Former Yeovil Town player Charlie Lee has revisited one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s recent history, reflecting on his years at Huish Park in the latest episode of the Gloverscast’s Glovers Past series.
Lee joined Yeovil in the summer of 2019, after the club had been relegated to the National League. He became part of a major squad rebuild led by manager Darren Sarll, alongside experienced figures including Carl Dickinson, Luke Wilkinson and club captain Lee Collins.
A new team and a sudden halt
In the episode, Lee discusses the momentum built by the rebuilt squad, including a run of six consecutive wins. That progress was brought to an abrupt end when the Covid-19 pandemic halted football.
He also recalls the unusual preparations for the Covid-19 play-offs. The games were played during a national lockdown and behind closed doors, creating an unfamiliar setting for matches that were among the biggest of the season.
From player to interim manager
Lee’s time at Yeovil also included a move from the pitch into the dugout. After Sarll’s departure, he stepped up as interim manager, taking on the pressure of managing the club while still closely connected to the squad.
The conversation covers how he handled that transition and the achievement of winning the Somerset Premier Cup during his spell in charge.
Remembering Lee Collins
A significant part of the episode is devoted to the death of Lee Collins, the Yeovil captain and one of the senior figures in the dressing room. Lee reflects on the devastating effect the loss had on the squad and the difficulty players faced when they returned to the pitch afterwards.
The interview was recorded while Charlie Lee was calling in from the Gold Coast of Australia. The former Glovers player now coaches at Magic United in Queensland, where he is experiencing football in a very different climate.
For Yeovil supporters, the episode offers an account of a period that included a complete squad rebuild, a promising run of form, lockdown football, a change in the dugout and profound personal loss. It also provides Lee’s perspective on what it meant to represent the club in green and white during those years.