Yeovil's Virtual Museum

The Pen Mill Football Riot of 1896
Courtesy of Michael West

In February of 1896, the newly formed Yeovil Casuals, were getting accustomed to their new home at the Pen Mill ground, situated behind the Pen Mill Hotel. At that time, the stadium was modestly equipped with a roped off area and wooden planks for standing, with the exception of an small enclosure for the more affluent spectators. If one stood on the corner of Lyde and Sherborne Road, they could watch the game over the small stone wall without paying, although the club remedied this by erecting large boards a year later. In times of heavy rain, shelter was taken in the cow shed in the small farm at the corner of the ground.

Despite the rudimentary facilities, crowds of more than 1000 were not uncommon for certain Somerset League games, which was the primary league in which the 'Casuals' competed at the time against teams such as Wells City, Wincanton, and the most formidable opponents in the league, Street FC.

The 'Casuals' however had quickly developed a rivalry with Radstock FC, a team from the North of the county. The basis of this rivalry could well have been rooted in class differences; Radstock drew players from the local coal mines and working men's clubs, making them the epitome of the 'working man's game,' while the Casuals represented a more refined element of Yeovil.

The Casuals boasted players like Gilbert Claude Vassall, a celebrated Oxford blue with a sharp intellect and renowned status as one of the greatest amateur sportsmen in the country. Vassall even played county cricket for Somerset and received a call-up to the full England football squad, perhaps making him one of the greatest players in Yeovil's history. He was adored by the Pen Mill supporters and stood out as the fledgling team's star player.

On February 24th, 1896, a determined Radstock arrived at the quaint and busy Pen Mill station to compete in a Somerset Senior cup tie. The match represented the Casuals' sole opportunity to claim highly valued silverware that year. With pride and confidence, Radstock proceeded on the brief two-minute walk to the grandly named Pen Mill Stadium from the station with Captain William Hyman at the helm. Tragically , Ernest Hyman, William's nephew, would meet a tragic fate in 1927 while playing for Yeovil, succumbing to injuries sustained in a match against Taunton. William had every right to stride proudly into the Pen Mill Hotel, to change attire for the match, his team were an exceptional side displaying great talent and speed in attack and built for battle.

Referee Mr Praeter from Shepton Mallet signaled the start of the game, and Radstock quickly took the lead, with Strawbridge delivering a fantastic shot that silenced the large crowd that had gathered. The locals were even more displeased when the upstarts from 'up North' attacked again and again and the Casuals 'give and take' style was found to be totally ineffective against the tough no nonsense tactics of Radstock.

Soon, the locals had more to moan about. As with a call of 'hands' Radstock were given a free kick just outside the area at the Camborne End, Wyman stepped up and within a flash it was nestling in the back of the net! At 2-0 the locals, who like today, loved a moan, started to get restless as finally Mr Praeter blew his long whistle to signal the players to 'suck lemons' for half time. In those days at half time, the landlord of the Pen Mill, Mr Bennett kindly set up a table of beer at the 'Hotel End' for the locals to quench their hoarse throats, one could say they had it better than present day Glovers fans!

Once the men, and daresay a few women, had sucked on some lemons and refreshed themselves with a pint or two at the beer table , the anticipated second half commenced and a completely different game evolved. Yeovil, clearly energized with vitamin c and charging down the Pen Mill slope, launched a relentless assault on the Radstock goal, with their star player, the classy Vassall dominating the opposition. As the arduous game continued with both teams exchanging blows both metaphorically and literally , a rampant Yeovil finally scored, a stunning shot courtesy of none other than that man Vassall.
Radstock now clearly rattled found themselves on the defensive, realising that they were engaged in a tough struggle against their opponents, who relied on their physical condition honed through weekly training sessions in a field located at East Coker.

Yeovil were dominating proceedings, relentlessly charging down the sloping field! The excited crowd were going wild on the Lyde Road side and it was just a matter of time before the 'Green and Whites' equalized and would go on to win!

The tension was palpable as Davis, the Casuals main centre forward, took a hard and straight shot towards the Radstock keeper, Horler. Horler was right behind it and caught the ball tight in his grasp chest high. Davis was not one to be denied so easily though ! He continued his run with determination, with a fair and game shoulder barge, sent Horler and the ball straight into the goal at the Camborne end! "GOAL!" went up the shout. Hats and caps of all designs, no doubt thrown high in the bleak winter Yeovil sky, as the fans and players erupted as one in joy and celebration of their amazing comeback!
Then the fateful moment came, the spark that ignited as was described later by a shocked local policeman as "an area in complete uproar".

The Yeovil crowd and their beloved players were left in a state of shock as Mr. Praeter, the ref, made the controversial decision to disallow Davis's celebrated goal for being ungentlemanly. This sparked an eruption of utter rage from the fans and players alike , causing what can only be described in today's parlance as "absolute scenes". The unperturbed Mr Praeter's next action only fueled the anger, shock and chaos, as he then swiftly proceeded to send the bemused Davis off the field, as punishment for his ungentlemanly actions during the scoring attempt.

There is no record of what transpired for the remainder of the game, except that the spectators 'hooted' Mr. Praeter, at every whistle blown. Obviously a Victorian term to question the referees hereditary lineage and the color of his outfit. What is sure is that come the final whistle, William Hyman's Radstock had pulled off a surprising 2-1 victory against the Pen Mill heroes, depriving the Casuals of their only opportunity to showcase a handsome cup in their new surroundings.

Step forward one William Cooper, a young labourer by trade, who can claim notoriety as Yeovil's first football hooligan. Cooper and his friends, a significant group in number, had gathered outside the Pen Mill Hotel to confront the celebrating Radstock team and now the hated Mr. Praeter. The latter had taken refuge inside the hotel and wasn't coming out for love or money. The hard faced burly miners from Radstock were not so scared and finally they stepped outside the front of the hotel only to be immediately pelted with stones. The Radstock players scattered in all directions, were chased into nearby shops and attacked, with Cooper described as now being with coat off wanting to fight all and sundry, leading the charge and fist.

With the arrival of substantial police reinforcements, the Radstock team and Mr. Praeter were collected, protected were guided down the sloping road to the station. The walk for Hyman and his Radstock team , which had taken them only two minutes earlier in the afternoon, now seemed to stretch on endlessly as the baying mob trailed behind them. For their protection, the now bruised and battered group were placed in a carriage on the upline platform at Pen Mill which had been specially cleared for them. Finally, and no doubt thankful to leave, they headed home to North Somerset.

As a consequence of the infamous riot, the Somerset FA imposed a fine on Yeovil. With Davis and another player being put on notice regarding their conduct in the future. William Cooper, who had finally been arrested, was fined £5 for his troubles, a substantial amount, and required to pledge to maintain the peace. Additionally, Yeovil were instructed to post signs throughout the ground and hotel warning rowdy spectators of their future behavior and strong language.

A fortnight after the incident , Captain William Hyman of Radstock came back to Pen Mill to play in a prestigious county match between Somerset and Devon, which drew a crowd of 2000 spectators.

What an extremely brave man!