2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
Ahead of the club's first home pre-season friendly, on 28 July, the club confirmed a further signing with trialist Iffy Allen signing a one-year contract. Yeovil's unbeaten pre-season came to an end with a 3–0 defeat against newly promoted Premier League side A.F.C. Bournemouth in front of an impressive crowd of 2,422. Yeovil's second home pre-season friendly saw them face Bristol City with a side featuring two new trialists in the form of former Peterborough United defender/midfielder Kane Ferdinand and Luton Town midfielder Andy Parry.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, Pre-season
The club beat their Championship opponents 1–0 with an injury time winner scored by youth team midfielder Max Melanson. Yeovil's pre-season concluded with a 3–2 victory over a Swansea City XI, consisting mostly of their U21 side, on 4 August 2015. The Yeovil team included four new trialists, including former Port Vale winger Jennison Myrie-Williams, Guyanese international Brandon Beresford, Crystal Palace academy midfielder Sonny Black and Shaun Keith. On 7 August, Yeovil completed the signing of Bournemouth winger Harry Cornick on a one-month loan deal.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, August
Yeovil's League Two season started with an away fixture against Exeter City, on 8 August, a match which coincided the fifth anniversary of the death of striker Adam Stansfield. Prior to the match the club signed Swansea City right back Connor Roberts on a one-month loan deal. Yeovil started the game poorly falling 2–0 behind at half time, but a goal 23 seconds into the second half through substitute Harry Cornick and a penalty from Matthew Dolan levelled the scores but the team eventually succumbed to a 3–2 defeat.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, August
On 11 August, Yeovil faced Queens Park Rangers at home in the first round of the League Cup, Yeovil though were outclassed with their Championship opponents running out 3–0 winners. Yeovil's first home league match of the season saw them face local rivals Bristol Rovers, on 15 August, a late Ellis Harrison goal saw Yeovil fall to a 1–0 defeat. On 18 August, ahead of the club's trip to York City, Yeovil signed Bournemouth midfielder Josh Wakefield on a one-month loan deal.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, August
The game itself was a poor one with Yeovil losing their third consecutive league match thanks to a goal from former Yeovil midfielder James Berrett. On 21 August, Paul Sturrock made his fifteenth signing of the summer with experienced midfielder David Norris joining on non-contract terms. On 22 August, Yeovil recorded their first win of the season after battling back from two goals down to beat Luton Town 3–2, with a goal from Fulham loanee Stephen Arthurworrey just before halftime and a brace from Ryan Bird in the second half helping Yeovil climb to nineteenth in the league. The result was the first time in ten years that the Glovers had come from two goals down to win a league match, and the first time since December 1999 at Huish Park. On 29 August, Yeovil traveled to unbeaten Oxford United and ended August with a 2–0 defeat.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
The 1 September saw Yeovil face Barnet in the first round of the Football League Trophy southern section at Huish Park, a dull game with just a single shot on target between the two sides was won courtesy of an own goal from Barnet defender Bira Dembélé as Yeovil progressed to face Coventry City in the second round. After the match manager Paul Sturrock revealed that midfielder David Norris had left the club after just one substitute appearance.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
On 5 September, Yeovil faced Morecambe and at half time led 2–0 thanks to goals from Harry Cornick and Omar Sowunmi either side of striker Shaun Jeffers being dismissed, 10-man Yeovil capitulated in the second half conceding four times to lose 4–2. After the match the loans of both Cornick and Connor Roberts were extended for a further month, while on 11 September, winger Jake Howells signed on a month's loan from Luton Town.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
On 12 September, Yeovil drew 1–1 at home with AFC Wimbledon, in the first meeting between the two sides Yeovil took the lead through Ryan Bird before former trialist Adebayo Akinfenwa equalised for the Dons with 11 minutes remaining.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
Prior to the trip to Crawley Town on 19 September, manager Paul Sturrock confirmed that youth team player Ollie Bassett would be making his first team debut, the attacking midfielder broke Steven Caulker's record as Yeovil's youngest ever player in the Football League by just 26 days and also the first youth team player to make his debut for Yeovil since Craig Alcock in May 2007.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
With the squad stretched due to injuries, Yeovil only named five substitutes one of whom was fellow youth team midfielder Max Melanson, despite this Yeovil recorded their first away win of the season courtesy of a 25-yard strike from Harry Cornick. During the week, Bournemouth midfielder Josh Wakefield returned to his parent club after the completion of his loan spell, and in his place Yeovil re-signed Swansea City player Josh Sheehan on loan until 28 December following a spell on loan at the end of the 2014–15 season.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, September
He made his second debut for the club on 26 September, in Yeovil's 2–1 home defeat to Hartlepool United, with Yeovil's goal coming courtesy of Ryan Bird's fourth of the season. On 29 September, Yeovil traveled to Accrington Stanley and despite a long range strike from loanee Josh Sheehan, Yeovil suffered another 2–1 defeat. Yeovil ended the month with a first round tie in the Somerset Premier Cup, with a team entirely made up of the club's youth team winning 3–2 away at Southern Premier League side Paulton Rovers.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
Yeovil's first match of October saw them face high-flying Portsmouth, the game was uneventful as Yeovil held their opponents to a creditable goalless draw. On 6 October, Yeovil faced League One opposition in the shape of Coventry City in the second round of the Football League Trophy, a second consecutive goalless draw saw the match be decided with a penalty shoot-out. Yeovil scored all four of their kicks, while keeper Artur Krysiak saved two of Coventry's to guide the Glovers through to the southern area quarter-final stage.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
Before the match the club had confirmed the extension of Bournemouth loanee Harry Cornick's loan for a further month. Yeovil's next game saw them play fellow struggles Dagenham & Redbridge, despite being two-nil down after 65 minutes the Glovers battled back to salvage a point with goals from top goalscorer Ryan Bird and a first for the club from defender Jakub Sokolík.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
After the match the club confirmed that left midfielder Jake Howells had returned to parent club Luton Town at the end of his loan spell, while Connor Roberts extended his loan spell from Swansea City for a further month. Yeovil lost two matches in four days, first 2–0 away at Notts County, and then 1–0 at home to Mansfield Town after conceding in the tenth minute of injury time as Yeovil slipped into the relegation zone.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
On 24 October, the club confirmed that striker Jamie Burrows had requested the cancellation of his contract having struggled with injury following his summer move from Rangers, while also announcing the signing of Coventry City attack-minded midfielder George Thomas on a one-month loan deal. Later that afternoon, Thomas made his debut against Cambridge United but a disastrous first half saw Yeovil trail 3–0 after just 35 minutes, goals from Ryan Bird and Josh Sheehan saw Yeovil rally but to no avail. After suffering a serious knee injury in the defeat to Cambridge, loanee centre-back Stephen Arthurworrey returned to Fulham early.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, October
Yeovil's final game of October, saw the Glovers travel to Carlisle United. The team started well unlike the week before against Cambridge leading 2–0 after only eight minutes with goals from Ryan Bird, his seventh of the season, and Harry Cornick despite this a second half collapse consigned Yeovil to a second consecutive 3–2 defeat and saw them drop to the bottom of the league table.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
The month started with the Yeovil U18 side featuring in the FA Youth Cup for the first time in three years, on 3 November, the youth side faced Forest Green Rovers in the first round. The young Glovers won the match 4–0 to set up a second round tie with the Metropolitan Police. Ahead of their FA Cup first round tie away at National League South side Maidstone United, manager Paul Sturrock signed up veteran defender Darren Ward on short-term deal until January.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
Nine-man Yeovil progressed past their Conference South opponents thanks to a goal from Wes Fogden, despite the dismissals of both defender Jakub Sokolík after just seven minutes and goalkeeper Artur Krysiak with more than half an hour to go. Two days later, Yeovil traveled to Kent once more this time to face League One side Gillingham in the southern area quarter-final of the Football League Trophy, with the suspension of Artur Krysiak youth team goalkeeper James Needle featured on the bench for the first time.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
Yeovil took the lead against their higher ranked opponents through Harry Cornick but were pegged back through a Bradley Garmston goal just before half-time, the game went to a penalty shoot-out with Gillingham missing their fourth kick while Yeovil once again scored all of their penalties with right-back Connor Roberts converting the winning penalty. After scoring in Yeovil's trophy success Cornick extended his loan from Bournemouth for a further month until 9 December.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
The same evening the Yeovil reserves side, entirely made up of academy players, exited the Somerset Premier Cup at the second round stage losing 4–1 to Odd Down. On 14 November, Yeovil faced Stevenage and despite leading twice through goals from Harry Cornick and Shaun Jeffers they were twice pegged back and a late equaliser meant the game finished 2–2. After the match, the club confirmed the extension of Connor Roberts loan from Swansea City for a further month until 16 December.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
On 18 December, the Yeovil U18 were knocked out of the second round of the FA Youth Cup at the hands of the Metropolitan Police, following a 1–1 draw after extra time the match went to a penalty shoot-out with the young Glovers losing 7–6 after a total of eighteen penalties. Ahead of Yeovil's trip to Newport County, the club signed Ivory Coast striker François Zoko on a short-term contract until 20 January. Zoko went straight into the Yeovil starting line-up for the match but couldn't arrest the club's form as they played out a goalless draw with Newport.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, November
Yeovil dropped to the bottom of the Football League once more after losing 1–0 at home to Wycombe Wanderers on 24 November. Loan transfer deadline day, on 26 November, the club announced the extension of George Thomas's loan from Coventry City until 3 January, while also signing young Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Christian Maghoma on loan until 2 January. Yeovil ended the month with a 2–0 defeat away at Northampton Town, on 28 November.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
The Northampton defeat turned out to be the last match for manager Paul Sturrock, who Yeovil parted company with on 1 December after a run of twelve league games without a victory. Sturrock was replaced by former Glovers midfielder Darren Way who was installed as interim manager by Chairman John Fry with former manager Terry Skiverton remaining as his assistant. Way's first move as manager was to offer a professional contract to youth team player Ollie Bassett, the young midfielder signing a contract until June 2017.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
Yeovil's first match under the stewardship of Darren Way was an FA Cup second round tie at home against Stevenage, on 5 December, a late strike from Ben Tozer helped Way earn a victory in his first game in temporary charge and guide Yeovil through to the third round of the FA Cup for the third successive season. Prior to the match Way had replaced Ryan Dickson as club captain with experienced defender Darren Ward being made captain.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
In the FA Cup third round, Yeovil were drawn away at fellow League Two side Carlisle United but due to the flood damage at their Brunton Park home caused by Storm Desmond the fixture was moved to Bloomfield Road the home of Blackpool. On 8 December, Yeovil faced Oxford United in the southern area semi-final of the Football League Trophy but were knocked out at the semi-final stage. Goals from Wes Fogden and Shaun Jeffers weren't enough as the Glovers lost 3–2.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
On 11 December, Yeovil confirmed that Coventry City midfielder George Thomas had returned to his parent club having only made five appearances for the Glovers, while the loan of Harry Cornick from Bournemouth was once again was extended this time until 11 January. In Way's first league match in charge, on 12 December, Yeovil scored twice in the last ten minutes courtesy of a brace from François Zoko to salvage a 2–2 draw against fellow strugglers Barnet.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
On 19 December, Yeovil traveled to Leyton Orient where Zoko scored his third goal in two matches to give Yeovil the lead on the stroke of half time but a 30-yard strike from Jobi McAnuff denied the Glovers victory. After the match, the club confirmed that the loans of Swansea City defender Connor Roberts and midfielder Josh Sheehan had both been extended until mid January. It was also confirmed that former Yeovil forward Chris Giles had returned to the club as acting first team coach.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, December
On Boxing Day, Yeovil traveled to top of the table Plymouth Argyle but came away empty handed losing 1–0 to the Devon side. Yeovil's tough Christmas fixtures continued with a home match against second placed Oxford United, on 28 December. Despite holding the promotion chasing side to a goalless draw, Yeovil dropped to the foot of the league table to end 2015. On 31 December, the club confirmed that interim boss Darren Way had been handed the role on a more permanent basis, but chairman John Fry didn't confirm the length of his contract.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
