The fanzine of the Argyle Fans` Trust

The fanzine of the Argyle Fans’ Trust
Issue No. 1
August 2014
1
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2
Kick Off
A word from ‘Le Keeper’
I think the Argyle Fans’ Trust having its own fanzine is a great idea. I’ve no doubt it’s going to
be a popular read and a great opportunity for fans to share each other’s passion for all things
PAFC. I wish it every success.
My time now is being spent away from football as I learn new skills with
my hands, training as a gearbox specialist at our family business in Lee
Mill.
Coming home with oil all over my face and heavy duty working hands is
something I could never have imagined, but it’s a fresh challenge and I’m
loving it.
Romain Larrieu
And from the Trust chairman
A warm welcome to the first edition of the Trust’s new fanzine – ‘the Grass is Greener’.
One of the issues we’ve needed to address is our communication with members. This has
fallen down at times, so hopefully this fanzine will go some way to keeping people up to speed
with what the Trust Board has been doing. We hope that members who don’t receive our
online newsletters will welcome this addition to our communications. As well as information
about Trust activities there will be more general Argyle news and views.
A lot of hard work has gone into making The Grass is Greener happen. My thanks to our
editorial team – Paul Bartolini, Sam Down, Celia Ellacott, Sally Snow and Bob Wright.
Of course we would love more Trust members to get involved, so if you have an article,
opinion or idea that you would like to see in print, please contact any of the Trust Board or
the editorial team on [email protected] or PO Box 290, Plymouth PL5 9BW. We’ll
endeavour to print any submissions – space, taste and legality permitting! And all feedback
will be welcomed; we’re constantly looking at ways to improve how we operate so let us know
your thoughts.
All the best and keep it Green!
Andy Symons
3
Onside
News from the Trust
Meet the Board – Andy Symons
When my Dad took me to Loftus Road on a cold November night in 1973, to watch a
League Cup fixture between QPR and Argyle, I had no idea that this, my first taste of life
as a ‘Green’, would evolve into such an obsession. The fact that Argyle steamrollered a
team packed with internationals and ran out 3-0 winners probably helped; to this day Argyle
has been my footballing passion. Although I will confess that in my eyes Stan Bowles, who
played that night, remains the greatest English footballer I’ve ever seen.
Since then I’ve travelled the length and breadth of this fair land, supporting the Greens.
From St James Park, Exeter to St James Park, Newcastle (the Newcastle one is marginally
more impressive) and most points in between, my weekends have been taken up with
Argyle for as far back as I can remember. And now I’ve passed that passion/obsession on to
my son George, who can be found in Block 7 with me for most home games.
When I’m not following Argyle or working on behalf of the Trust’s members I follow Saracens
Rugby and Somerset cricket. I work as an account manager covering the south west for
a referencing and insurance company, which gets me out and about in the most beautiful
region of the country.
At home, my Trust work has been ably supported by my partner, Emma, and my son,
George. George is adamant that he’s going to play in goal for Argyle one day –I’m already
having visions of him saving the penalty on the last day of the season that ensures Argyle
get promoted to the Premier League. Hey, a Dad can dream, can’t he? And Emma has a
strong Argyle connection – her uncle played for Argyle, and scored a few goals, too. Mike
Bickle: you may remember him...
I’m proud to have been AFT chair for the past two years. In fact I’m now the Trust’s longest
serving chair. In that time I think I’ve experienced every emotion possible, but the bottom
line is I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved. From our alternative proposal for Higher
Home Park, which deserved far more respect than it was given by the Club, to our ground
breaking collaboration with the Royal British Legion this season; your Trust has been
working hard to represent Argyle fans in the community and at the Club. Our job is never
finished; there’s always a fresh issue to be addressed and we never slows down. We’d love
more people to get involved, so if you feel you’ve something to offer, pop along to the Trust
gazebo before a weekend home game and say hi; we’d love to see you.
Exeter Ticket Auction
We’re delighted to announce that the winner of the three tickets kindly
donated by Nigel Harrison, area director of OCS, Devonport, in favour of
the Trust’s RBL Shirt Fund is… Ian White. Many thanks to him and to all
who bid!
Ian said “The RBL is a wonderful charity that helps and supports
thousands of veterans and families of the British Armed Forces, I am
delighted to support this fantastic cause in association with Plymouth
Argyle FC and PASOTI.”
4
Onside
News from the Trust
Donating to the Trust’s RBL Shirt Campaign
Argyle are wearing the RBL WW1 100th anniversary poppy
and logo on their shirts home and away throughout this
season, thanks to a sponsorship donation by the Argyle
Fans’ Trust.
