| 2001–02 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Paul Stapleton | |
| Manager | Paul Sturrock | |
| Stadium | Home Park | |
| Third Division | 1st | |
| FA Cup | Second round | |
| League Cup | First round | |
| League Trophy | First round | |
| Top goalscorer | League:Graham Coughlan (11) All:Graham Coughlan/David Friio (11) | |
| Highest home attendance | 18,517 (vsCheltenham Town, 20 April) | |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,850 (vsSwansea City, 11 September) | |
The2001–02 season was the 107th season in the history ofPlymouth Argyle Football Club, their 77th in theFootball League, and 5th in the fourth tier of theEnglish football league system. Their 12th-place finish in the 2000–01 season meant it was their fourth successive season playing in theThird Division.
The club began the 2001–02 season in theFootball League Third Division, following a disappointing 12th-place finish the previous year.[1] There were signs of change at the club and they finished the season as champions, breaking numerous club records in the process, including a record haul of 102 points.[2] They achieved 31 wins, 9 draws, and 6 defeats, from 46 games. Their leading goalscorer wasGraham Coughlan with 11 goals in all competitions – an outstanding achievement for acentre-back. The club reached the second round of theFA Cup, drawing 1–1 at home withBristol Rovers before losing the replay 3–2. They entered theLeague Cup in the first round and were eliminated away toWatford 1–0. They also competed in theFootball League Trophy, where they bowed out in the first round after a 2–1 defeat away toCheltenham Town. Notable players to begin their careers with the Pilgrims this season included Coughlan,Marino Keith, andJason Bent.
Legend Win Draw Loss
| 11 August 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 0–1 | Shrewsbury Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 5,087 Referee: C Penton |
| 18 August 2001 | Hull City | 0–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Boothferry Park,Hull |
| Report | Attendance: 10,755 Referee: G Cain |
| 25 August 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–2 | Rochdale | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 4,198 Referee: R Harris |
| 27 August 2001 | Rushden & Diamonds | 2–3 | Plymouth Argyle | Nene Park,Irthlingborough |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,414 Referee: G Hegley |
| 8 September 2001 | Torquay United | 0–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Plainmoor,Torquay |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,217 Referee: M Brandwood |
| 11 September 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–1 | Swansea City | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 3,850 Referee: P Prosser |
| 15 September 2001 | Kidderminster Harriers | 0–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Aggborough,Kidderminster |
| Report | Attendance: 2,801 Referee: S Baines |
| 18 September 2001 | Exeter City | 2–3 | Plymouth Argyle | St James Park,Exeter |
| Report |
| Attendance: 5,756 Referee: D Gallagher |
| 22 September 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–0 | Macclesfield Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 4,227 Referee: J Ross |
| 25 September 2001 | York City | 0–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Bootham Crescent,York |
| Report | Attendance: 2,282 Referee: M Cowburn |
| 29 September 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–1 | Luton Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 5,782 Referee: A Hall |
| 6 October 2001 | Oxford United | 1–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Kassam Stadium,Oxford |
| Report |
| Attendance: 6,017 Referee: P Alcock |
| 13 October 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–0 | Halifax Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 5,065 Referee: M Warren |
| 20 October 2001 | Mansfield Town | 0–3 | Plymouth Argyle | Field Mill,Mansfield |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,621 Referee: G Frankland |
| 23 October 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–0 | Lincoln City | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 6,572 Referee: M Fletcher |
| 28 October 2001 | Bristol Rovers | 1–2 | Plymouth Argyle | Memorial Ground,Bristol |
| Report | Attendance: 6,889 Referee: M Halsey |
| 3 November 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Hartlepool United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 5,723 Referee: B Jordan |
| 9 November 2001 | Cheltenham Town | 0–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Whaddon Road,Cheltenham |
| Report | Attendance: 5,035 Referee: B Curson |
| 20 November 2001 | Southend United | 0–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Roots Hall,Southend |
| Report |
| Attendance: 3,716 Referee: P Taylor |
| 24 November 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–0 | Carlisle United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 5,870 Referee: R Harris |
| 1 December 2001 | Leyton Orient | 0–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Brisbane Road,Leyton |
| Report | Attendance: 6,342 Referee: S Dunn |
| 15 December 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Darlington | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 5,041 Referee: M Cooper |
| 22 December 2001 | Scunthorpe United | 2–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Glanford Park,Scunthorpe |
| Report |