The opening of the January transfer window, saw Yeovil sign West Bromwich Albion forward Tahvon Campbell on a one-month loan deal, while captain Darren Ward signed a contract extension until June 2017. Yeovil started the new year with a relegation six-pointer at home against third from bottom York City. A first-half penalty from Matthew Dolan earned Yeovil a first league win in seventeen matches.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
After the match manager Darren Way continued to reshape his squad with Tottenham defender Christian Maghoma returning to Spurs having not made an appearance during his loan spells, while Swansea City midfielder Josh Sheehan's loan spell was cut short. Right back Connor Roberts extended his loan until the end of the season having been an ever-present in the side until that point, while Way signed young Everton midfielder Liam Walsh on a one-month loan deal.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
On 10 January, Yeovil traveled to Bloomfield Road to play Carlisle United in the FA Cup third round after falling behind twice but goals from François Zoko and Shaun Jeffers secured a replay. The winners of the replay were given a potential televised home match against Premier League side Everton in the FA Cup fourth round. On 16 January, Yeovil faced Morecambe.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
Yeovil had an early chance to take the lead but midfielder Matthew Dolan saw an eighth-minute penalty saved by keeper Barry Roche, despite the miss the Glovers took the lead through captain Darren Ward's first goal for the club, but the lead only lasted five minutes as Yeovil lost the match 2–1. Yeovil's next match saw them face Carlisle United in their third round replay, a match deemed to be worth over £200,000 to the winner. Yeovil took the lead in the first half through Jack Compton's first goal of the club before Antony Sweeney headed in a late equaliser.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
Following that equaliser a brawl broke out between the two sets of players but despite Carlisle striker Jabo Ibehre "clotheslining" Yeovil keeper Artur Krysiak, the striker escaped with just a yellow card. With the game deep into injury time in the second half Yeovil earned a penalty but striker François Zoko missed to send the game into extra time, the 30 minutes of extra time saw no further goals but two red cards with defender Alex Lacey receiving a red card for a studs-up tackle while Carlisle's Luke Joyce was dismissed for a second bookable offence.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
The game finished 1–1 after extra time and went to a penalty shoot-out, after eight successful kicks Matthew Dolan saw his penalty saved, for the second match in a row, to allow Mark Ellis to score to send Carlisle through to play Everton in the fourth round. After the game, the club confirmed that Ivorian striker Zoko had signed a new contract until the end of the season. On 23 January, Yeovil faced Crawley Town and thanks to goals from substitutes Tahvon Campbell and Ryan Bird won 2–1 to record their second consecutive home victory.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
The following week, striker Mark Beck departed the club on loan to National League side Wrexham until the end of the season, Bournemouth winger Harry Cornick having recovered from his injury rejoined the club on an initial one-month loan deal and West Brom loanee Tahvon Campbell extended his loan until 3 March. Yeovil ended the month with a trip to AFC Wimbledon and despite falling behind twice in the first half a hat-trick from winger Jack Compton earned Yeovil a 3–2 victory.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, January
The hat-trick was the first by a Yeovil player since Shaun MacDonald in March 2011, while the game also featured the return of Simon Gillett after more than year out through injury. Having overseen an upturn in Yeovil's fortunes in the month of January, with three victories, two draws and a defeat manager Darren Way was nominated for the Football League Two Manager of the Month award, but was beaten by eventual winner Chris Wilder.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
Transfer deadline day was quiet for Yeovil with only two late departures, winger Iffy Allen left to join Torquay United, while striker Shaun Jeffers left for Woking on a 28-day loan deal. A first goal for the club from Everton loanee Liam Walsh earned Yeovil a 1–1 draw away at Luton Town, on 2 February. After a hearing on 5 February, the Football Association fined both Yeovil and Carlisle United for failing to 'ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion', after a brawl during their FA Cup replay in January.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
Yeovil's next match against Plymouth Argyle was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. On 8 February, Liam Walsh's loan from Everton was extended for a further month. On 13 February, Yeovil traveled to relegation rivals Hartlepool United, but lost the match 2–1 with a consolation goal coming in second half injury time from François Zoko. The game also saw defender Nathan Smith receive his first red card in professional football, after he was adjudged to have shoved Billy Paynter.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
The following week saw Yeovil extend the loan of winger Harry Cornick from Bournemouth until 14 March, while fellow Bournemouth under-21 striker Brandon Goodship joined the club on a month's loan. Having returned to the relegation zone, Yeovil faced play-off chasing Portsmouth at home, and took the lead through Zoko's sixth goal since his arrival in November but despite Portsmouth being reduced to ten men the south coast side fought back to earn a 1–1 draw leaving the club still in the relegation places.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, February
On 23 February, Yeovil played second place Plymouth Argyle, in their rearranged fixture, and earned a 0–0 draw to leave relegation zone on goal difference. Yeovil ended the month with a crucial 1–0 away victory over bottom placed side Dagenham & Redbridge, with Goodship scoring his first professional goal as Yeovil extended their unbeaten run to three matches.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Yeovil began March with a visit of Accrington Stanley to Huish Park. Before the match manager Darren Way confirmed that midfielder Wes Fogden, who hadn't featured for the club since early December, had suffered a serious knee injury that would rule him out for the remainder of the season. Yeovil beat fourth placed Accrington courtesy of a goal from left back Ryan Dickson, his first of the season, to move six points clear of the relegation zone.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Before the Glovers trip to Mansfield Town, Yeovil extended the loan of Tahvon Campbell from West Bromwich Albion for a further month, midfielder Liam Walsh from Everton until 5 April. While Simon Gillett left the club in search of first-team football joining League One side Peterborough United on loan for a month. On the day of the match the club confirmed the signing of former England under-21 striker Leroy Lita on a short-term contract until the end of the season.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Ryan Dickson scored his second winner in the space of five days with a stoppage-time goal at Mansfield to give Yeovil a third consecutive 1–0 victory. On 12 March, Yeovil extended their unbeaten run to six matches, with a fourth consecutive 1–0 victory and a fifth clean sheet in a row, after a François Zoko goal earned victory over Notts County. With Leroy Lita making his debut as a substitute and missing a penalty with his first touch.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
Yeovil's winning run came to an end as the club suffered a 3–0 defeat away at Cambridge United, with Everton loanee Liam Walsh being sent off for violent conduct, the club's seventh red card of the season. On 21 March, right-back Connor Roberts received a call-up to the Wales under-21 side meaning his ever-present run in the Yeovil side came to an end. Prior to Yeovil's match with Carlisle United, Bournemouth striker Brandon Goodship extended his loan until the end of the season, while Welsh defender Liam Shephard joined on a one-month loan deal from Swansea City.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, March
His debut though was delayed after the early closure of FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland meant his international clearance failed to come through in time for the visit of Carlisle. The match ended 0–0. On 31 March, forward Tahvon Campbell extended his loan from West Brom until the end of the season. Yeovil's form in the month of March, saw manager Darren Way receive his second manager of the month nomination in three months, after amassing ten points from their five games and keeping four clean sheets in the process, but was beaten by eventual winner Darrell Clarke.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
Yeovil opened the month of April, with a 1–0 victory over Newport County thanks to a penalty scored by Jack Compton. Prior to the 2016 Football League Trophy Final, it was announced that Glovers defender Nathan Smith had been named in the team of the tournament. On 4 April, Peterborough United announced the extension of Simon Gillett's loan until the end of the season. The next day, Yeovil traveled to Stevenage as goalkeeper Artur Krysiak earned his eighth clean sheet in nine matches in a 0–0 draw.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
Having guided Yeovil to the brink of safety fourteen points clear of the relegation zone, manager Darren Way was awarded a new three-year contract. Yeovil's four month unbeaten home record came to an end with a 2–0 defeat against Exeter City. Following the match, the Football League announced that Yeovil fan Pat Custard had been nominated for the Supporter of the Year award. On 14 April, Everton midfielder Liam Walsh extended his loan until the end of the season.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
The club also announced that they had suffered a loss of £692,000 for the year ending June 2015, with chairman John Fry blaming the losses on the "true cost of [the club's] relegation from the Championship". On 16 April, despite losing 2–1 away at Bristol Rovers with Leroy Lita scoring the Yeovil goal, Yeovil confirmed their League Two status with four matches to spare as other results went their way. Before Yeovil's next match against Wycombe Wanderers, Way confirmed that defender Jakub Sokolík was to have surgery on a long-standing wrist problem. Yeovil drew 0–0 with play-off chasing Wycombe.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
On 23 April, Yeovil's penultimate home match of the season saw them face champions Northampton Town, they took an early lead through Bournemouth loanee Harry Cornick but Northampton equalised before half-time and the match ended in a 1–1 draw. Yeovil's final away match of the season saw them travel to Barnet, on 30 April, after a poor start to the match Yeovil trailed 2–0, before Matthew Dolan pulled a goal back but John Akinde soon restored Barnet's two goal advantage.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
Yeovil hit back through Nathan Smith's, second goal for the club and first since 2008, and equalised with fifteen minutes remaining through François Zoko. Then with seconds remaining a counter-attack saw Liam Walsh find Harry Cornick who scored to give Yeovil a 4–3 win. Yeovil's season ended with a 1–0 home defeat against Leyton Orient.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Review, April and May
The club's end of season awards, followed the conclusion of the Leyton Orient match, with the awards being shared between Swansea City loanee Connor Roberts who picked up four player of the season awards as well as the Bobby Hamilton Young Player of the Year award, while goalkeeper Artur Krysiak also picked up four awards as well as the Community Champion award.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
Yeovil struggled in the first half of the season with only 11 points from their first 20 league games, but after the sacking of manager Paul Sturrock the club's form turned around and after picking up 38 points under his replacement Darren Way the club finished safely in lower mid-table. In the league the team won 6 matches, drew 9 and lost 8 at home, compared to winning 5, drawing 6 and losing 12 away from home.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
The club's 43 league goals was the fewest in League Two. Connor Roberts recorded the highest number of appearances during the season, appearing in 53 of Yeovil's 54 matches. Ryan Bird, Harry Cornick and François Zoko were the club's joint top scorers with 8 goals each, with Bird scoring the most in the league.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
The end of the season saw Way release eight players, including Jack Compton, Jordan Gibbons, Simon Gillett, Shaun Jeffers, Marc Laird, Leroy Lita, Jakub Sokolík and Chris Weale, while the club terminated the contracts of Mark Beck and Wes Fogden a year early. Six players were offered new contracts by Darren Way, defender Nathan Smith and Ivorian striker François Zoko agreed new one-year contracts, while goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, Ryan Dickson and Omar Sowunmi all agreed two-year contract extensions. Defensive midfielder Ben Tozer verbally agreed a new contract subject to him passing a medical after recovering from an operation on his knee, but later rejected the offer to sign for Newport County.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Club
The club's management team and backroom staff remained largely the same as the end of the 2014–15 season, with manager Paul Sturrock signing a new two-year contract having been working with the club informally since his appointment in April 2015. In addition his assistant Terry Skiverton and coach Darren Way both agreed new deals to extend their stay at the club. Goalkeeper Chris Weale signed a new contract with the club to takeover from Gareth Stewart as the club's new goalkeeping coach.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Club
Further cost-cutting measures saw the departure of head physio Simon Baker at the end of the season with Mike Micciche assuming sole physio duties. On 1 December, following a run of twelve league games without a victory and the club bottom of the Football League, Yeovil sacked manager Paul Sturrock and installed first team coach Darren Way as his successor as interim manager. Way drafted in former Yeovil striker Chris Giles as acting first team coach to fill the void following his own promotion to interim manager. On 31 December, after six games as interim boss the club confirmed the appointment of Darren Way as permanent boss, although without confirming the length of his contract.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Club
The 2015–16 season saw the relaunch of the club's youth academy after a two-season hiatus, with former Torquay United academy manager Geoff Harrop joining the newly formed Category 3 set up in the same role. On 10 July 2015, the club announced that former Plymouth Argyle player and coach David Byrne as head of youth responsible for the coaching of the academy and under 18's manager.


