Plymouth Argyle F.C.

This article is about the men's football club. For the women's team, seePlymouth Argyle W.F.C.

Plymouth Argyle

Full name	Plymouth Argyle Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Pilgrims; The Greens
Founded	1886(1886),asArgyle F.C.
Ground	Home Park
Capacity	17,900
Owner	Simon Hallett
Chairman	Simon Hallett
Manager	Wayne Rooney
League	EFL Championship
2023–24	EFL Championship,21st of 24
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours Third colours

Plymouth Argyle Football Clubis a professionalassociation footballclub based in the city ofPlymouth,Devon,England. The team competes in theEFL Championship,the second level of theEnglish football league system.The club has played atHome Parksince 1901.

The club takes its nickname,The Pilgrims,from the Pilgrim Fathersan English religious groupthat left Plymouth for theNew Worldin 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.The club has yet to compete in thePremier Leagueor theFootball League First Divisionthat 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 asArgylein 1886, the club turned professional and entered both theSouthern LeagueandWestern LeagueasPlymouth Argylein 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 Divisionin 1920. Finishing as runners-up on six consecutive occasions, Argyle eventually won promotion asThird Division Southchampions under the long-serving management ofBob Jackin 1929–30. A 20-year stay in theSecond Divisionended 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 Divisionin 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 Sturrockwith 102 points in 2001–02, Argyle secured a record fourth third-tier league title in 2003–04, and would remain in theChampionshipfor six seasons until administration and two successive relegations left the club inLeague Twoby 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.

History

Main article:History of Plymouth Argyle F.C.

Formation and early years (1886–1937)

1903–04 Argyle squad

The club was founded in 1886 as Argyle Football Club, the first match taking place on 16 October 1886 against Caxton, a team fromCornwalland 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.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.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.

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.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.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 1903againstWest Ham Unitedresulting in a 2–0 win for Argyle. The first home game as a fully professional club was on 5 September 1903 when Argyle beatNorthampton Town2–0 in front of a crowd of 4,438. Argyle won theSouthern Leaguein 1913,then in 1920 entered theFootball League Third Divisionas a founder member, finishing 11th in its first season.

Chart of table positions of Plymouth Argyle in the Football League

In the summer of 1924, a Plymouth Argyle team visited South America to play some exhibition football inArgentinaandUruguay.Argyle thrashedUruguay4–0 in the first game (the team which went on to win thefirst ever World Cupjust six years later), before pulling off another shock by beatingArgentina1–0.Argyle then held Argentine giantsBoca Juniorsto a creditable 1–1 draw.Moses Russellcaptained 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."

A Plymouth Argyle team during the tour on South America, 1924

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 Corcoranwould 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.

Argyle vsArgentina national football teamin 1924

Back in England, uniquely, between 1921–22 and 1926–27, Argyle finished second in theThird Division Southsix 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 a grand total of 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 Wanderersfor a fee of £10,890 – which made him the most expensive player in the world at the time.He was also the first player to score atWembley Stadium.

1937–1986

After theSecond World WarArgyle'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 the1954–1955seasonfloodlightsarrived 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.

Jack Rowleymanaged the club for over 230 games between 1955 and 1960, and won theFootball League Third Divisionwith the club 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. In 1965 Argyle reached theFootball League Cupsemi-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 RickardandJimmy Hinch) but apenaltyscored 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.

In 1974 – with future England striker and Argyle managerPaul Marinernow 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 City1–1, but lost theMaine Roadencounter 2–0. After spending six years in Division Three, Argyle finally returned to Division Two in 1974–75, under the management ofTony Waiters.This was mainly thanks to strike partnersPaul MarinerandBilly 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 Hodgesmade his Argyle debut, and he went on to play 620 games for the club–more than any other player.

Match atHome Parkin 1981

In 1984 Plymouth reached theFA Cupsemi-final despite being in the Third Division.After a successful cup run in which Argyle beatWest Bromwich Albionaway, a top division team at the time (1–0 courtesy of aTommy Tynangoal 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 toWatfordin the semi-final atVilla Parkcourtesy of aGeorge Reillygoal. However, managerJohn Horewas sacked during the following campaign and was replaced byDave Smith.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 Brownto become manager.

