 | ||||
| Full name | Plymouth Argyle Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Pilgrims; The Greens | |||
| Founded | 1886; 139 years ago (1886) (asArgyle F.C.) | |||
| Ground | Home Park | |||
| Capacity | 17,000 | |||
| Owner | Simon Hallett | |||
| Chairman | Simon Hallett | |||
| Head coach | Tom Cleverley | |||
| League | EFL League One | |||
| 2024–25 | EFL Championship, 23rd of 24 (relegated) | |||
| Website | pafc.co.uk | |||
 Current season | ||||
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is a professionalassociation football club based in the city ofPlymouth,Devon, England. The team currently competes inEFL League One, the third level of theEnglish football league system. The club has played atHome Park since 1901.
The club takes its nickname,The Pilgrims, from the Pilgrim Fathers,an English religious group, that left Plymouth for theNew World in 1620. The club crest features theMayflower, the ship that carried the pilgrims toMassachusetts. The club has predominantly played in green and white throughout its history, with a few exceptions in the late 1960s and early 1970s when white was the colour of choice. A darker shade of green, described (by some) asArgyle green, was adopted in the 2001–02 season, and has been used ever since.[1] The club has yet to compete in thePremier League or theFootball League First Division that preceded it, the city of Plymouth being the largest in England to have never hosted a top-flight men's football team. Plymouth Argyle is the most southerly and westerly League club in England and the nation's only professional club named Argyle.
Originally founded simply asArgyle in 1886, the club turned professional and entered both theSouthern League andWestern League asPlymouth Argyle in 1903. The team won the Western League title in 1904–05 and the Southern League title in 1912–13, before winning election into theFootball League Third Division in 1920. Finishing as runners-up on six consecutive occasions, Argyle eventually won promotion asThird Division South champions under the long-serving management ofBob Jack in 1929–30. A 20-year stay in theSecond Division ended in 1950, though the club returned again as Third Division South champions in 1951–52. After another relegation in 1956 Argyle again proved too strong for the third tier, winning the Third Division title not long after in 1958–59.
Argyle were relegated from theSecond Division in 1968, 1977 and 1992, having won promotion out of the Third Division as runners-up in 1974–75 and 1985–86. The club was relegated to the fourth tier for the first time in 1995, and though it would win immediate promotion in 1995–96, was relegated again in 1998. Promoted as champions underPaul Sturrock with 102 points in 2001–02, Argyle secured a record fourth third-tier league title in 2003–04, and would remain in theChampionship for six seasons until administration and two successive relegations left the club inLeague Two by 2011. In 2016–17, Argyle won promotion toLeague One, and again in 2019–20 following relegation the previous season. In the 2022–23 season, Argyle returned to the Championship as champions, winning the third-tier league title for a record fifth time.[2]
The club was founded in 1886 as Argyle Football Club, the first match taking place on 16 October 1886 against Caxton, a team fromCornwall and in which the Pilgrims lost 2–0. Later that week Argyle won for the first time, beating Dunheved College (now Launceston College) inLaunceston (where many of the club's first members had been educated) 2–1.[3] The club played several friendlies againstPlymouth United, but poor performances on the pitch led to it going out of existence in 1894 before being resurrected in 1897 as one part of a general sports club, theArgyle Athletic Club.[4] In 1898, Argyle F.C. produced its first rulebook. The club's ground was given as Marsh Mills, an area on the edge of the city of Plymouth.[5]
Much speculation surrounds the origin of the nameArgyle. One explanation is that the club was named after theArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders, an army regiment with a strong football side of its own.[6] Another theory is given by the local geography–suggesting the name comes either from the nearbypublic house,The Argyle Tavern, where the founder members may have met, or from a local streetArgyle Terrace.[7] The club adopted its current name when it became fully professional in 1903, joining theSouthern League, under the management ofBob Jack. Argyle's first professional game was on 1 September 1903[8] againstWest Ham United resulting in a 2–0 win for Argyle. The first home game as a fully professional club was on 5 September 1903 when Argyle beatNorthampton Town 2–0 in front of a crowd of 4,438. Argyle won theSouthern League in 1913,[9] then in 1920 entered theFootball League Third Division as a founder member, finishing 11th in its first season.