2015–16 Yeovil Town F.C. season, Club
A new home and away kit were once again introduced. The new home kit again featured green and white hoops, but in the new kit with wider green and white stripe than previously and with the club crest inside of a shield to make the crest more prominent on the green hoop. While the away kit saw a copy of the previous seasons home kit, featuring a gold jersey with green hoops themselves made up of six further green stripes. The kits continued to feature Thatchers Cider as rear shirt sponsor, but the 2015–16 season saw the return of Jones Building Group as the club's main sponsor on an initial one-year contract.


2015–16 York City F.C. season
The 2015–16 season was the 94th season of competitive association football and 79th season in the Football League played by York City Football Club, a professional football club based in York, North Yorkshire, England. Their 18th-place finish in 2014–15 meant it was their fourth successive season in League Two. The 2015–16 season ran from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.


2015–16 York City F.C. season
Russ Wilcox made six permanent summer signings, as he approached his first full season as York manager. In October 2015, Wilcox was sacked with York 21st in the table, following a nine-match run without a win. He was replaced by former Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara in November 2015. However, York never ranked higher than 22nd place under McNamara, and were relegated into the National League after finishing bottom of the 24-team 2015–16 League Two. They lost in their opening round match in the 2015–16 FA Cup, and were eliminated in the second round of the League Cup and the Northern section quarter-final of the Football League Trophy.