As a city with a proud military heritage, the Trust hopes that
the Green Army will back our shirt sponsorship by showing
their support for the RBL who do such fantastic work for our services personnel, past and
present. You can contribute towards the AFT’s sponsorship donation in a variety of ways.
Tribute Lounge and Boardroom hospitality tickets
We have up to four Tribute Lounge tickets and two Boardroom tickets per match, and are
asking a £30 donation for the Tribute Lounge, and an £80 donation for the Boardroom
package. Email [email protected] or call 07514 500195 for availability.
Become a ‘Friend of the RBL’
Individual fans can become one of up to 200 ‘Friends of the RBL’ for the season. You’ll
receive a signed certificate, have your name in a match programme and a commemorative
display at Home Park, and receive a year’s free AFT membership. The price is £25.
Become an ‘RBL Supporter’
Businesses or other organisations can become one of up
to 10 ‘RBL Supporters’. Your name/logo will be advertised
through a variety of channels this season, including the
RBL page in every home league match programme, and
via various AFT and RBL media and events: you’ll also be
included in the commemorative display. The cost is £500.
Take up a goal-side RBL-branded advertising hoarding
Businesses or other organisations can also take up one of just two goal-side 20-foot
advertising hoardings at Home Park. The hoarding will
carry your name/logo as well as the RBL’s official WWI
Anniversary logo as worn by the players: you will also
receive all the benefits of being an ‘RBL Supporter’ as
above. The cost is £1,500 plus fitting.
For details of these three packages,
contact: [email protected].
5
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6
Team Talk
New in League Two: Sam Down on the
new teams, their chances and significance for Argyle.
Luton Town: Argyle will resume their once fierce rivalry with Luton, newly promoted
from the Conference. The Hatters spent five years in the non-league wilderness in the
wake of severe financial meltdown on an even worse scale than Argyle’s. Luton had a
strong squad last year and were promoted with 102 points: they have since added to it
by signing former Argyle title winner, Paul Connolly, among others.
Cambridge United: Cambridge have returned to the league after an even longer exile: they were last relegated in 2005. Their most notable signing is former Manchester
United midfielder, Luke Chadwick, who supported the club as a boy. Manager, Richard
Money, has experience in Scandinavia, Australia as well as in the Football League.
Stevenage: This is a significant club for Argyle because they are the only one of the
Football League’s 92 sides that the Greens have not yet played. Their rapid progression from the Conference to League One meant they overtook the Pilgrims after the
2010/11 relegation. There are other connections: Simon Walton, who recently signed
for the Hertfordshire side, and Peter Hartley who spent a season there before joining
the Pilgrims this summer.
Shrewsbury Town: Shrewsbury away was Argyle’s first game on their return to League
Two in 2011 and the Green Army will be hoping that this year’s fixture at Greenhous
Meadow will also be their last. When we visit the Shrews on the closing day of the season in May, we’ll be hoping to square the circle with a promotion. The Shropshire outfit
have been amongst the earliest and busiest League Two sides in the transfer market
so far, and they too will be amongst the favourites to go back up.
Carlisle United: The most southerly side in the Football League will once again face
the most northerly after the latter’s relegation to League Two. The Cumbrians have
had a huge player overhaul this summer and the onus will be on Graham Kavanagh
to improve in his first full season in management now that he has a squad of his own.
Tranmere Rovers: A few eyebrows were raised when Tranmere appointed former
Exeter City assistant manager, Rob Edwards, to the Prenton Park vacancy, with most
expecting a more experienced appointment. However, Edwards will have learnt all
about working on a shoestring from his time at Exeter. He’s already ringing the changes
on Merseyside - with two former Exeter players following him up north.
7
Team Talk
Season Review - and preview by Sam Down
Whether last season ought to be seen as success or failure for Plymouth Argyle has
been hotly contested across the fanbase. At its start, most supporters would have at
least grudgingly accepted a year of consolidation after no fewer than five seasons in
which Argyle had come in the bottom four in their respective leagues. However, some
critics of Argyle’s 10th place finish point to the style of play and that, league position
aside, in points terms, this was actually closer to the relegation zone than the play-offs.
My own view tends more towards the positive side of the debate. The style was mixed
- at times it was hardly a joy to watch; at others, there was some fantastic football
being played. There were losing runs in which nobody really had an idea where our
next win was coming from. These were countered by our blistering form in the first
three months of 2014. At least we progressed from being a consistently bad team to
becoming an inconsistent one.
The first couple of months of last season left most of us feeling certain that a sixth
successive relegation battle was looming ahead. Performances were static and lacked
any hope or belief. By the end of October we had only scored four league goals from
open play and the old joke about renaming the club Plymouth Argylenil had never
seemed more relevant. John Sheridan cut a hopeless figure on the touchline and
didn’t look like changing the players or formation that had us doing so poorly.
