Billy Rowley: Yeovil Town boss accused of trying to poach ex-club’s players

Yeovil Town boss Billy Rowley has been accused by his former club of repeatedly attempting to poach their players – including in person at an end-of-season party.

Rowley joined the Glovers from Walton & Hersham in November and led the club to a 16th-placed finish in the National League.

Walton & Hersham, who won promotion to National League South for the first time in their history this season, claim Rowley has repeatedly approached their players, sent correspondence containing “profane and threatening language” to the club’s owners and gatecrashed an end-of-season staff event.

“We believe Billy has made repeated attempts to influence contracted players regarding their futures, contributing to unnecessary instability within the club,” Walton & Hersham said in a statement on their website., external

They added that Yeovil have now made a “formal offer” to Walton & Hersham midfielder Mason Obeng after he rejected fresh terms with the Surrey club.

Walton & Hersham say they have submitted a formal complaint to the Football Association (FA) about Rowley’s conduct and that “the lack of meaningful action or acknowledgement has left us with no alternative but to make our position public”.

The BBC has approached Yeovil Town and the FA for comment.

Yeovil’s initial approach to hire Rowley last year came during a Southern League Premier South game against Hungerford Town, Walton & Hersham said at the time.

Following the Swans’ promotion this season, they will start next season just one league below the Glovers.

“This complaint follows a series of incidents that have caused significant concern to the club’s ownership and management team,” the statement added.

“These concerns include repeated approaches and engagement with Walton & Hersham FC contracted players without the club’s knowledge or consent, conduct which we believe has undermined player retention and contractual discussions.

“The complaint also details concerns surrounding Mr Rowley’s attendance at the club’s end-of-season staff event, accompanied by Yeovil Town FC’s head of recruitment, where interactions with contracted Walton & Hersham FC players took place despite clear indications their presence was not welcomed by club ownership.

“In addition, our complaint outlines concerns regarding inappropriate correspondence sent directly to club ownership, including the use of profane and threatening language, as well as further disparaging remarks allegedly made publicly about Walton & Hersham FC, its ownership and its officials.”