2015–16 York City F.C. season
42 players made at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, and there were 18 different goalscorers. Goalkeeper Scott Flinders missed only three of the 51 first-team matches over the season. Vadaine Oliver finished as leading scorer with 10 goals, of which seven came in league competition, one came in the FA Cup and two came in the Football League Trophy. The winner of the Clubman of the Year award, voted for by the club's supporters, was defender Dave Winfield.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
The 2014–15 season was Nigel Worthington's second start to a season as manager of York City, having taken charge in March 2013. Worthington resigned in October 2014 with York one place above the relegation zone. He was replaced by Russ Wilcox, who had led Scunthorpe United to promotion from League Two last season before being sacked with them struggling in League One. York secured safety from relegation with more than two weeks of the season remaining, and finished in 18th place in the 2014–15 League Two table.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
Ahead of 2015–16, York released Wes Fletcher, Ryan Jarvis, Lewis Montrose and Daniel Parslow, while Jason Mooney left for Accrington Stanley. Josh Carson, Michael Ingham and Tom Platt were retained with new contracts. York made nine summer signings, those being goalkeeper Scott Flinders from Hartlepool United, defenders Taron Hare and Eddie Nolan from Scunthorpe United, George Swan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, David Tutonda on loan from Cardiff City and Stéphane Zubar on loan from AFC Bournemouth, midfielder James Berrett from Yeovil Town, and strikers Vadaine Oliver from Crewe Alexandra and Reece Thompson from Frickley Athletic. Midfielder Callum Rzonca entered the first-team squad from the youth team after agreeing a professional contract.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Background and pre-season
New home and away kits were introduced for the second successive summer. The home kit included red shirts with a navy blue diagonal stripe, red shorts and red socks. The away kits featured black shirts with yellow trims on each shoulder and on each side, black shorts with yellow trims on each side and block socks. Benenden Health continued as shirt sponsors for the fourth successive season.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, August
York's first match was away to last season's League Two play-off finalists, Wycombe Wanderers, which they lost 3–0. Anthony Stewart opened the scoring with a header before Aaron Amadi-Holloway scored from a low shot, and Zubar scored an own goal when his attempted back-pass lobbed Flinders. York then played League One team Bradford City at home in the first round of the League Cup, and the visitors took the lead in the first half through a Christopher Routis volley.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, August
Luke Summerfield equalised with a penalty in the 49th minute, and after Bradford missed a penalty 20 minutes from time, Berrett scored a free kick in the 85th minute. James Hanson headed an equaliser for Bradford in stoppage time, and the match ended 2–2 after extra time. York won the penalty shoot-out 4–2, and Flinders saved two penalties before Carson scored the winning spot kick. York lost 2–1 to Hartlepool United in their first home league match of the season, despite taking the lead in the 57th minute when Thompson scored after Hartlepool failed to clear Summerfield's cross. Billy Paynter curled a shot into the top corner before Michael Woods scored the winner for Hartlepool in the 81st minute, after his miskicked shot took a touch off Berrett.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, August
York picked up their first points of the season after they beat Yeovil Town 1–0 at home, in which Berrett scored in the 63rd minute with a deflected 20-yard shot. This was followed by a 0–0 away draw with Exeter City, in which Zubar was carried off injured. Following the match, Lindon Meikle was released by mutual consent, having failed to make a matchday squad in the first five matches of the season.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, August
York were beaten 3–0 away by Swansea City of the Premier League in the League Cup third round, with Nathan Dyer, Matt Grimes and Marvin Emnes scoring their goals. Zubar returned to Bournemouth after he suffered cruciate ligament damage during the Exeter match. Platt was loaned to National League North team Harrogate Town for three months. Thompson gave York a sixth-minute lead with a close-range finish in a home match against Mansfield Town. The away team scored twice later in the first half through Matt Green, and York lost the match 2–1.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, September
York achieved their first away win of the season after beating bottom-of-the-table Newport County 3–0. Berrett opened the scoring in the first half with a shot into the bottom corner, and in the second half Thompson scored a header before Oliver scored with a close-range finish. York drew 2–2 away to Stevenage, and took the lead in the 39th minute with a Nolan shot from the edge of the penalty area.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, September
Chris Whelpdale and Charlie Lee scored for Stevenage in quick succession early in the second half, and Summerfield equalised with a curling shot on 74 minutes, before Flinders saved a late Brett Williams penalty. Striker Rhys Turner joined on a one-month loan from Oldham Athletic, and made his debut in York's 2–2 home draw with Carlisle United. York were 2–0 down at half-time, before Oliver was sent off for an off-the-ball incident early in the second half. However, within a two-minute period, Summerfield scored a penalty and Carson converted an Emile Sinclair cross to bring the score to 2–2.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, September
York were beaten 1–0 away by Notts County, whose goal came in the 12th minute when Izale McLeod capitalised on a mistake by Flinders. Platt was recalled from his loan at Harrogate, where he made six appearances, after Summerfield sustained back and head injuries in the match against Notts County. York lost 2–1 at home to Oxford United; having gone behind, Turner scored an equaliser after confusion between Sam Slocombe and Johnny Mullins in the penalty area, but the away team scored the winning goal in the second half. Striker Ben Hirst went on a one-month loan to Northern Premier League Division One North club Scarborough Athletic, having had limited chances in the team.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Midfielder Michael Collins joined on a one-month loan from Oxford, as cover for the injured Nolan and Summerfield. Michael Coulson scored with a low shot to give York a 50th-minute lead at home to Cambridge United, and John McCombe scored four minutes later with a curling shot to make the score 2–0. However, Mark Roberts and Barry Corr scored for Cambridge in the last 19 minutes, and the match finished a 2–2 draw. York knocked League One team Doncaster Rovers out of the Football League Trophy in the second round with a 2–0 home win.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Oliver gave York an early lead with a header into the bottom corner from an Anthony Straker cross, and he doubled the lead early into the second half; after dispossessing Aaron Taylor-Sinclair he lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper, Thorsten Stuckmann, before hitting the ball into an empty net. York ended Luton Town's four-match winning streak with a 1–1 away draw; Lowe scored late into the first half with a shot into the top of the goal, before Luton equalised in the second half from a Cameron McGeehan penalty. Turner's loan was extended for a second month.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, October
York were beaten 3–1 away by Barnet, who had been on a three-match losing streak. After going behind to John Akinde's goal, Coulson equalised for York in the 80th minute with a drilled shot, but goals in the last 10 minutes from Michael Gash and Josh Clarke secured a win for the home team.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Oliver scored a tap-in to give York a 14th-minute lead at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, before the away team equalised through Ashley Hemmings later in the first half. Jamie Cureton gave Dagenham the lead early in the second half before Coulson scored with a curling shot from 20 yards on 79 minutes, the match finishing a 2–2 draw. York lost 3–1 at home to AFC Wimbledon, who took the lead in the first half through Ade Azeez before Oliver equalised with a bicycle kick in the 60th minute.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, October
Lyle Taylor and Tom Elliott scored later in the second half to secure AFC Wimbledon's first successive win of 2015. Wilcox and his assistant John Schofield were sacked with York 21st in the table after a run of nine matches without a win. First-team coach Richard Cresswell took over as caretaker manager, assisted by youth-team coach Jonathan Greening and goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning. Middlesbrough midfielder Bryn Morris, an England youth international, was signed on a one-month loan, and Collins' loan was extended for a second month. Cresswell's first match in charge was a 1–0 away defeat to Crawley Town, who scored in the 86th minute with a Simon Walton penalty.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
Former Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara was appointed as Wilcox's successor, with Simon Donnelly joining as his assistant. McNamara's first match in charge was a 3–2 away defeat in the FA Cup first round to Accrington Stanley, who took the lead on 29 minutes through Sean McConville, before Oliver equalised for York five minutes later with a close-range finish. Matt Crooks put Accrington back in front two minutes later and Josh Windass scored a penalty early into the second half, before Coulson scored a consolation goal for York with a stoppage time header.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
York were eliminated from the Football League Trophy after being beaten 2–1 away by Barnsley in the Northern section quarter-final. Coulson opened the scoring for York on 40 minutes with a free kick into the top-left corner, before the League One team scored in the second half through Ben Pearson and Adam Hammill. Greening, who began his career at the club, registered as a player on non-contract terms aged 36, to provide cover with a number of midfielders unavailable.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
York were beaten 2–1 at home by league leaders Plymouth Argyle, who were two goals up by half-time with goals from Jake Jervis and Graham Carey. Dave Winfield was stretchered off with his neck in a brace during the second half, and Ben Godfrey scored a consolation goal for York during the 10 minutes of stoppage time that followed. Defender Will Boyle, the Huddersfield Town under-21 captain, was signed on a youth loan until January 2016.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
York were beaten 3–2 away by Leyton Orient, who took a two-goal lead through Mathieu Baudry and Jay Simpson before Oliver equalised in first-half stoppage time. Orient restored their two-goal advantage through Simpson in the second half, and Oliver scored a consolation goal with a header in the 86th minute. York were beaten 6–0 away by Portsmouth, in which Greening was sent off before half-time for catching Michael Doyle with his elbow, before Ben Davies and Marc McNulty gave the home team the lead early in the second half.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
McNulty scored two more goals before Ben Tollitt and Conor Chaplin finished the scoring for Portsmouth; this result saw York drop into the relegation zone for the first time in 2015–16. York signed five players before the deadline for loan transfers: defenders Mark Kitching from Middlesbrough and Stefan O'Connor from Arsenal, midfielders Jordan Lussey from Bolton Wanderers and Kenny McEvoy from Tottenham Hotspur, and striker Bradley Fewster from Middlesbrough. Winger Danny Galbraith, released by Gillingham at the end of last season, was signed before the deadline for free transfers.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, November
Collins, Morris, Turner and Tutonda were sent back to their parent clubs. York suffered another heavy defeat after losing 5–1 at home to Accrington, who were two goals up at half-time with goals from Matty Pearson and Billy Kee. Josh Windass scored a penalty for Accrington after O'Connor tripped Tom Davies, and Kee scored their fourth before Fewster scored for York with a shot into the bottom corner on 75 minutes. Shay McCartan finished the scoring for Accrington late into the match, and the result meant York equalled a club record of eight straight defeats.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, December