One match at Mansfield however, changed all that. It won’t be remembered as quite
as significant a turning point as the famous 3-2 win at Rushden in Paul Sturrock’s day,
but it turned us into a mid-table side--a milestone in itself. The club went from looking
perennially cursed to battle relegation to becoming a side that was at least the master
of its own destiny. Sheridan changed to a 3-5-2 formation and a leaping header from
Neal Trotman in the last minute of stoppage time secured the 1-0 win that turned our
form back around.
Argyle then looked, if not fully revitalised, in much better health than they had for
a long time. A good winning run ensued and Sheridan struck gold with some good
loan signings, the most notable being the excellent Caolan Lavery. He scored three
goals in four games over a fantastic Christmas period that saw a gain of 10 points.
Form went from strength to strength as the new year wore on. After a 2-1 win against
Sheridan’s former club, Chesterfield, the Pilgrims settled in the play-off positions for
8
the first time, clawing back an 11-point deficit in January to climb from 10th to 7th
place, and playing some great stuff along the way.
Quite went wrong after that is anybody’s guess - but it certainly did go badly adrift. Just
one win and three draws from our last eight games saw the team plummet back down
to 10th and restore the 11-point gap to 7th place. John Sheridan had had enough.
Disappointed with his squad for failing to reach his pre-season play-off target, he
began a big clear out of the squad. Eight of the Argyle team at Pompey on the last day
of the season have left.
Perhaps the ‘Old Argyle’ could have made the next step from an inconsistent side to
a consistently good one - but it was not to be and we’ll never know. This season is
undoubtedly Nu Argyle. Our familiar team of inconsistent mavericks is no more and
the squad has been bolstered with established professionals. It’s a make or break
season for both Argyle and Sheridan: promotion must be the aim.
From the Dressing Room
Latest transfer news:
gossip and update from the pen of our correspondent, Chris Ebrington-Street
John Sheridan is looking to add the final touches to his squad with the new season
upon us.
Towering centre half, Trago Mills, is a likely target. Surplus to requirements, the big
defender is understood to be available at a discount price.
Sheridan wants to follow this up with bid for Jamaican international Tamerton
Foliot whom he hopes to pair with USA under-21 centre forward, Newton Ferrers.
Ferrers, who has been a hit in the Icelandic league, is understood to be a fine nordic
prospect.
Meanwhile, Northern Irish winger, Liam O’Derry has also been clocked on a recent
scouting mission, and is willing to be co-operative in contract negotiations. Derry’s
cross is one of the finest in the lower divisions.
These transfers are expected dreckly.
Plymouth Argyle Ladies Fixtures can be found at: www.palfc.org.uk
9
Team Talk
Squad List – August 2014
Goalkeepers
1 James Bittner
23 Luke McCormick (c)
Strikers
7 Lewis Alessandra
9 Reuben Reid
10 Marvin Morgan
14 Tyler Harvey
18 Matt Lecointe
22 Deane Smalley
Defenders
2 Kelvin Mellor
3 Ben Purrington
5 Curtis Nelson (Captain)
16 Carl McHugh
25 Aaron Bentley
28 Anthony O’Connor
29 Peter Hartley (Vice Captain)
Coaching Team
Manager - John Sheridan
First Team Coach - Sean McCarthy
First Team Coach - Paul Wotton
Fitness Coach - John Harbin
Goalkeeping Coach - Rhys Wilmot
Chief Scout - Darren Sheridan
Midfielders
4 Lee Cox
6 Oliver Norburn
8 Jason Banton
11 Dominic Blizzard
15 Paul Wotton
19 Nathan Thomas
24 River Allen
Italics indicate new signings
10
Inside Home Park
Backroom Staff
21 year-old, childhood Argyle fan, Matt Neil, is the club’s football analyst: he’s about to
begin his third season in the role. Sam Down spoke to him.
What exactly does a football analyst do? What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
It differs at every club I’ve come across. Personally, I work mainly for the first team but also at times
with the academy. Across pre-season you’ll see me filming every first team, development squad
and academy game. My role during the season is quite structured and mainly revolves around
helping prepare the coaching staff with the information and footage on our future opposition. This
includes getting match footage on the team, making sure reports are readily available from our
online scouting system and --my favourite part--researching the opposition penalty takers. I’ll
always look through a club’s most likely two or three takers before a match and pass an information
sheet on to our goalkeeper. Away from that, I work closely with our Performance Manager,John
Harbin--mostly on creating and delivering post match statistics on our own games for the coaching
staff and players.
How did you get into the role?
I joined the club in 2012 when Carl Fletcher was manager, having volunteered with the Green
Taverners for just over 14 months. I was lucky and knowing the right people certainly helped.