Success and into the Championship (1986–2008)

In the 1990s a new face took over the club: BusinessmanDan McCauleybecame chairman, and his first major decision was to sack Dave Kemp and appoint England's record cap holderPeter Shiltonas player-manager in the 1991–92 season.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.

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.PlayerSteve McCallbecame 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 Warnockstepped in as his successor. At the end of the1995–96season, Warnock took Plymouth to Division Three play-off glory in his first campaign as manager. The semi-final was a memorable affair. Argyle playedColchester Unitedand although 1–0 down from the 1st leg, won 3–1 at Home Park in the 2nd, meaning that the Pilgrims were going toWembleyfor the first time in their history.Argyle beat Darlington 1–0 in the play-off final to gain third-tier football once more.

Home Park in 1996

But Warnock was sacked within a year as the club narrowly avoided being relegated back to the fourth tier.Mick Jonesbecame 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 Sturrockas 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 Town2–0 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 Williamsonwas appointed manager. Argyle's first game in the newly re-branded 'Championship' (second tier) saw them draw 0–0 at home toMillwall,who wereFA Cupfinalists 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 Wanderersand a 0–0 draw at Leeds United, who went on to reach the play-off final at theMillennium Stadiumbefore 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 Madridin 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 County2–0 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.

Before the start of the 2007–08 season, managerIan Hollowaysaid 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.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.

Decline and Financial issues (2008–2018)

Match at Home Park in 2008

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 Stadiumto play againstPremier LeaguegiantsArsenalin the FA Cup third round.StrikerRobin Van Persiescored his second of the game five minutes from time to give Arsenal a 3–1 win.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.

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.However, Mariner lost his first two games–his first fixture resulted in a 2–0 loss atPreston North Endand 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.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 & Redbridge2–1 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.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.

Match at Home Park in 2017

James Brent's Akkeron Group agreed to a deal with the Administrators to buy the club withPeter Ridsdalealso confirming that he would leave the club when the deal had been completed.Further problems occurred with the Administrators threatening to quit the club.Argyle agreed to a deal to sellHome Parkback toPlymouthcouncil on 14 October for £1.6m and had to pay £135,000 a year in rent.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 toPortsmouthvia goal difference.The Pilgrims got off to an appalling start to theirLeague Onecampaign, 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 toFleetwoodadded 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 Adamseven 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.

Hallett takes over (2018–present)

In August 2018, Hallett became the majority shareholder of the club, with James Brent reducing his stake, as well as stepping down as chairman.Hallett had originally appointedDavid Felwick CBEas Argyle's chairman-elect, but he cited "personal reasons"for being unable to takeover, so Hallett took over as chairman on 1 November 2018.At the end of the2018–19 season,Argyle was relegated toLeague Two.

Plymouth Argyle players before a match againstCharlton Athleticin 2021

Ahead of the2019–20 season,Hallett appointedRyan LoweasDerek Adams's successor, signing the then 40-year-old Liverpudlian and his assistant managerSteven SchumacherfromBury.The change in management was a success as that season, Argyle finished in third place, gaining promotion back toLeague One.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 Lowewas replaced by his assistant,Steven Schumacherleading the club into 7th place for the2021–22season.

Argyle enjoyed its best season since2008in2022–23,with the new Mayflower stand fully built, the capacity ofHome Parkrose to 17,900, and the club regularly saw 16,000 fans turning up to support the team.The club won theEFL League Onetitle, clinching it in an away win atPort Vale,and finishing the season on 101 points. 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.

Sponsorship

The club's current sportswear manufacturer isPuma.The club's main sponsor is currently Bond Timber. Shirt sponsorship was first introduced by the club in 1983.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 Independentwhich 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.

In 2011 with the club still in administration, local timber merchant WH Bond Timber sponsored Argyle's kits at first for the2011–12 seasonand 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 companyGinstersthen came back for a second spell as main sponsor in the2016–17 season.

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
2023–2024		WH Bond Timber
2024–Present		Classic Builders(SW)

Stadium

Main article:Home Park

Home Parkin 2023

The original ground of the professional club atHome Parkwas destroyed by German bombers duringthe Blitz on PlymouthinWorld War II.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 Dayfixture 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.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 authoritiesof the case for retaining a standing terrace, decided to add 3,500 temporary seats to the Mayflower enclosure,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.The then Argyle chairmanPaul Stapletonstated 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,this project was in serious doubt.

