Yeovil Town's stadium buy-back timeframe extended

Yeovil Town has been leasing its ground off the council since May 2022

A timeframe for Yeovil Town Football Club to be able to buy back its stadium from a council has been extended by two years.

The Glovers sold Huish Park and surrounding land to the then South Somerset District Council in May 2022 for £2.8m to pay off costs incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. The district council was later incorporated into Somerset Council.

The club has been renting the ground from Somerset Council ever since, with an option to buy it back due to end on 17 May 2026.

In a statement, a Glovers' spokesperson said that option had now been extended to 17 May 2028, calling it an "important milestone for Yeovil Town".

"From the outset we have been clear with supporters that our aim is to buy back Huish Park Stadium and reunite it with the football club," owner and chairman Prabhu Srinivasan said.

"The process is complex and takes time, and we are grateful to Somerset Council for affording us the opportunity to develop our plans with stakeholders, partners, and the local authority so that this becomes a truly meaningful endeavour for both the club and the wider community.

'Local civic pride'

"Together, we are committed to creating a brighter future for both Yeovil Town Football Club and Somerset, built around sustainability and our ambitious plans for the club and the community."

Somerset Council's lead member for economic development, planning and assets, councillor Mike Rigby, called the development a "positive outcome".

"YTFC is the only professional football club in Somerset and it makes a significant contribution to both the local economy and more widely in terms of community, education and local civic pride," he said.

"A successful future for Yeovil Town Football Club supports Somerset Council's priorities through the promotion of sport and healthier lifestyles within the community at all ages through the football club's strong community and education links."