Previously, I had three years’ experience as an assistant researcher for Sports Interactive (a role
I still hold) where I research data for the makers of the popular computer game series Football
Manager. I’ve always been a big fan of football and the data that comes with it so I suppose the
job was perfect for me!
What do you enjoy most about being an analyst?
One of the most enjoyable parts is knowing that what you’re doing is beneficial to other people
in a very competitive environment. I am an incredibly big football fan and my whole life revolves
around either watching, studying or playing in some form, I continue to learn about my job and the
sport every day. When I first started the job I couldn’t believe the amount of things I had access
to. If I was bored one night I could download a game from anywhere across the world and watch it
almost instantly, modern day technology can be incredibly powerful when used to its full potential.
I think, though, my favourite part is just watching football. I grew up seeing any game I could,
playing video games till the early morning and becoming the first ever Sutton United manager to
qualify for the Champions League!
Are there any downsides to the job?
There aren’t really any downsides but the hours can be incredibly stressful at times. Pre-season
is a tough: you’re starting work at 9am and getting back home after a game at around 1am the
next morning. Every job has its downsides so there are no complaints from me as the positives
massively outweigh them.
What advice would you give to younger readers considering a career in sports analysis?
Work hard and prove what you can do. Getting a degree or having an award means nothing in
my opinion, you have to be able to prove that you can do the job and be ready for the challenges
that it may bring. Unfortunately the way football is at the moment there are very limited
opportunities for students or people who have recently graduated and nine times out of 10 you
have to volunteer somewhere to get the chance.
11
Outside the Box
Our regular opinion column for football-related matters
kicks off with Jim Benton-Evans on why he loves Scottish football
Scottish football has been a joke ever since I can remember - ever since, in fact, the
ill-fated 1978 World Cup campaign in Argentina. For people of my age, Scottish football
is indelibly associated with Andy Cameron, dodgy Chrysler adverts, Alan Rough’s perm
and fans in Jimmy wigs living up to every stereotype going. And subsequently the
standard of play and the quality of the League has slid inexorably down until it barely
resembles what we know and love as the beautiful game. Take Celtic and Rangers out
of the equation and you have a League in which most teams would give Bodmin a good
run-out.
That’s what I thought until I moved up to Scotland and started going to matches. The
football itch had, somehow, to be scratched - there were only a few Argyle away games
within reasonable reach and it was either Scottish games or the local rugby team.
The husband of someone I work with happened to be the official photographer for Ayr
United, and suggested I go along with him to a game or two. The first one happened to
be at Stenhousemuir - a place I had of course heard of, thanks to the classified check,
but had no idea where in Scotland it might be. It wasn’t a great game - a 1-1 draw in
front of maybe 500 people. And the skill levels - well, yes, Conference/Conference
South standard. But I have never been much of a purist when it comes to quality - good
job, really, being Argyle. And the relative lack of skill was more than made up for the
atmosphere - old-fashioned standing on old-fashioned terraces - and the sense of being
part of something authentic: a proper football match, played by part-timers who work for
a living, who have a connection with their fans who in turn are passionate about their
team for no other reason than that it is *their* team. In other words, it’s what football
ought to be like and ought to be about - and, in some respects, how it was. Teams
numbered 1-11; ten-minute half-times; guessing how much time the ref’s adding on and I bet we don’t get free-kick foam either. It’s cheaper, too - on average £12 for an
adult to get in.
There’s a quirkiness, a uniqueness about Scottish football that sets it apart, for me.
Seeing Arbroath winger, Bobby Linn, take a corner and get absolutely drenched by
a wave that came over the sea wall that runs right behind the ground; being able to
12
change ends at half-time at many grounds; hearing the Ayr fans sing their anthem ‘I
Am An Ayr Fan’ to the tune of ‘Anarchy In The UK’; the match-long banter between exArgyle keeper, Rab Douglas, and the fans behind his goal at Forfar; the individuality
and pricing of the catering - local delicacies a speciality, especially if you’ve ordered
beforehand: two bovrils, two pies, change from a fiver; taking the dog in at Berwick;
the pre-match playlist at Arbroath (the PA guy there has a thick Cornish accent
and a penchant for thrash metal). It’s a world away from the Premier League, from
international superstars, marketing campaigns and TV - and I love it for that reason.
Don’t get me wrong - Argyle are and always will be my team. And a 5-0 triumph for the
Honest Men can’t in any way sooth the frustrations and rage if the news of the Greens
is less than good. The reachable Argyle away games always take precedence for me,
but when I can’t get there, I’m happy to be paying on the gate at Somerset Park or
wherever, shouting at the refs and at the Ayr bench, developing my distaste for all things
Kilmarnock and refusing (on superstitious grounds) to check the Argyle score until halfand full-time.