The Old entrance to the Mayflower stand has been the official club shop since 2021

The club was then taken over by local business owner James Brent,who submitted fresh plans to build a new Mayflower Grandstand with a 5,000seating capacity,and an associated leisure complex.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.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.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.

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 replayvsLiverpool.The seating was kept in place for the next home match, aLeague 2game vs Devon rivalsExeter City,but tickets were not on sale to the general public. Shortly after this game, the seating was removed.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.

Support

Further information:West Country derby

Plymouth Argyle fans in 2022

Plymouth Argyle have an enthusiastic fanbase, which can be very vocal.

Argyle fans are often referred to as "Janners", the unofficial nickname used to describe residents ofPlymouth.The 1940s saw the club attract the highest average attendances, with the largest ever being recorded in the1946–47season, 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 footballduring this period as they were some of the foremost decades ofFootball hooliganism.

During this period, a hooligan firm named The Central Element emerged as a gang in the mid-1980s.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 CrewandWest Ham United'sInter City Firm.

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 the2021–22season, The Janner Song has been played before every home game.A survey conducted byFootball Fans Censusin 2003 confirmed that Plymouth Argyle supporters consider their main rival to beExeter City.The two clubs first met in a competitive fixture in 1908 when in theSouthern LeagueThe club's traditional rivals are fellow Devon sidesExeter CityandTorquay United;other less intense rivalries exist withSwindon Town,Portsmouth,Bristol CityandBristol Rovers.

In the 2019/20 season, Plymouth Argyle lost to rivals,Exeter City,4-0. This remains as the biggest West Country derby defeat in modern day football.

Players

Current squad

As of 04 October 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
2	DF	ENG	Bali Mumba
3	DF	ENG	Nathanael Ogbeta
4	MF	ENG	Jordan Houghton(vice-captain)
5	DF	ESP	Julio Pleguezuelo
6	DF	HUN	Kornél Szűcs
7	FW	NED	Ibrahim Cissoko(on loan fromToulouse)
8	DF	ENG	Joe Edwards(captain)
9	FW	SCO	Ryan Hardie
10	FW	ENG	Morgan Whittaker
11	MF	ENG	Callum Wright
14	FW	IRL	Michael Obafemi(on loan fromBurnley)
15	FW	SLE	Mustapha Bundu
17	DF	ENG	Lewis Gibson
18	MF	ENG	Darko Gyabi(on loan fromLeeds United)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
19	FW	JAM	Andre Gray
20	MF	ENG	Adam Randell
21	GK	NIR	Conor Hazard
22	DF	ZIM	Brendan Galloway
25	GK	SVK	Marko Maroši
26	FW	NGA	Muhamed Tijani(on loan fromSlavia Prague)
27	MF	ENG	Adam Forshaw
28	MF	SWE	Rami Al Hajj
29	DF	ENG	Matthew Sorinola
31	GK	ENG	Daniel Grimshaw
34	MF	ENG	Caleb Roberts
35	FW	WAL	Freddie Issaka
44	DF	ISL	Victor Pálsson

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
23	FW	NZL	Ben Waine(atMansfield Town)
24	DF	ENG	Saxon Earley(atLincoln City)
32	MF	WAL	Will Jenkins-Davies(atTorquay United)
33	GK	SCO	Zak Baker(atTiverton)
36	MF	ENG	Josh Bernard(atTavistock)
37	DF	ENG	Jack Matthews(atTaunton Town)

Retired numbers

• 12 –The Green Army(supporters)