In the summer of 1924, a Plymouth Argyle team visited South America to play some exhibition football inArgentina andUruguay.[10][11] Argyle thrashedUruguay 4–0 in the first game (the team which went on to win thefirst ever World Cup just six years later), before pulling off another shock by beatingArgentina 1–0.[12] Argyle then held Argentine giantsBoca Juniors to a creditable 1–1 draw.Moses Russell captained the side and played in all nine matches. Russell's style of play caught the attention of the Argentine press; at the end of the tour 'The Standard ofBuenos Aires' commented: "The visit of Plymouth Argyle will be best remembered by the outstanding personality and genius of Moses Russell. His effective style, precise judgement, accurate and timely clearances, powerful kicking and no less useful work with his head...one of the most wonderful backs and one of the brainiest players ever seen on the football field."[13]
In the match against Boca Juniors on 9 July 1924, the Boca Juniors supporters invaded the pitch after their team had scored the opening goal and carried all eleven home players shoulder high around the stadium. After a half-hour delay, the referee restarted the match, but a further invasion was sparked when the referee awarded a penalty against the home side. When the match was again restarted, the Argyle players had agreed thatPatsy Corcoran would take the spot-kick and miss, to prevent anotherpitch invasion. However, the ultra-competitive Russell was not prepared to accept this, and just before Corcoran was about to take the penalty he was pushed aside by Russell, who took it himself and scored. This prompted a further pitch invasion by the Boca fans and this time the match was abandoned.[14]
Back in England, uniquely, between 1921–22 and 1926–27, Argyle finished second in theThird Division South six seasons in a row, thereby missing promotion. Argyle eventually won promotion to Football League Division Two in 1929–30, when the club topped the Third Division South, with attendances that season regularly reaching 20,000. Manager Bob Jack resigned in 1937, having spent 27 years in charge of the Pilgrims. Eleven years earlier in 1928,David Jack, who began his career with Argyle in 1919 but left in 1920, joinedArsenal F.C. fromBolton Wanderers for a fee of £10,890 – which made him the most expensive player in the world at the time.[15] He was also the first player to score atWembley Stadium.[16]
After theSecond World War, Argyle's 20-year stay in Division Two came to an end in 1950–despite the efforts of inspirational captainJack Chisholm. However, the club was back in Division Two before long, after winning the Third Division South in 1952. The closest the club has ever come to playing in theFootball League First Division (top tier) was in1952–53, when reaching fourth place in theFootball League Second Division, the highest finish to date. In the1954–1955 seasonfloodlights arrived at Home Park, but in 1956 Argyle went down again. The Pilgrims' reputation as a 'yo-yo club' continued after winning Division Three–by now a national league–in 1959.
The 1960s started with one of the most bizarre events in Argyle's history. It came in the spring of 1963, when the club went on a mini-tour ofPoland—the Pilgrims were invited to play a game as a warm-up to an international cycle race. Amazingly, 100,000 saw Argyle that day—the biggest crowd ever to attend a Plymouth match.[17] In 1965 Argyle reached theFootball League Cup semi-final, as a 2nd division team, for the first time in its history, but lost to Leicester City. But the decade ended disappointingly as Argyle returned to Division Three after relegation in 1968.
In March 1973 a memorable moment in Argyle's history was witnessed by 37,639 people atHome Park. Argyle played a friendly match against Brazilian giantsSantos FC, who at the time were one of the best teams in the world. That day Santos also had arguably the best footballer of all time in their starting line-up –Pelé. However, Argyle, then a Third Division side, shocked the world with a 3–2 win. The Greens were actually 3–0 up at one stage (thanks to goals from Mike Dowling,Derek Rickard andJimmy Hinch) but apenalty scored at the Barn Park End by Pelé helped a Santos fightback. However, in the end Santos came up short and were defeated. There was a huge pitch invasion at the final whistle after a win for The Pilgrims.[18]
In 1974 – with future England striker and Argyle managerPaul Mariner now playing for the team – Argyle again reached the League Cup semi-final, this time as a Third Division side. Argyle drew the first leg at home againstManchester City 1–1, but lost theMaine Road encounter 2–0. After spending six years in Division Three, Argyle finally returned to Division Two in 1974–75, under the management ofTony Waiters.[19][20] This was mainly thanks to strike partnersPaul Mariner andBilly Rafferty, who scored a very impressive 46 goals between them. However, the club was back down again in 1977. Although the decade did end on a high note–in 1978–79Kevin Hodges made his Argyle debut, and he went on to play 620 games for the club–more than any other player.