| Attendance: 3,602 Referee: G Laws |
| 26 December 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–2 | Torquay United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 13,677 Referee: P Rejer |
| 29 December 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Rushden & Diamonds | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 9,503 Referee: L Cable |
| 12 January 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Hull City | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 9,134 Referee: C Wilkes |
| 19 January 2002 | Shrewsbury Town | 3–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Gay Meadow,Shrewsbury |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,796 Referee: D Pugh |
| 22 January 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–1 | Scunthorpe United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 5,804 Referee: M Fletcher |
| 26 January 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 4–2 | Oxford United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 8,239 Referee: B Curson |
| 2 February 2002 | Luton Town | 2–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Kenilworth Road,Luton |
| Report | Attendance: 9,585 Referee: P Joslin |
| 5 February 2002 | Swansea City | 0–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Vetch Field,Swansea |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,060 Referee: S Tomlin |
| 9 February 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Mansfield Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 14,716 Referee: D Crick |
| 16 February 2002 | Halifax Town | 0–2 | Plymouth Argyle | The Shay,Halifax |
| Report | Attendance: 2,330 Referee: T Parkes |
| 23 February 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–1 | Kidderminster Harriers | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 8,758 Referee: R Beeby |
| 26 February 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–0 | Exeter City | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report |
| Attendance: 16,369 Referee: G Cain |
| 2 March 2002 | Macclesfield Town | 1–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Moss Rose,Macclesfield |
| Report |
| Attendance: 2,557 Referee: P Dowd |
| 5 March 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | York City | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 10,801 Referee: P Prosser |
| 16 March 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–0 | Leyton Orient | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 9,438 Referee: M Fletcher |
| 23 March 2002 | Lincoln City | 0–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Sincil Bank,Lincoln |
| Report |
| Attendance: 4,019 Referee: Trevor Parkes |
| 26 March 2002 | Rochdale | 1–3 | Plymouth Argyle | Spotland,Rochdale |
| Report | Attendance: 4,457 Referee: Mike Pike |
| 30 March 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–0 | Bristol Rovers | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 15,732 Referee:Paul Danson |
| 1 April 2002 | Hartlepool United | 1–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Victoria Park,Hartlepool |
| Report | Attendance: 3,725 Referee:Mike Jones |
| 6 April 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 0–0 | Southend United | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 10,021 Referee:Ray Olivier |
| 13 April 2002 | Carlisle United | 0–2 | Plymouth Argyle | Brunton Park,Carlisle |
| Report | Attendance: 3,080 Referee: Mark Cowburn |
| 15 April 2002 | Darlington | 1–4 | Plymouth Argyle | Feethams,Darlington |
| Report | Attendance: 4,089 Referee: Guy Stretton |
| 20 April 2002 | Plymouth Argyle | 2–0 | Cheltenham Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Report | Attendance: 18,517 Referee: Steve Tomlin |
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 71 | 28 | +43 | 102 |
| 2 | Luton Town | 46 | 30 | 7 | 9 | 96 | 48 | +48 | 97 |
| 3 | Mansfield Town | 46 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 72 | 60 | +12 | 79 |
| 4 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 66 | 49 | +17 | 78 |
| 5 | Rochdale | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 65 | 52 | +13 | 78 |
Pld = Matches played;W = Matches won;D = Matches drawn;L = Matches lost;GF = Goals for;GA = Goals against;GD = Goal difference;Pts = Points
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 46 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 71 | 28 | +43 | 102 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 11 | +30 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 30 | 17 | +13 |
As of games played 20 April 2002[3]
First Round
| 17 November 2001 | Whitby Town | 1–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Turnbull Ground,Whitby |
Gildea 42' | (Report) | Phillips 72' | Attendance: 2,202 Referee:Neale Barry |
First round replay
| 27 November 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–2 | Whitby Town | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Bent 16' Stonebridge 39'Phillips 44'Evans  36' | (Report) | Burt 70' Robinson 72' | Attendance: 5,914 Referee:Paul Durkin |
Second Round
| 8 December 2001 | Plymouth Argyle | 1–1 | Bristol Rovers | Home Park,Plymouth |
| Wotton 27' | (Report) | Walters 60' | Attendance: 6,141 Referee:Richard Beeby |
Second Round Replay
| 18 December 2001 | Bristol Rovers | 3–2 | Plymouth Argyle | Memorial Ground,Bristol |
| Ommel 56' Hogg 71'Ellington 87' | (Report) | Friio 76',86' | Attendance: 5,763 Referee:Richard Beeby |
First Round