Youth & reserves squad

Under–18 team

As of 24 August 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	GK	ENG	Dan Holman(2nd Year)
—	GK	ENG	Jack Flower(1st Year)
—	DF	ENG	Jenson Ireland(2nd Year)
—	DF	ENG	Harry Shield(2nd Year)
—	DF	ENG	Joel Sullivan(2nd Year)
—	DF	ENG	Malachi Davy(1st Year)
—	DF	ENG	Lewis Flowers(1st Year)
—	DF	ENG	Toby Haley(1st Year)
—	DF	ENG	Joe Mwaro(Under 16)
—	MF	ENG	Harley Sneap(3rd* Year)
—	MF	ENG	Finley Wilkes(3rd* Year)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	MF	ENG	Cole Fisher(2nd Year)
—	MF	ENG	Kian Burch(1st Year)
—	MF	ENG	Sam Lord(1st Year)
—	MF	ENG	Lewis Thomas(1st Year)
—	MF	ENG	Seb Campbell(Under 16)
—	FW	ENG	Kieran Edworthy(3rd* Year)
38	FW	WAL	Joe Hatch(2nd Year)
—	FW	ENG	Oscar Dean(1st Year)
39	FW	ENG	Tegan Finn(1st Year)
—	FW	ENG	Fletcher Poole(1st Year)

Reserve team history

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 Leagueclubs.

The reserves' honours include theSouthern League Championshipin 1922, 1926, 1929, 1934 andits League Cupin 1933, 1934 and 1936; 1934 was the first Southern LeagueDouble.

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.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 Abbotand finished 6th in 2016–17.

In April 2019 it was announced that Argyle Reserves were pulling out of theSouth West Peninsula Leagueat the end of the season. A new development team, run by the Argyle Community Trust would enter the newDevon Football Leaguefor the 2019–20 season.

Player of the Year

Main article:Plymouth Argyle F.C. Player of the Year

Source

Year	Winner
1966	Johnny Newman
1967	Norman Piper
1968	Pat Dunne
1969	David Burnside
1970	Derek Rickard
1971	Jim Furnell
1972	Dave Provan
1973	Neil Hague
1974	Ernie Machin
1975	Paul Mariner
1976	Paul Mariner
1977	Neil Ramsbottom
1978	George Foster
1979	Fred Binney
1980	George Foster

Year	Winner
1981	David Kemp
1982	John Sims
1983	Gordon Nisbet
1984	Gordon Staniforth
1985	Tommy Tynan
1986	Kevin Hodges
1987	Tommy Tynan
1988	Steve Cherry
1989	Tommy Tynan
1990	Nicky Marker
1991	Kenny Brown
1992	Dwight Marshall
1993	Steve McCall
1994	Steve McCall
1995	Marc Edworthy

Year	Winner
1996	Mick Heathcote
1997	Chris Billy
1998	Martin Barlow
	Carlo Corazzin
1999	Mick Heathcote
2000	Paul McGregor
2001	Wayne O'Sullivan
2002	Graham Coughlan
2003	Paul Wotton
2004	Mickey Evans
2005	Paul Wotton
2006	David Norris
2007	Lilian Nalis
2008	Krisztián Timár
2009	Romain Larrieu

Year	Winner
2010	Carl Fletcher
2011	Carl Fletcher
2012	Maxime Blanchard
2013	Onismor Bhasera
2014	Reuben Reid
2015	Luke McCormick
2016	Graham Carey
2017	Sonny Bradley
2018	Graham Carey
2019	Rúben Lameiras
2020	Antoni Sarcevic
2021	Joe Edwards
2022	Michael Cooper
2023	Michael Cooper
2024	Morgan Whittaker

Jack Lesliestatue outside ofHome Park

Noted former players

Main article:List of Plymouth Argyle F.C. players

For details on former players who have a Wikipedia article, see:Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players.

Team of the century

For the centenary celebrations, an all-time best team of Plymouth Argyle players was chosen by fans of the club.

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

World Cup players

The following players were chosen to represent their country at theFIFA World Cupwhile contracted to Plymouth Argyle.

• George Baker(1958)
• Rory Fallon(2010)

Club officials

Boardroom positions

Position	Name
Chairman	Simon Hallett
Director	Paul Berne
Director	Jane Chafer
Director	Richard Holliday
Director	John Morgan
Director	Nick Giannotti

Ownership

In 2019, Simon Hallett raised his stake in the club to 97%, with Richard Holliday holding the remaining minority.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 wereNHLplayersOndřej PalátandVictor Hedman,andNBAExecutiveJon Horst.