Home Park thoughts from abroad
AFT member, Salvu Dimech – Tarxien, Malta
I have supported Plymouth Argyle since I moved to Plymouth from Malta in 1959.
My first game was watching Argyle beat Charlton 6-4 at
Home Park on 3rd October 1959. After that I was hooked
and became a regular member of the Green Army.
During my time in Plymouth I worked at the CWEW in
the dockyard starting as an engine fitter, then in the
planning office finishing as an estimator before being
made redundant in 1988.
I returned to Malta in August 1991 but I still keep up
to date with all things Argyle via the computer with the
PAFC website and Argyle World. I usually return to
Plymouth every year for two weeks to take in an Argyle
game.
I’m 79 years old now and would dearly love to see the new grandstand finished
before I depart for that football ground in the sky.
Salvu
13
Inside Home Park
Player Profile
In the first of a series, Sam Down talks to Lee Cox
How does it feel to be back at Home Park on a permanent basis?
It’s good to be back. It’s early in the season, very early days. Part of being a footballer is getting a
good pre-season under your belt and meeting the lads. Everything’s going well at the minute and I’m
looking forward to it.
How’s the pre-season gone so far: are you enjoying it?
Yeah I am to be fair. We’ve done a lot of testing which will stand us in good stead – it’s happening
again towards the end of pre-season to see how we’ve improved. It’s good what’s going on behind
the scenes. People talk about pre-season being really hard and painful but I’ve enjoyed it. You’ve just
go to make yourself fitter and push yourself
You obviously had a lot of interest from other clubs when you left Swindon. What made you
choose Plymouth Argyle?
I’ve been here before and really enjoyed my time down here. It’s a beautiful place and it’s a big club it was an easy decision.
You say that Plymouth is a beautiful place but it’s also a bit out of the way - do you think the
location is an advantage or disadvantage when attracting players?
At the end of the day it’s about playing football. I don’t really think it has an advantage or a disadvantage.
Plymouth is a beautiful place, and it can help you with your football if you like where you’re living. But I
can’t comment on other players. Me, I just play football and I enjoy it.
A lot of the players you were most familiar with from your last spell are now gone, including
your midfield partners Conor Hourihane and Anders Gurrieri. How do you feel about adapting
to some very different players?
That’s just part and parcel of football. It’s something that happens all the time and it’s something I’ve
got used to. I don’t think it’ll affect me much at all.
How does the role of social media and club forums affect you and the other players? Do you
read them a lot and take comments on board?
I think any player that gets too fazed by what’s being said on social media shouldn’t really be a
footballer. If that’s making you underperform or whatever then you shouldn’t really be on the pitch. If
you just take care of yourself and prepare well for games then you’ll go places, but not if you’re too
worried about the surroundings and the pressure.
Who’s the best player you’ve played alongside and the best manager you’ve played under?
There’ve been a couple of very good players. If I had to pick one I’d probably say Andy King who I
played with at Leicester when we were very young: he went on to captain them. - Manager? It would
be John Sheridan or Terry Butcher. I had two fantastic seasons under him at
Inverness.
What are your personal targets this season and what should the
targets be for the club?
Just take it game by game and treat every match like a cup final. Try and
get a win on the first day and just see where we go from there. We can’t be
looking too far down the line because anything could happen. I’m just going
to keep fit and play to the best of my ability and I hope everything else will
take care of itself.
14
Extra Time
Argyle Supporters’ Groups – contacts
North Devon Greens
Contact: Paul Hocking – 07800 682188 or Paul Richardson – 07902 624088
Facebook: North Devon Greens (Plymouth Argyle): Twitter: @ndgreens
PADSA (Plymouth Argyle Disabled Supporters Association)
For those supporters who are disabled or have additional needs, and their carers.
Contact: Chairman Barry Hendy on 01752 363909 or email: [email protected].
Dedicated mobile number: 07936542497. www.padsa.co.uk
PACSA (Plymouth Argyle Cornish Supporters Association)
Formed in February 1995. £10 pa for adults (Junior and Family rates available).
Quarterly Janners Journal. Contact Paul Sweet on 01208 873017.
PASTA
PASTA (Plymouth Argyle Supporters Trapped in Avon) based in the Greater Bristol area
No membership fee. Contact Tony Hooper at [email protected] for details.
Plymouth Argyle Supporters (Travel) Club (Plymouth Branch)
Membership is £9 a year for which you receive a discount on club travel costs to away games.
Membership: Mike Pengelly, 67 Beaumont St, Plymouth, PL2 3AQ
www.argylesupportersplymouthbranch.yolasite.com
Senior Greens
Meet every last Thursday of the month except June. Membership £8 a year (frozen until 2016).