Lowe left the club by mutual consent, having earlier been made available for loan by McNamara. Goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning left the club, and was replaced by Craig Hinchliffe, who worked with McNamara at Dundee United. Lussey's loan came to a premature end, after he tore a muscle. York dropped to the bottom of the table after being beaten 2–1 away by Bristol Rovers, in which they took the lead on 41 minutes with an eight-yard volley scored by Oliver. Jermaine Easter equalised for Rovers on 71 minutes, before Matty Taylor scored their winning goal in stoppage time.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, December
Cresswell and Greening left the club by mutual consent, while Steve Torpey returned as youth-team coach. York won for the first time in 10 matches after beating Morecambe 2–1 at home, which saw them move out of the relegation zone. Winfield opened the scoring with a header from Berrett's cross on 38 minutes, and Berrett doubled the lead in the 52nd minute with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, before Jamie Devitt scored a consolation goal for Morecambe two minutes later. York drew 1–1 away to Mansfield, taking the lead on 10 minutes when Winfield touched in Summerfield's free kick, before the home team equalised later in the first half through Krystian Pearce.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, January
York dropped to the bottom of the table after being beaten 1–0 away by Yeovil, who in turn moved above York; their goal came from a Matthew Dolan penalty scored late in the first half. Fewster's loan was extended to the end of the season, while McEvoy was signed permanently for the rest of 2015–16. Burnley right-back Luke Hendrie and Newcastle United centre-back Kyle Cameron were signed on one-month loans, while Ntumba Massanka joined on loan from Burnley until the end of the season.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, January
Godfrey joined Premier League club Norwich City for an undisclosed fee, believed to be £150,000, with further clauses that could take the figure to £1 million if met. The money was to be invested on strengthening the team, and York immediately replaced Godfrey with Hull City midfielder Matty Dixon, who signed a one-and-a-half-year contract on a free transfer. York lost 1–0 at home to fellow strugglers Newport, who had only appointed their manager Warren Feeney a day earlier. The loss came after Aaron Collins scored in the eighth minute. Marvin McCoy and Straker left the club by mutual consent, while McCombe and Nolan were also offered severance packages.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, January
York drew 1–1 away with Carlisle, who took the lead early in the first half through Jason Kennedy, before Summerfield equalised for York on 87 minutes after Fewster's shot hit the post. Nolan left by mutual consent, before Hendrie had his loan extended to the end of the season. Platt returned to Harrogate on a one-month loan, while Ľubomír Šatka, a Slovakia under-21 international, joined one a one-month youth loan from Newcastle.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, January
Former Scotland international striker Derek Riordan, who last played for East Fife, was signed on a contract until the end of the season, after impressing during a two-week trial. York moved within three points of safety after beating Stevenage 2–1 at home, McEvoy scoring the opening goal in the 15th minute with a shot from 12 yards. Keith Keane scored an equaliser for Stevenage on 78 minutes, before Galbraith scored the winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time, with a low shot in off the post from the edge of the penalty area.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
On transfer deadline day, McCombe left the club after agreeing a severance package, and Sinclair joined National League club Guiseley on a one-month loan. York lost 2–0 away to top-of-the-table Northampton Town, who scored in each half through John-Joe O'Toole and Marc Richards, and had Hendrie sent off for a foul on Ricky Holmes. Cameron's loan was extended until the end of the season, having impressed in his four starts for the club.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
York won successive home wins for the first time in 2015–16 after they beat Notts County 2–1, a result that saw them move off the bottom of the table into 23rd place. Coulson opened the scoring on 24 minutes after lobbing goalkeeper Roy Carroll from 15 yards before Fewster scored from close range from McEvoy's cross in the 39th minute. County recorded a consolation goal after Šatka scored an own goal in the second half.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
York moved out of the relegation into 22nd place with a 2–0 home win over Exeter, and in doing so ended the club's longest run without a clean sheet since 1967, after 23 matches. Fewster scored both goals, the first in the 35th minute with a low shot at close range from Coulson's pass, and the second in the 64th minute with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
York's two-match winning run came to an end after being beaten 3–1 away by Cambridge, who had taken a two-goal lead by the 26th minute through Jimmy Spencer and Josh Coulson. Berrett scored for York seven minutes later with a long-range shot into the top-left corner, before Ben Williamson finished the scoring for Cambridge in the second half. York dropped back into the relegation zone in 23rd place after losing 2–1 at home to Northampton, who took the lead late in the first half through James Collins.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
John Marquis doubled Northampton's lead early into the second half, and Russell Penn scored a consolation goal for York with a 25-yard dipping volley in the third minute of stoppage time. Huddersfield's Boyle rejoined on loan until the end of the season, while Hare was loaned out to Northern Premier League Premier Division club Stamford for one month. York were beaten 3–2 at home by Luton, Cameron McGeehan giving the visitors the lead early in the second half before Fewster equalised in the 62nd minute after rounding goalkeeper Mark Tyler.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, February
After Jack Marriott restored Luton's lead, Fewster scored York's second goal on 82 minutes before Olly Lee scored a solo goal to win the match for the visitors in stoppage time. Šatka's loan from Newcastle was extended to the end of the season. Fewster was named the League Two Player of the Month for February 2016, having scored five goals over the month.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, March
York lost 4–0 away to third-place Oxford, in what was only their first home league win of 2016, with a first-half goal from Jordan Bowery and second-half goals from Chey Dunkley, Danny Hylton and Kemar Roofe. Platt and Sinclair's respective loans at Harrogate and Guiseley were extended for a further month. York were beaten 1–0 away by bottom-of-the-table Dagenham, which meant they moved to within two points of York.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, March
Penn was sent off in the 57th minute for handling the ball on the goal line, and the resulting Joss Labadie penalty was saved by Flinders, before Dagenham scored the only goal through Josh Passley on 78 minutes. York signed Rochdale striker Lewis Alessandra on a one-month emergency loan and Notts County defender Scot Bennett on loan for the rest of 2015–16, while Massanka was recalled by Burnley. The team drew 1–1 at home with Barnet, which combined with Hartlepoool's win over Dagenham meant York were seven points adrift of safety. Alessandra gave York the lead 20 minutes into his debut with a shot from 10 yards after Jake Hyde hit the post, before Barnet equalised shortly before half-time through Akinde. Rzonca joined Stamford on a one-month loan, with Hare's loan at the club extended to the end of the season.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, March
York were beaten 2–1 away by AFC Wimbledon, and they took the lead in the 38th minute when Penn rebounded in Oliver's blocked shot. Rhys Murphy equalised for AFC Wimbledon on 68 minutes, before Jake Reeves scored with a 30-yard volley in the third minute of stoppage time. Platt's contract with York was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to join Harrogate permanently.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, March
York remained seven points adrift of safety with a 2–2 draw at home to Crawley, who took the lead on five minutes through Matt Harrold before Summerfield equalised for York with a 30th-minute penalty after Alessandra was fouled by Jon Ashton in the penalty area. Liam McAlinden put Crawley back in the lead on 48 minutes, before Coulson scored York's equaliser with a curling 15-yard shot in the 69th minute. York had fallen three goals behind away to promotion-chasing Plymouth by the 42nd minute of a 3–2 defeat, who scored through Jamille Matt, Reuben Reid and a Boyle own goal. Penn brought York back into the match with a drilled shot on 52 minutes, before Summerfield scored a penalty in the 86th minute.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
York moved to being nine points from safety after drawing 1–1 at home to Orient, in which York took the lead in the 17th minute when Fewster converted Summerfield's cross from three yards. Boyle was sent off on 74 minutes after receiving a second yellow card for diving, before Orient equalised a minute later through Lloyd James. Sinclair's loan at Guiseley was extended to the end of the season. York moved closer to relegation after a 1–1 home draw with Wycombe, which left them nine points from safety with five fixtures remaining.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
York took the lead when Oliver scored his first goal since December 2015 with a 10-yard shot into bottom corner on 35 minutes, before Matt Bloomfield equalised for Wycombe in the 88th minute. Alessandra's loan was extended to the end of the season, after scoring once in six appearances. York were left on the verge of relegation from League Two after a 2–1 away defeat to Hartlepool, with the team 11 points adrift of safety with four fixtures remaining. York went behind on 24 minutes to Nathan Thomas's goal, and 11 minutes later Winfield was sent off for a second yellow card. Cameron equalised for York in first-half stoppage time with a header from Summerfield's corner, before Michael Woods scored Hartlepool's winning goal on 72 minutes.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
York won for the first time in 13 matches after beating Portsmouth 3–1 at home, but were left nine points adrift of safety with three matches remaining. Fewster headed York into the lead on 30 minutes and Alessandra scored with a low shot four minutes later. Summerfield made it 3–0 three minutes after half-time with a 30-yard shot, before Portsmouth scored a consolation goal through Gareth Evans in the 55th minute. York's relegation into the National League was confirmed after a 3–0 away defeat to Accrington, marking the end of a four-year spell in the Football League.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Review, April and May
Promotion-chasing Accrington opened the scoring in the first half through Tariqe Fosu, before Josh Windass scored twice in the second half. York were beaten 4–1 by promotion-chasing Bristol Rovers in their last home match of the season, dropping to the bottom of the table as a result. Billy Bodin scored Rovers' first two goals before Jermaine Easter and Lee Mansell scored either side of McEvoy's 81st-minute goal, a close-range finish from Fewster's low cross from the left. Before the match, Winfield was named the 2015–16 Clubman of the Year, voted for by the club's supporters. York's last match of the season was a 1–1 away draw with Morecambe, in which they took the lead after Summerfield scored in first-half stoppage time, before the home team equalised through Jamie Devitt. This meant York's final league position in 2015–16 was bottom place, being relegated alongside 23rd-place Dagenham.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
York released Carson, Hare, Hirst, Femi Ilesanmi, McEvoy, Riordan, Sinclair and Swan after the season ended. Berrett, Coulson, Hyde and Penn left to join Grimsby Town, St Johnstone, Stevenage and Carlisle respectively, while Ingham, Summerfield and Winfield rejected new contracts. Galbraith and Rzonca signed new contracts with the club.


