Following discussion with the owners of Yeovil Town Football Club, Somerset Council has agreed an extension to the period within which they can exercise an option to buyback the Freehold for Huish Park.
The option period currently expires on 17 May 2026 but this will now be extended to 17 May 2028 following a decision taken at a meeting of Somerset Council’s Executive today (8 September).
This is considered to be important for the future progress of YTFC, making investment in the club more likely.
Somerset Council owns the freehold of Huish Park. This includes the stadium of Yeovil Town Football Club (YTFC) and an extensive area of ancillary land around it.
All of this is leased to the owners of YTFC being Yeovil Football and Athletic Club Limited and Yeovil Town Holdings Limited. The individual with the controlling interest in these entities has recently changed. The Council (then South Somerset District Council) purchased the freehold of the site in 2022 from the owners of YTFC as part of a sale and leaseback transaction intended enable the financial survival of YTFC – the only fully professional football club in Somerset.
Somerset Council, and public money, are protected as the rent payable under the leases of the site will continue to be due until a buyback is completed. The purchase price is index linked so will protect the financial investment from the impact of inflation.
The current rent is £229,130 per annum. The original rent was £195,000 per annum but this was increased with effect from 17 May 2025 via the first indexed rent review.
The Option Agreement provides for a purchase price of £2.789m subject to indexation. The amount provides for full recovery of all expenditure by the Council if the freehold is repurchased.
Cllr Mike Rigby, Lead Member for Economic Development Planning and Assets, said:
“This is a positive outcome from recent discussions with the new owners. 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.
“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. It also adds to opportunities in the area for our residents through the economic benefits a successful professional club provides, while a future capital receipt will reduce our capital financing requirement.”
This decision, as before, does not mean Somerset Council either owns or is a shareholder in the football club, nor is it involved in any decision-making at the club. It means Yeovil Football and Athletic Club Limited and Yeovil Town Holdings Limited is a tenant of Somerset Council.
