THE former Yeovil Town owner Martin Hellier has described his two-year stint at the club as “somewhat tumultuous in terms of public relations” in a leaving statement.

This is something of an understatement.

The former owner became a controversial figure throughout his two year tenure, as the club began to dish out orders banning fans from Huish Park for expressing views seen as negative about Hillier.

This abuse – some of which merely criticised Hellier for going on foul-mouthed, late-night rants on social media – was the catalyst for Hillier to step away from the club he first purchased in May 2023.

In a now-deleted post on Facebook just hours before his side were set to kick-off against AFC Flyde on March 29, Hiller announced his intention to sell.

He said: “It’s simply not worth losing the money to be abused and have my children abused and so on.

“I would ask in the meantime that you stop the endless online harassment and abuse. You’ve done enough; it’s worked.”

He added: “Your abuse has succeeded. Now leave me alone until the end of the season.”

The club didn’t stay on the market for long, as Yeovil Town announced yesterday (May 29) that the family office of a Dubai-based family – Inflection Holdings – led by entrepreneur Prabhu Srinivasan completed a takeover of the club.

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Hellier, a long-time Glovers fan and previous club sponsor, was initially a shining light during a stormy period as he helped oversee the club’s promotion back to the National League.

But the fairy-tale seemingly wasn’t to last.

Despite the club’s first season back in the sixth tier of the English football league pyramid seeing them finish just four points above the relegation zone, published accounts showed the club actually made a loss of nearly £2.8 million in doing so.

Hellier’s relationship with some of the Glovers faithful soon became fractured as the former owner began engaging in arguments on social media with those that dared to criticise the club they love and going as far as to implement banning orders.

Fans at Huish Park Picture: Yeovil Town FB

But it seems some of these bans have now been dropped following the announcement of the new owners.

News that some of the banning orders have now been dropped was shared by X user Jonathan Hooper (@hoopsss), who was previously sent a letter banning him from Huish Park for two years.

This may come as a blow to Hellier, as Yeovil Town under his stewardship was quick to silence those asking questions of the club, drawing criticism from the wider footballing community.

In a leaving statement, Hellier said he was proud to have played a significant role in reviving the club.

“Jack and I are truly honoured to have forged friendships with so many club supporters, staff and volunteers, players and of course Mark Cooper, and whilst it might have been somewhat tumultuous in terms of public relations, I am proud to have served with my heart if not at times with my head, yet I am still resolute in my beliefs that this two-year period will have served to prepare the club to go on to the next level under the ownership of Mr Prabhu Srinivasan,” the statement read.

It added: “We wouldn’t change a single memory.”

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Fans provided a mixed reaction to the news of the takeover, with one saying: “Good riddance, with the amount of times he threatened liquidation, he shouldn’t step through the turnstiles of Huish Park again.”

Another said: “Thank you for stepping in to save the club. You achieved a lot in two years; the fan zone was a real positive.”

Another fan described Hellier leaving as a “massive loss for the club”.

They said: “He saved the club and implemented so many great changes. Local guy that wears his heart on his sleeve. And unfortunately with this mentality it only took a few against him to turn the tides.”

The Yeovil Town Supporters Society, the Glovers Trust, thanked Hellier for his time at the club.

They said: “During a period that was often turbulent for supporters, their leadership and commitment played a vital role in helping Yeovil Town FC secure the National League South title last season.

“Their efforts on and off the pitch during this time are greatly appreciated.”

New owners Inflection Holdings have already promised significant investment to help turn the tide of the club’s fortunes – but stability is perhaps more urgent given Hellier’s self-described tumultuous two years.

Despite the new owners being Dubai-based, no information has so far been given on what investment could look like – or if they have the resources to compete at a higher level.

Their first test will come shortly, as Glovers fans will be expecting new faces through the doors to help their upcoming National League campaign.