In 1984 Plymouth reached theFA Cup semi-final despite being in the Third Division.[21] After a successful cup run in which Argyle beatWest Bromwich Albion away, a top division team at the time (1–0 courtesy of aTommy Tynan goal after 58 minutes), andDerby County (the first game at Home Park ended 0–0, but Argyle won the replay 0–1 at theBaseball Ground), they lost 1–0 toWatford in the semi-final atVilla Park courtesy of aGeorge Reilly goal. However, managerJohn Hore was sacked during the following campaign and was replaced byDave Smith.[22] In 1985–86, Smith's first full season in charge, Argyle finished as runners-up in Division Three, resulting in promotion. The following season, despite being a newly promoted team, Argyle finished a respectable 7th place in Division Two, thereby narrowly missing the division's new play-off zone and the chance to move to the First Division (now the Premier League). In 1988 Smith surprisingly left to take charge ofDundee, making way forKen Brown to become manager.[23]
In the 1990s a new face took over the club: BusinessmanDan McCauley became chairman, and his first major decision was to sack Dave Kemp and appoint England's record cap holderPeter Shilton as player-manager in the 1991–92 season.[24] But Shilton was unable to prevent relegation as Argyle finished 22nd in Division Two. Ahead of the 1992–93 season, English football had a revamp. The First Division (top tier) became the Premiership, Division Two (second tier) became Division One, Division Three (third tier) was now Division Two and so on. As a result, Argyle was still in Division Two, but it was now the third tier instead of the second.[25]
In 1992–93 Argyle finished in mid-table in the third tier, but Peter Shilton's side finished third the following campaign (as a result of playing some excellent football), thereby qualifying for the play-offs. But Argyle lost in the semi-final againstBurnley, which saw the start of a fierce rivalry between the two clubs. The Pilgrims suffered even more disappointment in 1994–95 as Shilton parted company with the club, which was eventually relegated to Division Three (fourth tier) for the first time in its history.[26] PlayerSteve McCall became the club's manager on a short-term deal after Shilton's departure, but at the end of the season his contract was not renewed andNeil Warnock stepped in as his successor.[27][28]At the end of the1995–96 season, Warnock took Plymouth to Division Three play-off glory in his first campaign as manager. The semi-final was a memorable affair. Argyle playedColchester United and although 1–0 down from the 1st leg, won 3–1 at Home Park in the 2nd, meaning that the Pilgrims were going toWembley for the first time in their history.[29][30] Argyle beat Darlington 1–0 in the play-off final to gain third-tier football once more.
But Warnock was sacked within a year as the club narrowly avoided being relegated back to the fourth tier.[31]Mick Jones became his successor, and, that season, in February 1997 Argyle participated in 'The Battle ofSaltergate' – in a 1–2 win atChesterfield. The following season Argyle went down under Jones, and his successorKevin Hodges (the club's record appearance holder) lasted three years before a failure to attain promotion (or even a play-off place) cost him his job. At this point Argyle was in danger of insolvency, and it was the lowest point in its history.
The appointment ofPaul Sturrock as manager in November 2000 marked a turning point in Argyle's history. He saved the club from relegation out of the Football League (the club was fourth from bottom of the league when he became manager), and finished 12th in his first season. The following campaign proved to be the most successful in the club's history. Argyle defeatedCheltenham Town 2–0 in the final game of the season to achieve a club and league record of 102 points and clinch the Division Three title.