Contact Sylvia Warren on 01752 336386
or Alex Pound on 01752 229787. www.seniorgreens.jimdo.com
Argyle Legends
Support the Argyle Legends with membership for as little as £5.
Contact Paul Hart on 07880 863761 or visit www.argylelegends.co.uk
PASALB
PASALB (Plymouth Argyle Supporters Association London Branch) has existed for many years,
providing a focal point for Argyle fans exiled in and around London. We currently
have around 150 members and an active calendar of social events, including Meet the Manager,
Meet the CEO, BBQ and Christmas parties, FA Cup semi-final anniversary
evening and a football and darts tour to Barcelona.
We organise travel to home and away games, as well as publishing a travel guide for members
highlighting a pre-match meeting pub. We also run football, darts and pool teams
in leagues where we play against the London-based supporters’ clubs of other teams from
all over the country.
Our members are also active in raising money to support the club. Last year, PASALB sponsored
a Green Taverners fans fest and we were match sponsors for the home game against Bury. And
this season, for the third year running, we will be the proud sponsor of Curtis Nelson.
Membership is just £10 a year (£5 for seniors) which includes this season’s travel guide, so if
you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with our membership secretary Rob Preece
at [email protected]
Mark Joannes (Chairman)
15
Inside Home Park
Argyle Legends
Sam Down meets Johnny Hore
There aren’t many men who can be said to be legends
for both Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City. How does it
feel to have bridged that divide?
It’s good. People ask if I could have moved on from Devon.
I played at the time when there weren’t agents and it just
never happened. I loved every minute of my time at Argyle
and the same for Exeter.
Two league cup semi-finals as a player at Argyle and a
promotion as well
Yeah it was a great promotion from the Third Division. It
was a really good side – we had a very experienced back
four and with Paul and Bill up front we were always in with a good shout. We were an allround good side. My only regret is that maybe it was broken up a little bit too early.
How was the fallout of the rivalry between the two sets of fans when you went to
Exeter? Was there any bad feeling?
I’m actually amazed by how the rivalry is today. It was nowhere near like it is now. I’m
actually a little bit disappointed in some of the attitudes with this rivalry - it can get quite
nasty and it wasn’t like that in my day. There was no bad feeling to me whatsoever, really.
It must have felt very strange coming back to Home Park
Yes, I had a nightmare game. I was so keen so prove something to Plymouth. I didn’t want
to leave, and in the end I was so keyed up that I had probably the worst game I’ve ever
played.
What are your best memories as a player?
Aside from the promotion, I’d say Pele against Santos and the semi of the League Cup.
I can remember them vividly and they really stand out. I was also lucky enough to have
Liverpool for my testimonial
I don’t suppose I need to ask what your highlight was as a manager
No, no – it goes without saying. The semi-final of the FA Cup was history making. I was
very proud of my players and staff. It was incredible. When I applied for the Plymouth job, I
wasn’t sure if I was going to get it but I did and it was a dream come true. It was beyond any
dreams to get as far as we did. There was a time when I really did think that our name was
on it.
16
Bobby Charlton was quoted as saying that it was awful that Argyle were in the semifinals. Did you use that to inspire your players at all?
On the morning of the game, that was in the papers. Stewart Dawe was raving about it and
the fans had picked it up too. That morning I had a phone call from Bobby - he said that he
did not say that and that was how just the media had twisted it. He wished us all the very
best. He was a great man to phone up like that.
Are you disappointed in how things ended at Argyle?
It was early in the morning when I was asked to leave and it came as a total shock. I had no
idea it was coming. But as I reflected and drove away from Plymouth, I can honestly tell you
I felt proud. FA Cup semi-final, I kept them in the League and sorted the finances out. I was
disappointed, but proud.
As this issue goes to print, Argyle will be playing Exeter at Home Park. Who will you
be supporting?
Oooh that’s a nasty one! I belong at Plymouth, had so many years there. Managing them
how I did, they will always be my main team. I had five great years at Exeter too though...
shall we go for a draw?
One last question Johnny...did Rodney Marsh dive that day?
Yes, yes he did! He’s been figured out since.
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17
Inside Home Park
Close Season Survey
This year’s Close Season Survey has seen a record level of participation from Argyle
fans, with 833 responses being generated since its launch in June. With input and cooperation from both club officials and the AFT Board, the Close Season Survey has
been collecting opinions on all things Argyle for eight years now. Its aim is to provide
the club and supporters with a useful snapshot of current attitudes to on- and off-field
matters, helping the club to identify where it might improve.
Comparing 2014’s results with 2013’s, it is noticeable that there are few substantial
changes in opinion, and only a small number of questions where there are significant
year on year shifts.
The most radical difference was over the first team’s performances, the single most
important issue to any Argyle fan. John Sheridan will be satisfied that there was a 35%
increase in those who selected “good” when ranking the first team’s performance,
mostly taken from those who answered “poor” or “very poor” last year. A clear
recognition of a better on-field performance over the season.
