It has been a long time coming, but Terry Skiverton's first league goal for six years helped Yeovil cement their play-off place after beating Huddersfield 2-1 at home last night. It was a joyful occasion for the 28-year-old as he has worked hard on the non-league circuit during those years following his release from Wycombe in 1997. A short stint at Welling followed before signing for the Glovers in 1999 and after a couple of near misses he finally captained them to the Conference title last season. An injury meant he missed their first ever league game but now he is firmly ensconced again in Yeovil's back line and looking forward to helping them into the Second Division. Ian Clarkson spoke to Skiverton about life in the Football League in another exclusive interview for givemefootball.
Q:TALK US THROUGH YOUR FIRST LEAGUE GOAL FOR SIX YEARS THEN?
A:My only other goal was for Wycombe against York in '97 so it was long overdue. I'd like to say it was a 35-yarder in the top corner, but in fact it was a header from a set piece move that we have been working on. I was free in the penalty area and headed it into the top corner from about eight yards out.
Q:GARY JOHNSON HAS BEEN ONTO THE BACK LINE TO SCORE MORE GOALS HASN'T HE?
A:I managed to notch nine goals in the Conference last year, but the manager had been threatening to bring in a big 6'8" centre half who would score with headers if we didn't contribute a few more goals! Obviously nine wasn't enough because he still bought in Hugo Rodriguez from Portugal who really is 6'8"! However, it has been a long time coming at this level and was all the more satisfying because I have really had to work my way back into the Football League.
Q:HOW HAVE YOU FOUND LIFE IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE?
A:It has been quite good. We have managed to get ourselves into a play-off position and everything seems to be going quite well. We are still awaiting our first league draw though as we either win or lose at the moment. Mind you, that works out well as two wins and a loss is better than three draws.
Q:YOU MISSED THE START OF THE SEASON WITH INJURY DIDN'T YOU?
A:Last night was only my third game back as it was revealed that I played most of last season with a fractured foot. I was sent to see a specialist last year who gave me the wrong diagnosis and I thought I was suffering with tendonitis, so I had to have an operation in the end.
Q:IT'S BEEN SIX YEARS SINCE YOU LAST PLAYED IN THE LEAGUE - DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD RETURN?
A:After I was released by Wycombe I was so focused on getting back into the league straight away that I didn't concentrate hard enough during games. I was playing for Welling in the Conference at the time and I was very inconsistent and had a mediocre first season. The manager at the time pulled me to one side and said there was no harm in being a good Conference player and I started to adjust to part-time football.
Q:HOW HAS LIFE BEEN AT YEOVIL?
A:It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. I have had around five or six managers and they have all improved the club. Gary Johnson was the final piece of the jigsaw if you like. He likes his players to be athletes and is always telling us what to eat and drink. His training methods are good and he and his assistant, Steve Thompson, have nurtured an inexperienced squad into good players.
Q:CAN YOU WIN PROMOTION FOR THE SECOND SEASON RUNNING?
A:I think we can go up, but it is a far harder league than the Conference. It has been very exciting for the club in the first couple of months as e are playing at a lot of new grounds, but when we go and play against struggling teams they are going to roll over and die. If a team goes 1-0 up against us then it can be very hard to get the goal back, whereas in the Conference a lot of part time teams fade in the last ten minutes.
