Things have begun to get very jittery at Huish Park stands. Sadly, we�ve never really been here before, so you can�t blame us. The idea of a football match that has some point in February is virtually unknown to a Yeovil fan.

I am reminded of Sage Seth�s words at the Dover game in 1971 - the last time we were chasing a championship with any meaning.

On Yeovil�s 1-1 draw with Dover April 5th 1971

The Main stand thundered to a Somme of whinging and moaning. All was despair. The championship was slipping from our grasp and a depressed man who used to cycle to each match from West Coker yelled;

O that we now had here
But one decent player amongst this team of shite.
I can�t be bothered to watch this crap!

At that moment the Sage stood up and let out an unholy bellow that stopped the blood in men�s veins.

What's he that wishes so? Some whinging
Wazzack from West Coker ?

Silence fell over the slope and all heads turned shame faced to the Green and White Guru. He continued;

Brian Moore proclaim it through the tannoy,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart, his ticket shall be returned,
And ten bob for a taxi put in his pocket:
We would not sit in that man�s company,
That fears the prospect of defeat.
This match is against Dover:
He that lives and gets back to the tel�printer,
Will stand a tip-toe when this match is named,
And rouse him at the name of Yeovil.
He that shall see this day, and live old age,
Will yearly smile a smile of joy,
Then will he take off his jacket

And show his threadbare green and white scarf:

This story shall the good man teach his son:
And a Dover match shall ne'r go by,
From this day to the ending of the World,
But we in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers:
For he today that shouts for the town with me,
Shall be my brother:
And Gentlemen in Yeovil, now abed,
Shall think themselves accurst they were not here;
And hold their manhoods cheap, whiles any speaks,
That cheered with us against the Dover.

More of the thoughts of Sage Seth - the Green and White Guru will be revealed as the season progresses.

The Sage Seth Archives are here.

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