Argyle was one of the favourites to win the Division Two title going into the 2003–04 season, and proved everyone right as the club earned its second promotion in three years. In March 2004Bobby Williamson was appointed manager. Argyle's first game in the newly re-branded 'Championship' (second tier) saw them draw 0–0 at home toMillwall, who wereFA Cup finalists the season before. Argyle's strong start continued, and the club briefly reached the top of the table – its highest ever position – after a 0–1 win atCardiff City, before plummeting down the table and finishing 17th. The 2005–06 season included some memorable results for the Green Army including the 2–0 win against high-flyingWolverhampton Wanderers and a 0–0 draw at Leeds United, who went on to reach the play-off final at theMillennium Stadium before losing 3–0 toWatford. The Pilgrims finished 14th that season, in the end well clear of the relegation zone.
In summer 2006, in one of Ian Holloway's first games in charge of the club, Argyle played a pre-season friendly againstReal Madrid in Austria, as both clubs were training in the country at the time. Holloway's first competitive game in charge was a 1–1 draw at home toWolves. The team made significantly better progress than in recent seasons in the FA Cup, reaching the quarter-finals. They beat League TwoPeterborough United. They beat Championship league leadersDerby County 2–0 in the next, but in the quarter finals, faced Premier League strugglers Watford at home and lost. Argyle finished the 2006–07 in 11th place, the highest league finish for 20 years.[32]
Before the start of the 2007–08 season, managerIan Holloway said that Plymouth was capable of earning promotion to the Premier League for the first time in its history, and the team made a good start to the new season with a 2–3 win atHull City.[33] The club's good start continued as they stayed near the play-off places for the first few months. However, on 21 November 2007 Ian Holloway controversially resigned to take charge ofLeicester City.[34][33]
The club finished 2008 in 15th place–now 8 points adrift of the play-offs. On 3 January 2009, Argyle travelled to the recently builtEmirates Stadium to play againstPremier League giantsArsenal in the FA Cup third round.[35] StrikerRobin Van Persie scored his second of the game five minutes from time to give Arsenal a 3–1 win.[36] The club finished 21st in the league table, five points and one place clear of the relegation places–Argyle's first season which didn't improve its league position for eight years.[37]
Paul Sturrock's second stint in charge came to an end on 10 December 2009, when a press conference confirmed he was relieved of his managerial duties due to two years of poor results and fan unrest.[38] However, Mariner lost his first two games–his first fixture resulted in a 2–0 loss atPreston North End and then Argyle was defeated 1–0 at home to Coventry, leaving the Pilgrims bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety. Argyle ended the season as the second lowest-scoring team in the division.[39] The club's six-year stay in the second tier of the Football League was over. On 20 November, following a 1–2 home defeat toBrentford, newly relegated Argyle was 20th in League One, just one place and three points above the relegation zone.
On 23 November, Argyle came from 0–1 down to beat fellow strugglersDagenham & Redbridge 2–1 at Home Park, lifting them up to 15th. However, just 4,960 were present at the game. That was Argyle's lowest league attendance since playing in the bottom tier.[40] Not long after, the Pilgrims were presented with a winding-up order by HMRC and appeared in court on 8 December, only to earn a 63-day adjournment so they could pay the taxes they owed. Relegation was later confirmed on 2 May, following a 3–1 home defeat againstSouthampton.[41]
James Brent's Akkeron Group agreed to a deal with the Administrators to buy the club withPeter Ridsdale also confirming that he would leave the club when the deal had been completed.[42][43] Further problems occurred with the Administrators threatening to quit the club.[44] Argyle agreed to a deal to sellHome Park back toPlymouth council on 14 October for £1.6m and had to pay £135,000 a year in rent.[45] The team's form greatly improved after the takeover, and while the eventual League finish of 21st was the lowest in the club's history, the club still secured survival with three games to spare, which was quite an achievement considering it had been well adrift at the bottom for the first half of the campaign. In the following season, the club was again narrowly saved from relegation, and finished 21st for a consecutive season. Sheridan then agreed a three-year contract to continue as Argyle manager, and in his first full season in charge, the club finished 10th. Argyle had a far stronger start to its fourth consecutive season in League 2, winning 4 games consecutively for the first time since 2008.