2015–16 York City F.C. season, Summary and aftermath
York's summer signings have included goalkeeper Luke Simpson from Watford, defenders Ben Barber from Stoke City, Ben Clappison from Hull, Matt Fry from Braintree Town, Jack Higgins from Stalybridge Celtic, Lanre Oyebanjo from Crawley, Josh Robinson from Crusaders, Shaun Rooney from Dunfermline Athletic and Alex Whittle from Southport, midfielders Franklyn Clarke from Dorchester Town, Simon Heslop from Wrexham, Clovis Kamdjo from Forest Green Rovers Yan Klukowski from Newport and Charlie Wardle from Northwich Manchester Villa, wingers Aidan Connolly from Raith Rovers, Kaine Felix and Boston United and Daniel Nti from Worcester City, and strikers Richard Brodie from Stockport County and Scott Fenwick from Hartlepool. Midfielder Tyler Walton and striker Nick Kennedy joined the first-team squad from the youth team after signing professional contracts with the club.


2015–16 Youngstown State Penguins men's basketball team
The 2015–16 Youngstown State Penguins men's basketball team represented Youngstown State University during the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Penguins, were led by eleventh year head coach Jerry Slocum, played their home games at the Beeghly Center and were members of the Horizon League. They finished the season 11–21, 6–12 in Horizon League play to finish in seventh place. They lost to Detroit in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament.


2015–16 Youngstown State Penguins men's basketball team, Previous season
The Penguins finished the 2014–15 season 11–21, 2–14 in Horizon League play to finish in ninth place. They lost to Detroit in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament. After the 2014–15 season, guard Marcus Keene transferred to Central Michigan.


2015–16 Zamalek SC season
The 2015–16 season is Zamalek Sports Club 105th season of football since existence in 1911, 60th consecutive season in the Egyptian Premier League, the top flight in the Egyptian football. The club also play in the CAF Champions League, after winning the 2014–15 Egyptian Premier League.


2015–16 Zamalek SC season, Team kit
The team kits for this season are manufactured by Macron.


2015–16 Zamalek SC season, Players, Squad information
Egyptian Football Association (EFA) rules are that a team may only have 3 foreign born players in the squad. The Squad Has 25 Players Registered as Professionals and 5 Players Registered (-U23) and 2 Players of the Youth academy


2015–16 Zamalek SC season, Players, Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


2015–16 Zanzibar Premier League
The 2015–16 Zanzibar Premier League season is the top level of football competition in Zanzibar.


2015–16 Zanzibar Premier League, Qualifying stage
The qualifying stage was divided into two leagues, one for teams in Unguja Island and one for teams in Pemba Island. In both leagues, the top four teams qualify for the championship playoff (8 Bora).


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic
An epidemic of Zika fever, caused by Zika virus, began in Brazil and affected other countries in the Americas  from April 2015 to November 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the epidemic in November 2016, but noted that the virus still represents "a highly significant and long term problem". It is estimated that 1.5 million people were infected by Zika virus in Brazil, with over 3,500 cases of infant microcephaly reported between October 2015 and January 2016. The epidemic also affected other parts of South and North America, as well as several islands in the Pacific.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic
Zika virus spread to Brazil from Oceania in 2013 or 2014. Brazil notified the WHO of an illness characterized by skin rash in March 2015, and Zika was identified as the cause in May 2015. In February 2016, the WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern as evidence grew that Zika can cause birth defects as well as neurological problems. The virus can be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and can cause microcephaly and other severe brain anomalies in the infant. Zika infections in adults can result in Guillain–Barré syndrome.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic
In approximately one in five cases, Zika virus infections result in Zika fever, a minor illness that causes symptoms such as fever and a rash. Prior to the outbreak, Zika was considered a mild infection, as most infections are asymptomatic, making it difficult to determine precise estimates of the number of cases.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic
The virus is spread mainly by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is commonly found throughout the tropical and subtropical Americas. It can also be spread by the Aedes albopictus ("Asian tiger") mosquito, which is distributed as far north as the Great Lakes region in North America. People infected with Zika can transmit the virus to their sexual partners.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic
A number of countries were issued travel warnings, and the outbreak was expected to reduce tourism significantly. Several countries took the unusual step of advising their citizens to delay pregnancy until more was known about the virus and its impact on fetal development. Furthermore, the outbreak raised concerns regarding the safety of athletes and spectators at the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
As early as August 2014, physicians in Natal, in northeastern Brazil began to investigate an outbreak of illness characterized by a flat pinkish rash, bloodshot eyes, fever, joint pain and headaches. While the symptoms resembled dengue fever, testing ruled out this and several other potential causes. By March 2015, the illness had spread to Salvador, Bahia and had appeared in three different states. Then, in May 2015, researchers from the Federal University of Bahia and the Evandro Chagas Institute determined, using the RT-PCR technique, that the illness was an outbreak of Zika virus. Although, the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil were diagnosed in a returning traveller in March 2015.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
The Zika virus was first isolated in 1947, in a rhesus monkey in a forest near Entebbe, Uganda. Although serologic evidence indicated additional human exposure during subsequent decades in parts of Africa and Asia, before the 2007 Yap Islands Zika virus outbreak, only 14 cases of human Zika virus disease had been documented.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
Researchers generally believe the virus was brought to Brazil by an infected traveler who had been exposed to the virus in French Polynesia, who was then bitten by a mosquito that then infected others. Phylogenetic analysis of the first Brazilian infections have strongly indicated that the circulating virus is the Asian, rather than African, strain of the virus, and was genetically similar to the virus found in the outbreak in French Polynesia. It appears Zika's route – from Africa and Asia to Oceania and then the Americas – may mirror that of chikungunya and dengue, both of which are now endemic in a large portion of the Americas.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
The specific event that brought the virus to Brazil was uncertain until March 2016. Brazilian researchers had suggested that the Zika virus arrived during the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament. French researchers speculated the virus arrived shortly afterwards, in August 2014, when canoeing teams from French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Easter Island, and the Cook Islands, which had been or were experiencing Zika outbreaks, attended the Va'a World Sprint Championships in Rio de Janeiro.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
However, the outbreak in French Polynesia is known to have peaked and declined precipitously by February 2014, lending doubt to the suggestion the virus arrived later that year in Brazil with spectators and competitors. In March 2016, a study published in Science, which developed a "molecular clock" based on the count of virus mutations in a relatively small sample, suggested Zika virus arrived in the Americas (most likely in Brazil) from French Polynesia between May and December 2013, well before the World Cup and Va'a Championships.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
In the Science article, Faria and colleagues managed to trace the origins of the virus strain that is circulating in Brazil and found that this strain has little genetic variability when compared to the strain of French Polynesia; after relating the number of travellers arriving in Brazil from French Polynesia with the cases reported and the events happening in that year, the team was able to deduce that the virus arrived in Brazil in 2013 during the Confederation Cup, when Tahiti's team played against other teams in a few Brazilian cities, which attracted many tourists from both places.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
Zika virus usually has very mild, or no symptoms, so it took almost a year for Brazil to confirm the first case of the disease. By then the outbreak was already widespread. Factors associated with the rapid spread of Zika virus in Brazil include the non-immune population, high population density, tropical climate and inadequate control of Aedes mosquitoes in the country. The Zika virus epidemic also revealed structural problems of the health system, in particular in public health services and basic sanitation in Brazil.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
The above average warm temperatures of 2015–2016 caused by a strong El Nino created an environment conducive to the spread of the Zika Virus in Brazil[2010]. The 2015 -16 El Nino increased ocean and ground surface temperatures to above average [2010]. January 2016 brought about nine consecutive months with temperatures 1.04 °C above the global average. It is important to note, however, that while South America had areas experiencing 2.0 °C above average temperatures (for 1981–2010), areas including Argentina, Southern Brazil and Uruguay experienced temperatures 0.5 °C below average.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
Precipitation is another crucial factor to consider as Eastern Brazil and other areas in southern South America experienced high amounts of precipitation in early 2016. The environmental conditions of increased rainfall and higher average temperatures in the South American region, lead to both a longer mosquito season and a higher mosquito density which created an environment in which the Zika carrying Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes can thrive. Looking forward, climate models suggest that regions favorable to the Aedes mosquitoes will grow, widening the range of Zika and other mosquito-carried diseases. The potential for epidemics will spread inland and into other regions of the world, not just in tropical environments.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
Confirmed cases have been reported in 40 countries or territories in South America, North America, and the Caribbean, as well as 16 in the western Pacific and one in Africa since the beginning of 2015 (see table).


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Epidemiology
Many countries with no cases of mosquito transmission have reported travel-related Zika cases: people who moved or came home from a Zika-affected region before they showed symptoms (see table).


