Manager Billy Rowley has left seventh-tier Walton & Hersham to take charge of National League side Yeovil Town.
Yeovil Town have confirmed the appointment of highly rated coach Rowley, who arrives from Walton & Hersham to become the Glovers’ fourth man in the dugout this season, with his first game set to come at Huish Park against Boston United on Saturday as the club look to move away from the lower reaches of the table.
Rowley swaps title push at Walton & Hersham for Huish Park challenge
The 43 year old has earned widespread praise for his work at Walton & Hersham, where he spent 18 months in charge and left the Surrey club top of the Southern League Premier South, holding a game in hand on closest challengers Gloucester City.
Welcome, Darren Simpson! 👋
We are pleased to confirm the arrival of Darren Simpson as Assistant Manager, reuniting him with new manager Billy Rowley.#YTFC 💚https://t.co/dcC6iDv3IM
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) November 25, 2025
Walton & Hersham confirmed that an approach for Rowley was made during their weekend fixture against Hungerford Town, with the move agreed soon after to allow the manager to step up two divisions. The Glovers, currently sitting 17th in the National League, see his appointment as a statement of intent and have handed him a contract running to the end of the 2027–28 campaign as they seek stability on and off the pitch.
Speaking to the club website, Rowley described the pull of Yeovil Town and underlined his excitement at working with the squad and fanbase at Huish Park.
“It is a massive community club, the history of this club is incredible. I know a few boys who have played for this team and they cannot speak highly enough of it. I am just looking forward to getting on the grass with the lads. When a club like Yeovil call you up, it is incredibly hard to turn that down.”
Rowley will be joined in Somerset by trusted assistant Darren Simpson, who also makes the move from Walton & Hersham, ensuring continuity in the new coaching team as they prepare for a busy run of fixtures and a quick turnaround before the visit of Boston United.
Fourth man in the dugout after Cooper, Webb and Dryden upheaval
The arrival of Rowley follows a turbulent period in the home technical area at Yeovil Town. Long serving boss Mark Cooper was sacked in August after a poor start to the season, a decision that came in the wake of a dramatic 4–3 defeat to Gateshead at Huish Park in which the Glovers surrendered a 3–0 lead in front of their own supporters.
Ready for the journey ahead. 🤝
#YTFC 💚 pic.twitter.com/SQfeAgeFim
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) November 25, 2025
Former assistant Danny Webb initially stepped up to take the manager’s job but departed after just one game in charge, choosing to return to Chesterfield as assistant manager. That left experienced coach Richard Dryden in interim control for a second spell, guiding Yeovil Town through a difficult run while the club completed its search for a permanent successor.
New owner and chairman Prabhu Srinivasan has spoken of the need for a clear identity and long term planning at Huish Park, and the choice of Rowley fits a brief centred on progressive football, development of younger players and reconnecting Yeovil Town with its support. With the side 17th in the National League and still looking for consistency, the former Walton & Hersham boss faces an immediate test to lift results while implementing his ideas.
Attention now turns to Saturday’s home fixture against Boston United, when Rowley is due to take charge of Yeovil Town for the first time.