The team had the chance to go up as champions. But the title was handed toPortsmouth via goal difference.[46] The Pilgrims got off to an appalling start to theirLeague One campaign, gaining only 5 points in their first 11 games and sitting rock bottom, already 4 points from safety after only 11 games. And a 2–1 defeat at home toFleetwood added to Argyle's woes, extending the winless run to 10 games and earning just 2 points from a possible 30 in that time. Some fans disputed the board sackingDerek Adams even after taking them up in the previous season, due to poor tactics and game management. From December 2017, through 2018 saw Argyle record 16 wins, 6 draws and only 5 losses to escape relegation and finish 7th, only missing out on a play-off spot by 3 points.
In August 2018, Hallett became the majority shareholder of the club, with James Brent reducing his stake, as well as stepping down as chairman.[47] Hallett had originally appointedDavid Felwick CBE as Argyle's chairman-elect, but he cited "personal reasons" for being unable to takeover, so Hallett took over as chairman on 1 November 2018.[48][49] At the end of the2018–19 season, Argyle was relegated toLeague Two.[50]
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Ahead of the2019–20 season, Hallett appointedRyan Lowe asDerek Adams's successor, signing the then 40-year-old Liverpudlian and his assistant managerSteven Schumacher fromBury.[51][52] The change in management was a success as that season, Argyle finished in third place, gaining promotion back toLeague One.[53] Albeit, the next season the team struggled to find their footing in the third tier, and finished 18th on 53 points. The following season was an improvement, and in December 2021Ryan Lowe was replaced by his assistant,Steven Schumacher leading the club into 7th place for the2021–22 season.[54][55]
Argyle enjoyed its best season since2008 in2022–23, with the new Mayflower stand fully built, the capacity ofHome Park rose to 17,900, and the club regularly saw 16,000 fans turning up to support the team.[56][57][58] The club won theEFL League One title, clinching it in an away win atPort Vale, and finishing the season on 101 points.[59][60] In their first season back in the second tier in thirteen years, Plymouth finished in 21st position, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.[61]
In the2024–25 season, Plymouth, who were sitting at the bottom of the league table, defeated Premier League leadersLiverpool 1–0 at Home Park in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a goal from Ryan Hardie, having previously defeated Premier League Brentford in the third round at theGtech Community Stadium.They then went on to lose 3-1 at Manchester City in the 5th round despite taking a shock 1-0 lead. 8,000 Argyle fans made the trip.[62][63]
The club's current sportswear manufacturer isPuma.[64][65] The club's main sponsor is currently Beacon Electrical. (https://www.pafc.co.uk/club/club-partners/beacon-electrical) Shirt sponsorship was first introduced by the club in 1983.[66][67] Beacon Electrical was the first company to have its name on the shirt of Plymouth Argyle, but it lasted just one season. Ivor Jones Insurance was the next sponsor and their agreement with the club lasted for two seasons.National & Provincial (now merged withAbbey National) were sponsors for the 1986–87 season before the club signed an agreement with theSunday Independent which would last for five seasons. Rotolok Holdings plc became the club's major sponsor in 1992, which was owned by then Pilgrims chairmanDan McCauley. This lasted for six seasons before the club linked up with local newspaper theEvening Herald. Between 2002 and 2011 the club was sponsored by Cornishpasty-makersGinsters.[68]
In 2011 with the club still in administration, local timber merchant WH Bond Timber sponsored Argyle's kits at first for the2011–12 season and until the end of the2013–14 season. Local construction access company LTC Group87 then sponsored Argyle from the start of the2014–15 season, having their LTC Powered Access branch's logo on the shirts. Cornwall-based companyGinsters then came back for a second spell as main sponsor in the2016–17 season.[69]
| Period | Brand | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1975–1976 | Umbro | None |
| 1976–1978 | Pilgrim | |
| 1978–1980 | Bukta | |
| 1980–1982 | Adidas | |