That may have increased enthusiasm amongst some fans for seeing “more” Argyle
matches next season, with a 6% increase in those saying that they will see 15 or more
games in the forthcoming campaign.
On ticket costs, a majority of fans believe that pricing in the £20 range is satisfactory,
combined with continued support for occasional offers to encourage attendance,
although there has been a 9% drop in the “strongly support” option, year on year. This
may mean Argyle should carefully consider when to offer these discounts, to protect
the value felt by season ticket holders annually renewing their membership.
Looking ahead, there is a 9% drop in those who “strongly agree” that they are optimistic
about the future, against those who are neutral or disagree. There is a 5% decrease
in those who “strongly agree” that they know where the club is headed, with a further
8% drop for those who “agree”.
As to club operations, there was a 4.5% increase in those who are “very satisfied”
with the programme and an 8% increase for those who are “satisfied” with the official
website. There is, however, a 6% increase in those who were “very dissatisfied” on the
club’s use of Facebook and Twitter. There was a 5% swap of opinion on stewarding,
from “satisfied” to “dissatisfied”. Something to watch out for after recent improvements
in this area.
Unsurprisingly, the time taken to get served at the bars within the ground was an irritation
but, as this was a new question, inserted at the club’s request, the response confirms
18
something already widely known. Opinion on the food and drink offering at Home Park
is firmly in the “dissatisfied” camp, with over 50% expressing a negative opinion and
only 18% saying that they were “satisfied”.
The fans remain loyal to Semper Fidelis, with nearly 64% believing it should be played
in full as the teams run out, but there is less agreement on whether there should be
music to celebrate a goal, split at 40% in favour, 49% against and 11% undecided.
Assessing opinions on the various supporter groups provides an intriguing set of
responses, particularly after a year in which both the PASB and Forza Verde have
ceased to exist. This may make it harder to compare results for the remaining
organisations in the survey.
There has been a 10% drop in those who say that they are “very aware” of the Argyle
Fans Trust, which is mostly re-distributed to those who are “aware”. Kudos for the
Green Taverners has risen still further with over 71% being “positive” or “very positive”.
The AFT’s ratings for those two options are at a healthy 58%, while the Senior Greens
have increased by 6% in “very positive” responses.
Interestingly, despite the acknowledged failure of the PASB to establish itself as the
fans conduit to the boardroom, there is a 5% increase in those who say that they
would like to see supporters play a more active role within the club.
As ever, there are many ways to assess and interpret the results of this survey - after
a short period for the club and the AFT to analyse them in more detail, we will make
them available for all to pore over in your own time, should you wish to do so.
John Lloyd
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19
Offside
A referee writes for the Grass is Greener…
Firstly I apologise for not being able to reveal more about myself but, as I am still
a practising referee, I have to remain anonymous Originally from Devon, I now live
elsewhere in the country, have been a Green since the age of 13 and played at
local league level before coming into refereeing about 15 years ago.
I will write about some of my experiences and where relevant, about incidents at
games but obviously my view will be subjective and in some circumstances it may
not be correct to comment. I hope that this column will become more interactive
over time: I will pose some situations I have been in and see what you would do
as well as asking readers to write in with questions and what-if type scenarios you
would like me to comment on.
For now, however, I thought I would start by explaining a few things about
refereeing.
The Football Pyramid for referees
As with football teams, there is a pyramid that defines the level a referee can
officiate at, and indeed, the two pyramids (Clubs and Referees) are very closely
aligned.
The starting point for all referees is an intensive ‘laws of the game’ training course,
but it’s only after a few mentored games that you are let loose on the wider football
world. This is the lowest level a practising referee will have, and alongside level 6,
means you can only referee at grass roots games.
After that, through promotions, you rise up through the levels and the basic rule is
that you can referee on the appropriate league but you can be an assistant referee
at the next level up. So for example, a level 5 will referee on lower supply league
(such as SW Peninsular League) but be an assistant referee on higher supply
league (Western League).
By the time you get to the Football Leagues, all referees will be either Level 1 or
2 at which point you are invited onto different panels (Premier League, UEFA and
FIFA). You also then have to decide if you will be a referee or an assistant referee
on these higher panels: you won’t be able to do both.
20
Promotions from the bottom upwards are determined according to assessments
made by qualified assessors and up to Level 4 this, and attaining the right fitness
level, are the only measures taken into account. When going up to level 3 and
higher, assessments are still important but there are a lot more of them, and you
have to finish in the top two or three for your league at Level 4 for instance, to even
have a chance of promotion. At that point you have to pass an interview with the
FA to progress to level 3. Regardless of how good your assessment marks are,
if you mess up the interview then you have to wait another year and hope your
performances stay at a level that keeps you in the top two or three.
