Milestones cannot be matched – Johnson jnr

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FORMER Glovers' favourite Lee Johnson believes nobody in football will match Terry Skiverton's achievements at Yeovil Town.

Bristol City midfielder Johnson played a key role in Yeovil's promotion to the Football League and their ascent to Coca-Cola League One.

He will return to Huish Park on Saturday as the side who claimed the Nationwide Conference title in 2003 reunite for Skiverton's testimonial match.

Johnson joined the Glovers shortly after his father Gary took the helm in the summer of 2001.

By this time Skiverton was already captain and Lee Johnson hailed the now-manager for his part in Yeovil's success.

"When myself and my dad came there was a good team there already and dad had to add a few players to take it to that next level," said Lee Johnson.

"But you cannot reach that high without maintaining a good team spirit and that is somewhere where Skivo was the main man.

"He took to what my dad wanted, like stopping the consumption of alcohol. Terry passed it on to all the lads so he was certainly a big factor in Yeovil's success.

"If the captain goes the other way to the manager, the lads tend to follow it. He was a massive part of changing the ethos of the Yeovil Town players.

"We are friends and I hope we will stay friends for as long as we live. We have had many a good time, our families get on well and he is a lovely bloke.

"He is one of the funniest men you will meet and he is not too bad at karaoke so he has quite a few strings to his bow, including acting.

"He used to be in Dream Team on Sky One as assistant-manager and he tells us about that every week."

Lee Johnson said that Skiverton's loyalty to one club is almost unheard of in the modern game. And the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion youngster hopes fans recognise this.

"It is a surprise to see people stay at a club for ten years and that is why I hope the Yeovil public turn out for him," said Lee Johnson.

"I do not think it will happen again and I cannot see anyone else have a testimonial again as that is just the way it is in football at the moment. I think that to be at a club for ten years and take it where it is now is a massive achievement."

Lee Johnson said that the only attribute that the defender was missing to play in the top flight was pace – and it came as no surprise to him when Skiverton was named Glovers' boss in February.

"I thought he was a great player and still is," said Lee Johnson. "He had everything to play at the levels he has played at – and the only thing he probably did not have to play at the top level was that pace which you need in the modern era.

"He certainly had everything else – football brain, bravery, reading of the game and leadership. He has done well, he has had a good career and is a good player-manager. I enjoyed playing with him and learned a lot – he was a good leader for me.

"Anyone who speaks as well as he does is always going to be interested in management. He was always interested in coaching and it was an absolute banker that he was going to manage Yeovil Town at some point.

"It was probably a bit earlier than he expected but I am sure it is a great opportunity to take charge of a Coca-Cola League One side at his age.

"How many people get a chance like that? He has got everyone behind him, he has got the backing of his friends, his family and the team so really as long as he does his best then he cannot fail whatever happens."

Lee Johnson said that he is looking forward to playing in Saturday's game and believes the talent on offer will make for an entertaining afternoon.

He said: "Darren Way telephoned me and told me the predicted teams and it seemed really good. It will be a good game and I think it will be quite tight. It will be definitely be fun to watch and I expect it will turn out to be quite competitive. Normally you see these testimonials at a snail's pace but I think the crowd could be in for a treat. I am looking forward to playing."

Lee Johnson left Yeovil in January 2006 to play for Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League. He moved to Ashton Gate a few months later.