| 1982–1983 | Pilgrim | |
| 1983–1984 | Beacon Electrical | |
| 1984–1986 | Ivor Jones Insurance | |
| 1986–1987 | National & Provincial | |
| 1987–1990 | Umbro | Sunday Independent |
| 1990–1992 | Ribero | |
| 1992–1996 | Admiral | Rotolok |
| 1996–1998 | Super League | |
| 1998–1999 | Errea | Evening Herald |
| 1999–2002 | Patrick | |
| 2002–2003 | Ginsters | |
| 2003–2005 | TFG | |
| 2005–2009 | Puma | |
| 2009–2011 | Adidas | |
| 2011–2014 | Puma | WH Bond Timber |
| 2014–2016 | LTC Powered Access | |
| 2016–2022 | Ginsters | |
| 2022–2023 | Project 35[70] | |
| 2023–2024 | WH Bond Timber[71] | |
| 2024–2025 | Classic Builders(SW)[72] | |
| 2025–Present | Beacon Electrical[73] |
The original ground of the professional club atHome Park was destroyed by German bombers duringthe Blitz on Plymouth inWorld War II.[74] Having been rebuilt after the war, Home Park was largely demolished as part of an extensive process of renovation, and the first phase of a new stadium built by Barrs plc was completed in May 2002. The new Devonport End was opened for the 2001Boxing Day fixture withTorquay United. The other end, the Barn Park End, opened on the same day. The Lyndhurst stand reopened on 26 January 2002 for the game againstOxford United. Plans are currently under discussion regarding the completion of the refurbishment of the ground with the replacement of the Mayflower stand. The ground is situated in Central Park, very near to the residential area of Peverell.[75][76] Towards the end of the2005–06 Championship season, the club decided to buy the stadium for £2.7 million from Plymouth City Council, releasing the ground from a 125-year lease. This purchase was concluded in December 2006.
In the summer of 2007, the club, having failed to persuade the UK authorities[77] of the case for retaining a standing terrace, decided to add 3,500 temporary seats to the Mayflower enclosure,[78] dropping the capacity to 19,888 from 20,922. In December 2009 it was announced that the stadium was to be one of 12 chosen to host matches during the World Cup 2018, should England's bid be successful.[79] The then Argyle chairmanPaul Stapleton stated that work on a new South Stand at Home Park would start in 2010. However, England failed to be chosen for the 2018 tournament, and Plymouth Argyle entered administration in March 2011. After selling the stadium back to the council on 14 October 2011 for £1.6 million,[80] this project was in serious doubt.[81]
The club was then taken over by local business owner James Brent,[82] who submitted fresh plans to build a new Mayflower Grandstand with a 5,000seating capacity, and an associated leisure complex.[83][84] The plans include an ice rink with 1,500 spectator seats, a 10 screen cinema complex with an iMax screen, a 120 bedroom hotel and 4,200m sq retail units. Planning permission for the project was granted on 15 August 2013. The development was due to commence in September 2013, with the demolition of the old stand planned for late October 2013 after the Portsmouth home match. As of June 2015, the plans have been withdrawn, though planning permission still remains.
The family section of the stadium was moved from block 1 of the Devonport End to the 'Zoo corner' between the Lyndhurst Stand and the Barn Park End, with a kids activities zone in the concourse.[85] In January 2017, director Simon Hallett invested £5,000,000 into the club, along with all other directors exchanging previous loans into equity, with the intention on using the money for renovating the Mayflower Grandstand.[86] No immediate timeframe was put on the renovations, but chairman James Brent indicated work is planned to start in 2018, finishing in 2020 ahead of the Plymouth 2020 Mayflower celebrations.[87]
Later that month, temporary seating was once again put in place on the Grandstand, this time as a one-off for anFA Cup 3rd round replay vsLiverpool.[88] The seating was kept in place for the next home match, aLeague 2 game vs Devon rivalsExeter City, but tickets were not on sale to the general public. Shortly after this game, the seating was removed.[89] In 2021 the redevelopment of the Mayflower stand was completed, expanding the ground's capacity to 17,900 and making it an all seater stadium.[90]
Plymouth Argyle fans are known collectively as the Green Army. The No.12 shirt has been reserved for the Green Army as the 12th man for many seasons.
