Plymouth Argyle F.C.

Plymouth Argyle Football Club, also known as the Pilgrims, are one of the few soccer clubs in the English national leagues to play in a principally green strip. They have recently changed their customary white away strip to one which is principally tangerine in colour, an act of hommage to the highly successful manager Paul Sturrock[?], a former international player with Scottish league side Dundee United F.C.[?] (known as "The Tangerines" on account of the colour of their strip), who won them promotion within one season of joining the club. The tangerine strip has now engendered a new soubriquet applied to the team when they are playing in it, the tangergreens.

Their original ground at Home Park, was destroyed by German bombers during the Blitz on Plymouth during World War II. 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 old Devonport End was opened for the 2001 Boxing Day fixture with Torquay United F.C.. The other end, the Barn Park End opened on the same day. The Lyndhurst stand reopened in early February 2002. Plans are currently under discussion regarding the completion of the refurbishment of the ground with the replacement of the Mayflower stand.

The club was founded in 1886 as Argyle F.C. and gets its name from The Argyle Tavern (thought to be where the founder members first met) or possibly the Argyll and Southerners based in the area at the time. The club became fully professional in 1903.

The club was promoted from English league Division Three to Division Two as champions at the end of season 2001/2002, after attaining in excess of 100 points, a club record.

Results

• Plymouth Argyle F.C. (2001/2002)
• Plymouth Argyle F.C. (2002/2003)

How to get to the ground (and other useful information)

The ground is located at the north of Central Park[?], approximately half a mile from the main Plymouth railway station, and about a mile from the coach station.

From the station

By bus Turn immediately right out of the station, and cross the main road by footbridge. Any bus bound for Milehouse will drop you within 100 yards of the ground.

Walking Turn immediately right out of the station, and right again under the pedestrian footbridge and railway bridge. You will arrive at a roundabout: in front of you will be a pub, the Pennycomequick. From here you can either walk up Alma Road to the top and turn right at the Britannia pub (the long way) or you can cut across the park about 50 yards up Alma Road, heading right. You will come to a concreted path, follow it uphill and it will bring you past the council-run pitch and putt golf course to Home Park itself.

Arriving by road

Arriving from the east you will (probably) be on the A38 Devon Expressway. As you approach Plymouth, there is a major exit, the Marsh Mills roundabout. Do not take this exit unless you fancy wasting time driving through city-centre traffic. The next exit, the Leigham roundabout, is also sub-optimal. The third exit which will be signposted the A386 for Plymouth City Centre and Devonport is the one you want. Head in the direction of Plymouth city centre. (NB There are speed cameras along the length of this road and the police often have a mobile patrol laser-checking as well). The car-parks are well-signposted, however as Argyle have become progressively more successful, it has taken longer to leave these car-parks after the game...

Arriving by coach

Unless you are on a club coach explicitly bound for Home Park, you will be deposited at Breton Side Bus Station.

By bus Any bus bound for Milehouse will drop you within 100 yards of the ground.

Walking Exit the bus station through either of the staircases. If you are immediately outside the St Charles church (or what remains of it, as it was blown up during the Blitz), then turn left and follow the signs for the railway station, and follow instructions as per arriving by rail. If you find yourself outside the Post Office, just head for the St Charles church....

Links

• http://www.pafc.co.uk - Club official website.
• http://www.argyle.org.uk - PASOTI (Plymouth Argyle Supporters On The Internet, the main fans' site).
• http://www.greensonscreen.co.uk - Useful site with audio/visual round ups of games as well as many good links.