GLOVERS NEWS: Defender Shaun Donnellan arrives at Yeovil Town

THE surname of Yeovil Town’s latest signing will be recognisable to older fans and they’d be right if they were thinking whether there was any family connection.

Yeovil confirmed on Saturday (January 27, 2018) the signing of West Bromwich Albion defender Shaun Donnellan on a free transfer subject to clearance.

He became the Glovers’ third capture of the weekend and put pen to paper on a contract until June 2019.

And if you are thinking: “Donnellan? Any relation to Gary Donnellan who played for Yeovil in the Brian Hall era at the sloping pitch of Huish?” Yes he is - Shaun Donnellan is Gary Donnellan’s nephew.

Tough tackling Gary Donnellan scored 18 goals for the Glovers from 1987-89 in 115 appearances which included key roles in Yeovil’s Vauxhall-Opel Premier League championship winning campaign and the FA Cup run of 1987-88, under manager Brian Hall, which ended at the Third Round stage with the visit of Queens Park Rangers to Huish.

Gary Donnellan was a hard midfielder who would not shy away from getting stuck in, although he sometimes divided the opinion of fans. He was a bit like marmite – you either loved him or disliked him.

Football is in the Donnellan family – Shaun Donnellan is the son of former Fulham and Republic of Ireland youth international Leo.

Yeovil’s latest recruit arrives at Huish Park having spent the opening half of the 2017-18 season on loan at Sky Bet League One outfit Walsall.

Having come through West Brom’s Academy and penning a first professional contract in 2015, he gained experience on loan at Worcester City before a successful temporary stint at Dagenham and Redbridge where he almost helped the Daggers win promotion back to the EFL.

West Brom extended the 21-year-old’s contract for another campaign in the summer and the Ireland Under-21 centre-back enjoyed plenty of playing time at the Bescot Stadium during his loan stint.

PHOTO – TOP LEFT: Shaun Donnellan. Photo courtesy of Yeovil Town FC.

PHOTO – RIGHT RIGHT: Former Yeovil Town player Gary Donnellan (right). Photo courtesy of Ciderspace.

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Adult membership to join the Glovers Trust is just £10 per year, while it is just £1 per year for those aged Under-16; and £100 per year for a corporate membership.

For more details – go to the Glovers’ Trust website at http://www.glovers-trust.co.uk/ .

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