The 2017–18 season was the 15th season in the Football League and the 3rd consecutive season at the fourth tier of English football played by Yeovil Town Football Club, an English football club based in Yeovil, Somerset.
Manager Darren Way was starting his second full season in charge, the club signed thirteen players on permanent and loan contracts before the close of the summer transfer window, although one was released without having made an appearance. After losing their opening game by a record 8–2 scoreline away at Luton Town. The club's league season had few highpoints as they spent all but one week of the season in the lower half of the table, the Glovers did record their record away victory in the Football League in April with a 6–2 win at Coventry City. Despite indifferent form safety was confirmed with two matches to spare as Yeovil finished the season in 19th place.
In cup competitions Yeovil had more success reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup for only the fourth time in their history, beating two League One sides to get there, before losing at home to eventual runners-up Manchester United. In the EFL Cup the Glovers lost in the first round against Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, while in the EFL Trophy the club reached the semi-finals, losing to Shrewsbury Town having beaten three League One sides to reach that stage. Ivorian striker François Zoko finished as the club's top goalscorer for the third consecutive season with fifteen goals, thirteen of which he scored in the league.
Background
The 2016–17 season was the club's second consecutive in the fourth tier of the English football league system, it was Darren Way's first full season in charge as manager. After winning their opening game, Yeovil lost six of their next seven matches leaving them in the relegation zone in September before an improved run of form, including eight matches unbeaten saw the club rise into the play-offs after a 5–0 victory against Crawley Town in December 2016. This though was the highpoint of the season as Yeovil only won three of their final 27 matches as the club slid dangerously towards the relegation zone, but safety was confirmed with one match to spare as Yeovil finished the season in 20th place. In cup competitions, Yeovil were knocked out in the first round of the FA Cup, losing to non-league side Solihull Moors in a replay, while the Glovers progressed to the second round of the EFL Cup losing to Premier League side Everton. The club also reached the quarter-finals of the revamped EFL Trophy, losing to Luton Town.
The end of the season saw Way release six players, including, Ollie Bassett, Tom Eaves, Brandon Goodship, Alex Lawless, Joe Lea and captain Darren Ward. Nine players were offered new contracts by Darren Way, defender Nathan Smith agreed a new one-year contract, while forward François Zoko, winger Otis Khan, defenders Bevis Mugabi, Tom James and keeper Jonny Maddison also agreed new two-year contracts. Midfielder Kevin Dawson rejected the offer of a new contract to sign for fellow League Two side Cheltenham Town and reunite with former manager Gary Johnson. Defender Alex Lacey rejected the club's offer of a new two-year contract and signed for League One side Gillingham. Meanwhile, midfielder Matthew Dolan rejected the club's offer to sign for fellow League Two side Newport County.
Review
Pre-season
The first day of pre-season saw the arrival of four new signings, winger Rhys Browne, son of ex-Glover Steve Browne, joined from Grimsby Town for an undisclosed fee signing a two-year contract, midfielder Jake Gray also signed a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee from Luton Town. Meanwhile, Connor Smith joined following his release from Plymouth Argyle, and Guadeloupean international defender Stéphane Zubar signed a one-year contract after rejecting an offer of a new contract at local rivals Weymouth. On 4 July, Yeovil confirmed their fifth signing of pre-season with midfielder James Bailey signing a two-year contract after leaving Carlisle United, prior to Yeovil's first friendly of pre-season, the club confirmed the signing of Southampton striker Olufela Olomola on loan until January 2018.