Argyle fans are often referred to as "Janners", the unofficial nickname used to describe residents ofPlymouth.[91][92] The 1940s saw the club attract the highest average attendances, with the largest ever being recorded in the1946–47 season, when an average of 23,290 fans watched each game. Attendances remained fairly strong until the start of the 1980s, when, in the1984–85, an average of just 537 attended each game, the lowest in the club's entire history. Albeit, the decline in attendances was notable throughout the entirety ofEnglish football during this period as they were some of the foremost decades ofFootball hooliganism.[93][94]
During this period, a hooligan firm named The Central Element emerged as a gang in the mid-1980s.[95] It was set up by a group of 16-to-18-year-old friends from Plymouth who used to frequent pubs in Stonehouse and the city centre. The name was decided by founding members and makes reference toCentral Park, where many encounters with rival firms took place. At the time, there was already an established hooligan element attached to Argyle, older men who later became known as the A38s. TCE had an all-male membership, aged 15 to 45, who followed Argyle home and away. Many held season tickets, but their interests were more about what happened off the pitch than on it. The group attempted to gain a reputation amongst larger firms whose teams were much, much higher up the football violence league, includingMillwall's Bushwackers,Cardiff's Soul Crew andWest Ham United'sInter City Firm.[96]
Today, the club's main base of supporters are those from the city of Plymouth but also from Cornwall to the west, and Devon (of which Plymouth is a historical part). The "Devonport End" is where the most vocal supporters watch the game.
Since the2021–22 season, The Janner Song has been played before every home game.[97] A survey conducted byFootball Fans Census in 2003 confirmed that Plymouth Argyle supporters consider their main rival to beExeter City.[98][99] The two clubs first met in a competitive fixture in 1908 when in theSouthern League[100] The club's traditional rivals are fellow Devon sidesExeter City andTorquay United; other less intense rivalries exist withSwindon Town,Portsmouth,Millwall,Bristol City andBristol Rovers.[101][102]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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¹apprenticeship extended after suffering a serious injury as a second-year
Through the 1960s and 70s, Argyle's Reserve team played in thePlymouth & Devon Combination League, with their home games at Cottage Field, next toHome Park. Argyle later entered intoThe Football Combination, before withdrawing from the Combination in mid-season in 1981–82, for financial reasons. In 1982 the side entered theWestern Football League, leaving at the end of the 1992–93 season.
The club had also entered a team in theSouth Western League, but withdrew from that competition after one season in 2007. The club's reserve team, up to the end of the 2010–11 season, played inThe Football Combination, and confirmed their withdrawal from it on 27 June 2011, alongside 18 otherFootball League clubs.[109]
The reserves' honours include theSouthern League Championship in 1922, 1926, 1929, 1934 andits League Cup in 1933, 1934 and 1936; 1934 was the first Southern LeagueDouble.[110]
For the 2015–16 season, Argyle entered a team into theSouth West Peninsula League Division One West, with home matches originally planned to be played atBickleigh Barracks, before a change of plan saw them played at Seale-Hayne, dubbed 'Hodges Park' after club legendKevin Hodges, outsideNewton Abbot.[111][112] After applying for promotion and finishing 2nd behind Mousehole, the reserves side were promoted to the Premier Division for the2016–17 season. The team again moved grounds, playing their games at the home of theDevon FA, Coach Road, inNewton Abbot[113] and finished 6th in 2016–17.
In April 2019 it was announced that Argyle Reserves were pulling out of theSouth West Peninsula League at the end of the season. A new development team, run by the Argyle Community Trust would enter the newDevon Football League for the 2019–20 season.[114]
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For details on former players who have a Wikipedia article, see:Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players.