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Transmission
Zika is a mosquito-borne disease. The resurgence of Aedes aegypti's worldwide distribution over the past 2–3 decades makes it one of the most widely distributed mosquito species. In 2015, Aedes albopictus was present in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions of the Americas, reaching as far north as the Great Lakes of North America and, internationally, living alongside Aedes aegypti in some tropical and subtropical regions.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Transmission
The Aedes aegypti mosquito usually bites in the morning and afternoon hours, and can be identified by the white stripes on its legs. The mosquito species (Aedes aegypti, mainly, and Aedes albopictus) that can spread Zika virus can also spread dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Transmission
Zika can also be sexually transmitted between partners of both genders. Sexual transmission of Zika has been documented in nine countries—Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, and the United States—during this outbreak.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Transmission
Zika is transmitted from pregnant women to the fetus ("vertical transmission"), and causes microcephaly and other severe brain anomalies in infants born of women infected with the virus.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Diagnosis
Symptoms are similar to other flaviviruses such as dengue fever or the alphavirus that causes chikungunya, but are milder in form and usually last two to seven days. It is estimated that 80% of cases are asymptomatic. The main clinical symptoms in symptomatic patients are low-grade fever, conjunctivitis, transient joint pain (mainly in the smaller joints of the hands and feet) and maculopapular rash that often starts on the face and then spreads throughout the body.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose Zika virus infection based on clinical signs and symptoms alone due to overlaps with other arboviruses that are endemic to similar areas. The methods currently available to test for Zika antibodies cross-react with dengue antibodies. An IgM-positive result in a dengue or Zika ELISA test can only be considered indicative of a recent flavivirus infection. Plaque-reduction neutralization tests (PRINT) can be performed and may be specific. The Zika virus can be identified by RT-PCR in acutely ill patients.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Diagnosis
RT-PCR testing of serum and tissue samples can be used to detect the presence of the Zika virus. However, the RT-PCR test with serum is only helpful while the virus is still in the blood which is generally within the first week of the illness. After this period other methods should be used to determine if the virus is still present in the body.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Diagnosis
A test for IgM antibodies has seen to be effective over longer periods of time, as these antibodies can be present starting 4 days after the beginning of the illness and up to 12 weeks after that. However, it is suggested that a PRINT test be performed following a test for IgM antibodies to help eliminate false positives resulting from other flaviviruses. The PRINT test looks for viral-specific neutralizing antibodies. However, this test can still produce false positive results, for Zika, in individuals who have received immunization for or had previously been exposed to other flaviviruses.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
Several countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica, advised women to postpone getting pregnant until more was known about the risks. Plans were announced by the authorities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to try to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. The health ministry of Peru installed more than 20,000 ovitraps during the 2015 dengue outbreak. The same ovitraps will be used to monitor a potential Zika outbreak in tropical regions of Peru.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
On January 15, 2016, because of the "growing evidence of a link between Zika and microcephaly" the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) issued a travel warning advising pregnant women to consider postponing travel to Brazil as well as the following countries and territories where Zika fever had been reported: Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. On January 20, the Ministry of Health of Chile published a health notice. On January 22, eight more countries and territories were added to the list of those affected: Barbados, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Guyana, Cape Verde, and Samoa.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
On February 1, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were added to the list, bringing the number of countries and territories affected to 28. The agency issued additional guidelines and suggested that women thinking about becoming pregnant consult with their physicians before traveling. Canada issued a similar travel advisory. Questions have been raised about the readability and effectiveness of the press releases issued by the  WHO/PAHO, CDC, and the ministries of health of affected countries with the average readability of a press release by the WHO measured at 17.1 on the Flesch Kincaid grade level readability test.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
On February 5, after the laboratory confirmation of a Zika virus infection in the U.S. in a non-traveler, which was linked to sexual contact with an infected partner, the CDC issued interim guidelines for prevention of sexual transmission of Zika virus for the United States. These guidelines recommend that men who reside in or have traveled to an area of active Zika virus transmission who have a pregnant partner should abstain from sexual activity or consistently and correctly use condoms during sex for the duration of the pregnancy. The guidelines recommend that pregnant women discuss any possible Zika exposure with their male partners. The guidelines recommend that non-pregnant women and their partners consider taking similar measures.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
On February 8, CDC elevated its response efforts to a Level 1 activation, the highest response level at the agency. The CDC then issued a statement on February 23 further encouraging adherence to this guidance after 14 reports of possible sexual transmission of the virus were under investigation. A bill, Zika Authorization Plan Act of 2016 (H.R. 4562), was introduced in the second session of the United States 114th Congress by Representative Curt Clawson (R-FL) on February 12, 2016, aimed at reducing the spread of the virus.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
Paraguay reported its first case of Zika in a pregnant woman on March 11. On March 18, CDC cautioned men who have been infected with Zika from attempting to conceive children due to probability of virus transfer from man to woman during sexual activity which in turn can affect the fetus, under this caution, men are advised not to try conception until six months after the infection.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
Colombia reported its first cases of microcephaly associated to the Zika virus on April 14, 2016. The CDC authorized emergency use of a Zika Virus RNA Qualitative test on April 28 to detect Zika virus in the blood of patients who have symptoms of Zika virus infection and live in or have traveled to an area with ongoing Zika virus transmission. This is the first commercial test to detect Zika virus authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration for emergency use.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
On May 6, Major League Baseball announced that a series of games between the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates scheduled to be played at the end of the month in San Juan, Puerto Rico would be relocated to Marlins Park in Miami, Florida after a number of players on each team voiced concerns regarding the threat of Zika exposure. By mid-August at least 37 people had contracted the virus in neighborhoods near the city of Miami, Florida, though officials estimated that the actual number of infections was much higher due to under-reporting of mild illness. It was determined in June that travelers to Dominican Republic lead New York City in positive Zika tests.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, The Americas
The first-affected area in the continental United States, the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, was declared Zika-free in September, 2016. After the virus stopped circulating in South Beach, all of Florida was declared Zika-free in December, 2016. One case of local transmission was reported in Texas up until September, 2017. As of 2018, Zika remains endemic in Puerto Rico, but the number of cases was reduced from about 8,000 reported per month at the peak in August 2016 to about 10 reported per month in April 2017.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Asia
Following the spread of Zika infection into Southeast Asia in June 2016, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam become the most heavily affected. Singapore has planned to release an army of mosquitoes that contain the Wolbachia bacteria to fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito population. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members have increased information sharing and joint research on the virus. On September 30, Thailand confirmed that two babies has born with microcephaly. Prior to the case, Thailand has allowed abortion for pregnant women that have been affected by birth defects.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Asia
Malaysia is still undecided on the issue, with doctors there letting the mother make the decision whether or not to abort. Rentokil, a Malaysian pest company, has designed an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) program to curb the spread of Aedes mosquito. On October 17, Zika was declared as endemic in Vietnam by the country Health Ministry due to the number of local cases. Vietnam confirmed that one baby has born with microcephaly on October 31. Following the rise of local Zika infection cases in the Philippines, the virus have also been declared as endemic by the country Health Department.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Asia
The government of the republic hosting the “One Philippines against Zika” national summit on October 28 with church in the country has joint fight to curb the spread of the virus by issuing a pastoral guidance to help raise awareness about the mosquito-borne disease among local communities. Taiwan has also seen an increase of infection, most of the cases are believed to be imported from other countries. On October 27, Myanmar reported its first imported case on a pregnant foreign woman.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, International
Governments or health agencies such as those of Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, United States as well the European Union issued travel warnings. The warnings are predicted to have an effect on the tourism industry in affected countries.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, International
To prevent the transmission of the Zika virus, WHO recommends using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothes to cover the body, and using screens and mosquito nets to exclude flying insects from dwellings or sleeping areas. It is also vital to eliminate any standing water near homes to minimize breeding areas for mosquitoes. Authorities can treat larger water containers with recommended larvicides. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that containers holding water near homes either be sealed or scrubbed once per week, because mosquito eggs can stick to them.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, International
On February 1, 2016, WHO declared the cluster of microcephaly cases and other neurological disorders a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, which may reduce the number of visitors to the Rio Olympics in 2016. The designation has been applied in the past to the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the outbreak of polio in Syria in 2013, and the 2009 flu pandemic. South Korea held an emergency meeting in response to the WHO declaration on February 2, 2016.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, International
A second meeting of the WHO-convened emergency committee, held on March 8, 2016, reaffirmed the situation's status as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The committee reported that evidence was increasing for a causal relationship between Zika virus and microcephaly and other neurological conditions, and called for continued research, aggressive mosquito control, and improved surveillance and communication of risks to the public. The report stated that pregnant women should be advised not to travel to affected areas, and should use safe sex practices if their partners lived in or travelled to affected areas throughout their pregnancy. On March 9, 2016, WHO announced that research should prioritise prevention and diagnosis, not treatment, and in particular non-live vaccines suitable for pregnant women and those of childbearing age, novel mosquito control measures, and diagnostic tests that can detect dengue and chikungunya as well as Zika.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
In January 2016, it was announced that, in response to the Zika virus outbreak, Brazil's National Biosafety Committee approved the releases of more genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes throughout their country. Previously, in July 2015, Oxitec had published results of a test in the Juazeiro region of Brazil, of so-called "self-limiting" mosquitoes, to fight dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. They concluded that mosquito populations were reduced by over 90% in the test region.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
Male genetically modified mosquitoes mate with females in the wild and transmit a self-limiting gene that causes the resulting offspring to die before reaching adulthood and thus diminishes the local mosquito population. In January 2016 the technique was being used to try to combat the Zika virus in the town of Piracicaba, São Paulo.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
On February 1, 2016, the WHO declared the current Zika virus outbreak an international public health emergency, and the Brazilian President released a decree that increased local and federal pest control agents' access to private property required by mobilization actions for the prevention and elimination of Aedes mosquito outbreaks in the country.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
Some experts have proposed combatting the spread of the Zika virus by breeding and releasing mosquitoes that have either been genetically modified to prevent them from transmitting pathogens or that have been infected with the Wolbachia bacterium, thought to inhibit the spread of viruses. Another proposed technique consists of using radiation to sterilize male larvae so that when they mate, they produce no progeny. Male mosquitoes do not bite or spread disease.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
In February, the Brazilian federal government mobilized 60% of the country's Armed Forces, or about 220,000 soldiers, to warn and educate the populations of 350 municipalities on how to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
A joint statement on the sharing of data and results on the Zika outbreak in the Americas and future public health emergencies was issued on February 10, 2016, by a group of more than 30 global health bodies. The statement reinforces a similar consensus statement issued by WHO in September 2015. The statement calls for free access to all data as rapidly and widely as possible.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Containment and control, Responses
In February 2016, Google announced that they were donating $1 million via UNICEF to fight the spread of the Zika virus and offering professional personnel to help to determine where it will hit next.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
While there are no known cures for Zika, there have been recent developments in Zika vaccination. Three vaccine designs are showing high confidence levels of protection against the Zika virus. Scientists have conducted tests on the rhesus monkey, and human trials began in late 2016.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
This preventative treatment is promising, but it will take years before it is available for widespread usage.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
British experts are clear that any of the vaccines would take considerable time to develop. Dr Ed Wright, a senior lecturer and virologist at the University of Westminster, said: "All of the vaccines currently under development are many years away from being licensed and available for widespread public use." Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said: "We knew that these vaccines worked in mice and now the researchers have shown that they also protect non-human primates from Zika virus infection." "The next step will be to see if these vaccines are safe and the scientists hope to start early trials in humans to address this."