In addition, assessments of fitness are more stringent and regular, with the top
referees being monitored through the week on their training and food intake and, on
match days, through the same ProZone software that professional clubs use for their
players. So the next time you see a referee and wonder how he got there, I hope
you can appreciate that a lot of hard work has to go into getting to the level needed
to referee Argyle games.
In my next column, I’ll talk about the laws of the game but to whet your appetite,
here is a:
What would you do?
It’s a very windy day and the defending goalkeeper is taking a goal kick. He
launches the ball forward into the wind, it leaves the penalty area while in the air and
then as the wind takes hold, the ball starts to go back from where it came. It pitches
just inside the penalty area and a combination of backspin and the wind, sent the
ball flying towards the top corner where the goalkeeper makes a fine save turning
the ball over the cross bar.
What decision would you give,
with the goalkeeper making the save
and would your decision change
if the goalkeeper had done nothing
and let the ball go into the net?
This happened to me
in a game so I will tell you
how I dealt with it next time.
21
Extra
Time
Extra
Time
Junior
Janner
Junior
Janner
Calling
all
younger
Greens
–
if
you
would
like
to
write
something
for
the
Grass
is
Greener,
Calling
all younger Greens – if you would like to write something for the Grass is Greener,
have
a
mention
for
your
birthday,
or
suggest
something
you
would
like
to
see
on
this
page,
please
get
in
touch
with
us
at
[email protected]
have
a mention for your birthday, or suggest something you would like to see on this page,
please
get in touch with us at [email protected]
Plymouth
Argyle Summer Roadshows and more…
Plymouth
Argyle
Summer
Roadshows
and
more…
Plymouth Argyle’s Football In The Community Trust has been running roadshows and
Plymouth
Argyle’s
Football
In
The
Community
Trust
has
been
running
roadshows
and
various
various
courses throughout the summer and it’s not too late for our young fans to take part.
courses
throughout
the
summer
and
it’s
not
too
late
for
our
young
fans
to
take
part.
Whether
you’re in Devon or Cornwall there are courses still available near you. If it’s a
Whether
you’re
in
Devon
or
Cornwall
there
are
courses
still
available
near
you.
If
it’s
a
goalkeeper’s
course, the soccer road show, train like a pro, activities day or search for a
goalkeeper’s
course,
the
soccer
road
show,
train
like
a
pro,
activities
day
or
search
for
a
star,
st
star,
there’s still time to join in. Courses run until
1st September and are available to anyone
September
and
are
available
to
anyone
there’s
still
time
to
join
in.
Courses
run
until
1
between
the ages of five and 14 years. You can find out more by contacting the Community
between
the
ages
of
five
and
14
years.
You
can
find
out
more
by
contacting
the
Community
Trust
on
01752
562561
Ext
162
or
book
online
at
www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk.
Trust
on 01752 562561 Ext 162 or book online at www.argylecommunitytrust.co.uk.
WORDSEARCH
Can you find theWORDSEARCH
following teams in the grid?
AFC WIMBLEDON BURY MANSFIELD TOWN MORECOMBE YORK CITY BURTON
ALBION OXFORD UNITED STEVENAGE PORTSMOUTH
LUTON TOWN EXETER CITY
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D
22
The
ARGYLE
Independent
TALK
Internet Forum
DEMOCRATIC
for Argyle Fans
www.argyletd.com
23
ARGYLE FANS’ TRUST
CONTACT INFORMATION
AFT Board
Andy Symons (chair)
Sam Down (vice chair)
Jim Benton-Evans
Tim Chown
Ed Shillabeer
Jon Sparkes
Fanzine Editor
Celia Ellacott
[email protected]
Comms/Media
[email protected]
Want to volunteer?
[email protected]
Web
www.argylefanstrust.com
Treasurer
Paul Bartolini
Twitter
@TheArgyleTrust
Secretary
We have a vacancy!
Please contact us if interested…
[email protected]
Facebook
facebook.com/TheArgyleTrust
Membership
Bob Wright
Sally Snow
[email protected]
Postal Address
Argyle Fans’ Trust
PO Box 290
Plymouth
PL5 9BW
the Grass is Greener:
EDITOR: Celia Ellacott
CHIEF WRITER: Sam Down
ADVERTISING: Sally Snow
CONTRIBUTORS: Jim Benton-Evans, Tim Chown,
Matthew Ellacott, John Lloyd, A Ref, Bob Wright.
THANKS TO: Steve Dean (Greens on Screen)
To join the trust visit
www.argylefanstrust.com/join
Printed by Erme Press
Harford Road, Ivybridge, Devon
01752 691140
24