For the centenary celebrations, an all-time best team of Plymouth Argyle players was chosen by fans of the club.[121]
| 1 | GK |  ENG | Jim Furnell |
| 2 | DF | ENG | Gordon Nisbet |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Jack Chisholm |
| 4 | DF |  IRL | Graham Coughlan |
| 5 | DF | ENG | Colin Sullivan |
| 6 | MF | ENG | Kevin Hodges |
| 7 | MF | ENG | Johnny Williams |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Garry Nelson |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Tommy Tynan |
| 10 | FW | ENG | Paul Mariner |
| 11 | MF |  SCO | Sammy Black |
Manager:Paul Sturrock
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Simon Hallett[122] |
| Director | Paul Berne |
| Director | Jane Chafer |
| Director | Richard Holliday |
| Director |  John Morgan |
| Director |  Nick Giannotti |
In 2019, Simon Hallett raised his stake in the club to 97%, with Richard Holliday holding the remaining minority.[124] In August 2022, an American investment group named Argyle Green, LLC purchased 20% of the club, and appointed Michael Mincberg to the board of directors. Among this consortium wereNHL playersOndřej Palát andVictor Hedman, andNBA ExecutiveJon Horst.[125][126]
Senior Management Team
| Position[127] | Name |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Paul Berne |
| Head of Football Operations | David Fox[127] |
| Club Secretary / Head of Human Resources | Zac Newton |
| Head of Venue, Conferencing & Events | Christian Kent |
| Head of Marketing & Communications | Jamie Yabsley |
| Head of Finance | Fred Lucken |
| Position[128] | Name |
|---|---|
| Director of Football | Derek Adams |
| Head Coach | Tom Cleverley |
| Assistant Head Coach | Damon Lathrope |
| First-Team Coach | Matt Bevans |
| First-Team Coach & Head of Player Development | Kevin Nancekivell |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Mike Stowell |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Chris Douglas |
| Head of Recruitment | Tom Randle |
| Head of Physiotherapy | Gareth Law |
| Head of Sports Science | Connor Derbidge |
| First-Team Physiotherapist | Alex Kay |
| Lead Performance Analyst | Harry Powell |
| Head of Football Data | Matt Girdler |
| Assistant Head of Football Data | Joe Martin |
| First-Team Analyst | Charlie Nichols |
| Assistant Club Secretary & Player Liaison Officer | Ellen Shine[127] |
| Club Doctor |  Peter Pollak[129] |
| Scout | Charlie Allen[130] |
Source:[131]
Frank BrettellBob JackWilliam Fullarton
CommitteeBob JackJack TresadernJimmy RaeJack RowleyNeil DougallEllis StuttardAndy BeattieMalcolm AllisonDerek Ufton
Billy BinghamEllis StuttardTony WaitersMike KellyMalcolm AllisonBobby SaxtonBobby MoncurJohnny HoreDave SmithKen BrownDavid KempPeter ShiltonSteve McCallNeil WarnockMick JonesKevin HodgesPaul SturrockBobby WilliamsonTony PulisIan HollowayPaul SturrockPaul MarinerPeter ReidCarl FletcherJohn SheridanDerek AdamsRyan LoweSteven SchumacherIan FosterWayne RooneyMiron MuslicTom Cleverley[132]| Rank | Player | Career | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Hodges | 1978–1992 | 620 | 87 |
| 2 | Sammy Black | 1924–1938 | 491 | 184 |
| 3 | Paul Wotton | 1995–2008 2012–2015 | 491 | 66 |
| 4 | Fred Craig | 1912–1915 1919–1930 | 467 | 5 |
| 5 | Johnny Williams | 1955–1966 | 448 | 55 |
| 6 | Johnny Hore | 1965–1975 | 441 | 17 |
| 7 | Pat Jones | 1947–1958 | 441 | 2 |
| 8 | Michael Evans | 1990–1997 2001–2006 | 432 | 81 |
| 9 | Jack Leslie | 1921–1934 | 401 | 136 |
| 10 | Moses Russell | 1914–1915 1919–1930 | 400 | 6 |
| Rank | Player | Career | Goals | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sammy Black | 1924–1938 | 184 | 491 |
| 2 | Wilf Carter | 1957–1964 | 148 | 275 |
| 3 | Tommy Tynan | 1983–1985 1986–1990 | 145 | 310 |
| 4 | Jack Leslie | 1921–1934 | 136 | 401 |
| 5 | Maurice Tadman | 1947–1955 | 112 | 253 |
| 6 | Jack Vidler | 1929–1939 | 103 | 256 |
| 7 | Freddie Burch | 1906–1915 | 92 | 239 |
| 8 | Kevin Hodges | 1978–1992 | 87 | 620 |
| 9 | Ray Bowden | 1927–1933 | 85 | 153 |
| 10 | Mickey Evans | 1990–1997 2001–2006 | 81 | 432 |
Source:[115]
League
Cup
| The club | |
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| International | |
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