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
Kineta, a Seattle-based biotech company, is actively working on treatments and has received an undisclosed amount of funding from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, one of the National Institutes of Health, to carry on the research. Kineta CEO Dr Shawn Iadonato said in a statement. "We are eager to expand testing of our broad spectrum antivirals in Zika virus as they have shown compelling efficacy across other flaviviruses such as Dengue and West Nile and have the potential for long-term development."


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
As of July 26, 2016, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. dosed the first subject in its multi-center phase I trial to evaluate Inovio's Zika DNA vaccine (GLS-5700). In addition to the previously announced US FDA approval for the conduct of the study, Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch has also approved this study, which will be conducted at clinical sites in Miami, Philadelphia, and Quebec City. The phase I, open-label, dose-ranging study of 40 healthy adult volunteers is evaluating the safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of GLS-5700 administered with the CELLECTRA®-3P device, Inovio's proprietary intradermal DNA delivery device. In preclinical testing, this synthetic vaccine induced robust antibody and T cell responses – the immune responses necessary to fight viral infections – in small and large animal models.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Prevention and treatment
Direct Relief, an emergency response organization, established a Zika Fund and fulfilled requests for supplies in 14 affected countries.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Challenges to US response
In May 2017, the Government Accountability Office published a report, "Emerging Infectious Diseases: Actions Needed to Address the Challenges of Responding to Zika Virus Disease Outbreak", to correspond with an associated House subcommittee hearing. The GAO said that even though scientific breakthroughs have increased in recent years, the United States remains unprepared to handle a Zika virus outbreak.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Challenges to US response
Timothy Persons, head scientist at the GAO, listed areas of limited research that damage the United States’ ability to effectively respond to a Zika outbreak, including an accurate record of the number of cases in the United States, components associated with transmission from mothers to children (especially regarding pregnancy), risk of transmission through bodily fluid as related to the potential for sexual transmission of the virus, impact of prior exposure to Zika and other arboviruses, and both short-term and long-term outcomes. Recent outbreaks have been connected to an alarming a spike in microcephaly, a birth defect that inhibits the proper development of a baby's brain, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which causes paralysis.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Challenges to US response
Other challenges include the lack of a safe and effective vaccine, a complicated diagnostic process, and faltering support for research funding in the federal government. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said "There aren’t any federally licensed vaccines or specific therapeutics currently available to prevent or treat Zika." Zika is often difficult to distinguish from other illnesses that are spread by mosquitoes, like dengue, West Nile, and chikungunya, among others. President Trump's budget proposal for 2018 proposed stripping $800 billion from Medicaid over ten years. Democratic Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey said that this decision "endangers our ability to manage public health emergencies like Zika."


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
Some efforts to contain the spread of Zika virus have been controversial. Oxitec, the company behind the "self-limiting" mosquitoes, which pass on a fatal gene to their offspring, released in Brazil, has faced criticism from environmental groups, who fear that releasing a new mosquito strain into the wild will damage the ecosystem. In the short term, the concern is that a drop in the mosquito population could affect the populations of other species.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
Supporters claim that the environmental impact of the "self-limiting" mosquitoes will be minimal, since only one species of mosquito is being targeted and the genetically-modified mosquitoes are still safe for predators to eat. Oxitec Product Development Manager Derric Nimmo likened the process to "going in with a scalpel and taking away Aedes aegypti, leaving everything untouched." Since Aedes aegypti is an imported invasive species in Brazil, some experts expect that its eradication will have little impact on the environment. However, other environmentalists emphasize that the long-term consequences of eliminating an entire species cannot be predicted.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
Government recommendations that women delay pregnancy have also proven to be controversial. Human and reproductive rights groups have deemed the recommendations irresponsible and difficult to follow, since women alone are tasked with avoiding pregnancy despite having little control to do so. A 2012 study suggests that 56% of pregnancies in Latin America and the Caribbean are unplanned (compared to an average unplanned pregnancy rate of 40% worldwide). Access to contraceptives might be limited in regions where the Roman Catholic Church is predominant, such as in El Salvador. Anti


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
-abortion laws in much of the region leave women with no recourse once they become pregnant. Aside from three countries where abortion is widely available (French Guiana, Guyana, and Uruguay) and three countries where abortion is allowed in cases of fetal malformation (Colombia, Mexico, and Panama), most of the region only permits abortion in the cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's health. In El Salvador, abortion is illegal under all circumstances.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
On February 5, 2016, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Latin American governments to consider repealing their policies regarding contraception and abortion, emphasizing that "upholding human rights is essential to an effective public health response." On February 16, 2016, the Vatican condemned the UN for its call to action, deeming it "an illegitimate response" to the Zika crisis and emphasizing that "a diagnosis of microcephaly in a child should not warrant a death sentence."


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Controversies
On February 18, 2016, after a trip to Latin America, Pope Francis stated that "avoiding pregnancy is not an absolute evil" in cases such as the Zika virus outbreak. His comments sparked speculation that the use of contraception may be morally permissible in the prevention of the Zika virus.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
The 2015–2016 Zika virus outbreak became an important topic on many social media sites, especially on Twitter. An analysis of Twitter posts on February 2, 2016 showed that 50 tweets per minute were posted about Zika, many of which contained the hashtags #salud, which means health in Spanish as well as #who, which served as a reference to the World Health Organization.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
The epidemic also caused a rise in tweets from college students upset that their spring break trips and study abroad plans had been changed or cancelled due to the virus’ spread.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
Many studies have been conducted on the connections and impact of social media mentions of Zika. One analysis found that the primary topics discussed on Twitter before the peak of the outbreak regarding Zika included Zika's impact, reactions to Zika, pregnancy and microcephaly, transmission routes of Zika, and case reports. During the summer of 2016 when Zika was spreading at a much faster rate, this social media analysis determined that the major topics on Twitter regarding Zika had become concerns about the spread of Zika, criticism of Congress, news about Zika, and scientific information about Zika.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
The same study also found that tweets from reputable institutions and people holding scientific credentials demonstrated the ability of Twitter as a source to spread information quickly on the internet. Another study found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the general public showed similar concerns about Zika. The CDC's posts on Twitter during the outbreak focused on symptoms and education for Zika. However, the public had more of a tendency to focus concern on the consequences of Zika on women and infants, such as microcephaly.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
While there was concern for children on social media, this concern was lacking in countries largely impacted by Zika virus, such as Brazil. In Brazil, struggling mothers of infants with microcephaly caused by Zika have used support systems on social media on the cellphone chat app called Whatsapp or on Facebook pages that can help connect mothers in need of supplies and money to donors.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
The heavy traditional news and social media coverage of the virus spreading did cause concern over lack of reliability. Research has found that between May and June 2016, four out of five social media posts about Zika provided accurate information, but inaccurate posts were much more popular. This led many researchers to worry about the quality of information being spread and shared on social media. Google Trends showed that Zika did not become a trending topic for the media until January 2016.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
A study done found that 81 percent of the most popular posts on Facebook about Zika did contain truthful information, but posts spreading false information were far more popular. Initial media reports on Zika in the United States focused on reassuring viewers and readers that Zika was not a threat in the United States. Studies have found that real-time social media updates are desirable methods for communication during the emergence of infectious diseases. However, misinformation is common and data control in the cyber world has become a growing necessity.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
Many people criticized the lack of governmental response from the U.S. Government in the wake of the crisis. The United States was criticized for a lack of preparedness in terms of an ability to contain a virus outbreak in the United States. The Obama Administration requested an emergency supplemental appropriation of $1.86 billion for both domestic and international response to the crisis. In response to this request, Congress redirected $589 million from funds previously dedicated to Ebola instead of allocating new funds. Another criticism regarding Zika funding had to do with the fact that Congress members still took vacation in July 2016 before allocating any of the funds requested in February 2016.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
In August 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that they had spent $194 million of the initial $222 million allocation to fight Zika virus. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that the NIAID was running out of funds, which would substantially slow down the development of vaccines. Although the government faced criticism for not responding strongly enough to the Zika outbreak, the government eventually provided funding of $1.1 billion for Zika in October 2016.


2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, Scientific communication and concerns
It took congress nearly seven months to agree to this allocation, which left many prevention and education projects without funding for a substantial amount of time. Senate Democrats urged Republicans to approve the full amount of funding more quickly rather than waiting for major transmission of Zika virus to begin in the United States.