| 21 August 2001 | Watford | 1–0 | Plymouth Argyle | Vicarage Road,Watford |
| Gayle 82' | (Report) | Attendance: 9,230 Referee: Paul Armstrong |
Southern Section First Round
| 16 October 2001 | Cheltenham Town | 2–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Whaddon Road,Cheltenham |
| Victory 53' Alsop 63' | (Report) | Friio 16' | Attendance: 1,310 Referee: Paul Rejer |
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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|
Key
# = Squad number;Pos = Playing position;P = Number of games played;G = Number of goals scored;
=Yellow cards;
=Red cards;GK =Goalkeeper;DF =Defender;MF =Midfielder;FW =Forward
Statistics do not include minor competitions or games played for other clubs. All players are listed by position and then surname.[5]
| No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | Discipline | Notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | | | [6] | |||
| - | GK |  Chris Adamson ‡ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1* | 0 | [7] | ||
| - | GK |  Romain Larrieu | 45 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 0 | [8] | ||
| - | GK | Luke McCormick | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | [9] | ||
| - | DF | Jon Beswetherick † | 32 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | [10] | ||
| - | DF | Paul Connolly ¤ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | [11] | ||
| - | DF |  Graham Coughlan | 46 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51* | 11 | [12] | ||
| - | DF |  Brian McGlinchey | 29 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1 | [13] | ||
| - | DF | Craig Taylor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | [14] | ||
| - | DF | David Worrell | 42 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | [15] | ||
| - | DF | Paul Wotton | 46 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 5 | [16] | ||
| - | MF | Steve Adams | 46 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 51 | 2 | [17] | ||
| - | MF |  Jason Bent | 21 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24* | 4 | [18] | ||
| - | MF | Joe Broad ¤ | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8* | 0 | [19] | ||
| - | MF | Sean Evers ¤ | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | [20] | ||
| - | MF | David Friio | 41 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 10 | [21] | ||
| - | MF | Neil Heaney | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8* | 0 | [22] | ||
| - | MF | Lee Hodges | 45 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 6 | [23] | ||
| - | MF | Martin Phillips | 39 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 8 | [24] | ||
| - | MF | Kevin Wills | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | [25] | ||
| - | FW | Nicky Banger † | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10* | 2 | [26] | ||
| - | FW | Dean Crowe ‡ | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1* | 0 | [27] | ||
| - | FW | Mickey Evans | 38 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 7 | [28] | ||
| - | FW |  Martin Gritton ¤ | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| - | FW | Martin Green¤ | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| - | FW | Marino Keith | 23 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25* | 9 | [29] | ||
| - | FW | Ian Stonebridge | 42 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 9 | [30] | ||
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Graham Coughlan | 11 |
| David Friio | |
| Marino Keith | 9 |
| Ian Stonebridge | |
| Martin Phillips | 8 |
| Mickey Evans | 7 |
| Lee Hodges | 6 |
| Paul Wotton | |
| Jason Bent | 4 |
| Steve Adams | 2 |
| Nicky Banger | |
| Brian McGlinchey | 1 |
| 2001–02 Awards | Pos. | Player |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Year | DF | Graham Coughlan |
| Young Player of the Year | MF | Steve Adams |
In
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 August 2001 | FW | Nicky Banger | Dundee | Free |
| 21 September 2001 | MF | Jason Bent | Colorado Rapids | Free |
| 6 November 2001 | FW | Marino Keith | Livingston | Free |
| 1 December 2001 | FW | Blair Sturrock | Dundee United | Free |
| 4 December 2001 | MF | Neil Heaney | Dundee United | Undisclosed |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 July 2001 | FW |  Sean McCarthy | Exeter City | Free |
| 8 July 2001 | MF | Martin Barlow | Exeter City | Free |
| 10 July 2001 | GK | Jon Sheffield | Yeovil Town | Free |
| 1 August 2001 | MF | Michael Meaker | Northwich Victoria | Undisclosed |
| 6 August 2001 | DF | Michael Heathcote | Shrewsbury Town | Free |
| 17 August 2001 | MF | Stuart Elliott | Carlisle United | Free |
| 26 November 2001 | FW | Nicky Banger | Free agent | Released |
| 28 March 2002 | FW | Steve Guinan | Shrewsbury Town | Free |
| 29 May 2002 | DF | Jon Beswetherick | Sheffield Wednesday | Free |
In
| Start date | Pos. | Player | To | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2001 | FW | Dean Crowe | Stoke City | 5 September 2001 |
| 10 January 2002 | GK | Chris Adamson | West Bromwich Albion | 7 February 2002 |
Out
| Start date | Pos. | Player | From | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 November 2001 | MF | Joe Broad | Yeovil Town | 24 December 2001 |
| 29 November 2001 | FW | Martin Gritton | Shelbourne | 31 May 2002 |
| 1 February 2002 | DF | Paul Connolly | Bideford | 31 May 2002 |
| 28 March 2002 | MF | Sean Evers | Stevenage Borough | 31 May 2002 |
