Glovers skipper is rewarded for loyalty
THEY say loyalty pays – Matt Worthington is living proof of that.
A fourth relegation in ten years – from the Championship to National League South – had sunk his Yeovil Town side to a whole new low with “a period of great instability” throwing the club’s mere existence into doubt.
The future of manager Mark Cooper was uncertain too, hinging on a takeover by local businessman Martin Hellier, which was dragging its heels deep into the summer months.
It’s fair to say Huish Park was not the ideal place to be.
“It was a very difficult period for all of us,” Worthington, 26, recalls. “Last year was a terrible year for the club, the fans and for the team.
“Personally, it was tough too. I had couple of weeks in the summer where I had to decide on what best to do
“But when Martin took over, I sat down with him and the gaffer, we managed to sort out a deal and, looking back, I’m really happy that I stayed.
“I’ve said from day one, if he wasn’t in charge and Martin didn’t take over then there’s no way I’d have stayed at the club.
“I had played for the gaffer before, at Forest Green, and I know how good he is as a manager and a coach. His style of football really suits me and I knew he could get the best out of me.”
And that he did as the highly decorated former Swindon Town, Notts County and Barrow boss wasted no time in putting right the previous wrongs, steering the Glovers to the title with plenty to spare – their first championship success in 19 years.
With the captain’s armband wrapped around his number eight shirt, Worthington led from the front with a passion and desire which has made him a Huish Park favourite.
Worthington insists it’s a mutual affection.
Massive
“I’ve been at the club four or five seasons now,” added the Southampton born ace, who played 16 minutes in the Premier League for Bournemouth against Leicester City on the final day of the 2016-17 season.
“I remember when I first came to the club on loan originally, I saw what a decent following the club had, everywhere we went.
