Tracker: Follow Father Christmas on his journey to Somerset
“Families can see where Santa is in the world and when he is heading our… Read more: NORAD Santa Tracker: Follow Father Christmas on his journey to Somerset
After years in the doldrums and supporters having to bear another relegation, the new season sees Yeovil among the favourites to win the National League South and with that, a different sense of pressure in playing.
Josh is trying to keep a level head though, and told Somerset’s Alive!: “I don’t feel it adds too much pressure, look playing for Yeovil is a pressured job, we are a big club and the fans have a lot of expectation, you have to know what you’re stepping into when you play for Yeovil.
“Recently we have fallen short and there has been times when the pressure has been too much for some, but we are now in a position where we have a lot of characters in the group who will hope to thrive under the pressure.
“Everyone here in Yeovil knows everything about YTFC, so you have to be able to deal with the pressure of representing the football club every decision you make throughout the day, I love it, I think it brings the best out of me and I hope there are plenty of players in the dressing room that feel the same going forward.”
Now the message for supporters is a positive one and Josh believes that they need to buckle up, as this coming season could be one hell of a ride.
Acknowledging the huge strides taken by the new owner, Josh had this to say to supporters: “What Martin Hellier has done for the club is an feat, he has rejuvenated a whole town really with the excitement for the club.
“I think when you’re surrounded by that sort of enthusiasm it’s impossible not to be excited by the future of YTFC.
“We have a chance to build from the bottom, it may take a while to get the infrastructure back to what it was but I think for the first time in a while the fans can feel that positivity and excitement towards the club, that in turn flows into the players and I am certain in saying it makes Huish park a very special place again, and I for one am excited to be part of this journey to better times for this club and see if we can take it back to what it deserves to be.”
Josh wants fans of the club to embrace the new direction, even if it is at a lower league level than they would have hoped.
He said: “I am asking all the fans to be on that journey with us, there’s going to be a few bumps on the road but let’s make it a positive ride, hopefully we can take the bumps in our stride and smile through them, but most importantly, for the first time in a rather long time, let’s have some fun on this journey!”
Somerset’s Alive! 
Leave a comment