Club officials

Position	Name
Chief Executive Officer	Andrew Parkinson
Club Secretary	Zac Newton
Head of Facilities	Gavin Priest
Head of Commercial Operations	James Greenacre
Head of Marketing	Jamie Yabsley
Head of Conferencing	Christian Kent
Head of Finance	David Ray
Player administration Officer	Ellen Shine

Coaching positions

Position	Name
Director of Football	Neil Dewsnip
Manager	Wayne Rooney
Assistant Manager	Pete Shuttleworth
First-team Coach	Kevin Nancekivell Simon Ireland
Goalkeeping Coach	Darryl Flahavan
Head of Sports Science	Connor Derbidge
Club doctor	Peter Pollak
Head of Performance	Gareth Law
Physiotherapist	Alex Kay
Sports therapist	Abner Bruzzichessi
Head of Recruitment	Jimmy Dickinson
Scout	Charlie Allen
Football Data	Ross Goodwin
Lead Analyst	Sam Morcom
Analyst	Harry Powell

Managerial history

Main article:List of Plymouth Argyle F.C. managers

Source:

• 1903Frank Brettell
• 1905Bob Jack
• 1906William Fullarton
• 1907Committee
• 1910Bob Jack
• 1938Jack Tresadern
• 1947Jimmy Rae
• 1955Jack Rowley
• 1960Neil Dougall
• 1961Ellis Stuttard
• 1963Andy Beattie
• 1964Malcolm Allison
• 1965Derek Ufton
• 1968Billy Bingham
• 1970Ellis Stuttard
• 1972Tony Waiters
• 1977Mike Kelly
• 1978Malcolm Allison
• 1979Bobby Saxton
• 1981Bobby Moncur
• 1983Johnny Hore
• 1984Dave Smith
• 1988Ken Brown
• 1990David Kemp
• 1992Peter Shilton
• 1995Steve McCall
• 1995Neil Warnock
• 1997Mick Jones
• 1998Kevin Hodges
• 2000Paul Sturrock
• 2004Bobby Williamson
• 2005Tony Pulis
• 2006Ian Holloway
• 2007Paul Sturrock
• 2009Paul Mariner
• 2010Peter Reid
• 2011Carl Fletcher
• 2013John Sheridan
• 2015Derek Adams
• 2019Ryan Lowe
• 2021Steven Schumacher
• 2024Ian Foster
• 2024Wayne Rooney

Records and statistics

Main articles:List of Plymouth Argyle F.C. records and statisticsandList of Plymouth Argyle F.C. results by opponent

Club records

• Best FA Cup performance:Semi-final,1983–84
• Best League Cup performance:Semi-final,1964–65,1973–74
• Best EFL Trophy performance:Runners-up:2022–23
• Record attendance at Home Park:43,596 vs.Aston Villa,Second Division,10 October 1936
• Record unbeaten run:25 games, April to December 1929
• Joint record victory:8–1
  • vsMillwall,Second Division,16 January 1932,Home Park
  • vsHartlepool United,Second Division,7 May 1994,Victoria Park
• Joint Record victory:7–0
  • vsChesterfield,Second Division,3 January 2004,Home Park
• Record League defeat:0–9 vs.Stoke City,Second Division,17 December 1960
• Most League points (2 for a win):68,Third Division South,1929–30
• Most League points (3 for a win):102,Third Division,2001–02
• Most League goals:107,Third Division South,1925–26andThird Division South,1951–52
• Most goals in a season:33,Jack Cock,Third Division South,1926–27
• Fastest five goals
  • Argyle defeatedChesterfield7–0 at Home Park on 3 January 2004 in the Second Division; their joint record win. In the process they also broke the English record for the fastest five goals scored in a professional game–after just 17 minutes.

Seasons

Main article:List of Plymouth Argyle F.C. seasons

Most appearances

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

Most goals

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

Honours

1929–30Third Division winning squad.

Source:

League

• Third Division South/Third Division/Second Division/League One(level 3)
  • Champions:1929–30,1951–52,1958–59,2003–04,2022–23
  • Runners-up:1921–22,1922–23,1923–24,1924–25,1925–26,1926–27,1974–75,1985–86
• Third Division /League Two(level 4)
  • Champions:2001–02
  • Runners-up:2016–17
  • Promoted:2019–20
  • Play-off winners:1996
• Southern League
  • Champions:1912–13
• Western League
  • Champions: 1905–06

Cup

• EFL Trophy
  • Runners-up:2022–23

External links

• Official website
• Plymouth Argyle F.C. onBBC Sport:Club news–Recent results and fixtures