Live and Kicking

The back-to-back concerts at Home Park have been and gone, with Westlife probably having the edge over Meat Loaf. This year Argyle decided to go it alone in conjunction with the Pavilions and Ticketmaster, and the net result was almost the same except for the saving in stewarding (who were paid just £22 for the night). Home Park was set up virtually the same as last year save for a few tweeks, and the need to remove the Mayflower seating. Now we know why it's called temporary seating!

Another Incoming

The second signing of the closed season comes from Colchester in the form of Karl Duguid to fill the right back position. Duguid has signed a 2 year deal with the Pilrgims after 14 years playing for Colchester who were relegated last season. The 30 year old made 450 appearances for the Us in midfield or on the right as Colchester's skipper.

Karl's Marker
Duguid to be True

Dundee United Doings

I have added a new site to the recommended links today

http://dundeeunitedfc.blogspot.com/

is written by Chuck, and follows the progress of Sturrock of Arabia's former club. Read what the Arabs are getting up to before this year's preseason friendly.

Oh my Goodness! A Signing!

What? Argyle have actually signed a player. Jason Puncheon becomes the only addition to the squad so far this summer after he signed from Barnet for £250,000 in a 2 year deal.

Puncheon has been at Barnet since 2006 and made 42 starts for the Bees in the 2006/07 season and made 48 appearances last season scoring 11 goals.

Without doubt it is a little relief that a player has come in after all the departures (and potential departures), but it doesn't really go far enough considering the very small nature of the squad. Additionally Sturrock has once again looked at lower league players who do not have Championship experience. But at the moment, anyone is welcome to sign!

Saint Wotton

Paul Wotton has signed for Championship rivals Southampton.
News Article

Watch that come back to haunt Argyle.

Fixtures Released

Next season's fixtures have been released today. The season kicks off with Wolves at home who Argyle played on the closing day of 2007/08 season, echoing last season when the same happened verses Hull. The first away game follows, verses Reading.

The Christmas fixtures see Argyle home to Southampton, followed by Cardiff away on Sunday 28th. The next league match will not be till the 10th January due to FA Cup fixtures. The season rounds off at home for once verses Barnsley.

Bristol City, Swansea and Southampton away are on Tuesday night.

McCormick Latest

Luke McCormick has been bailed until September charged with two counts of Death by Dangerous Driving and one count of Driving under the Influence of Alcohol. The charge of Driving without Insurance has been dropped due to McCormick producing a valid insurance certificate.

Live & Kicking Travel & General Advice

As per last year's concerts are Home Park, the following advice has been issued to concert goers:

There is NO parking at Home Park (except for disabled person's parking).

Concert goers are advised to park at:

• The George Park & Ride, Southway (free parking) and catch the P&R1 route, return fare £2.50. The buses will operate until the last passenger has departed Home Park*
• Western Approach car park (£2.40 after 4pm) and catch 1, 1a, 14, 81 [First Bus], 16, 29, 43 [Citybus] routes from the stop outside the car park, normal fares apply and tickets are not transferable between bus companies

Full Details
Traveline Public Transport Journey Planner

Your entrance turnstiles are labelled on your ticket, the DEVONPORT stand (blocks 1 - 6) entrances are the ones facing the main car park under the "Plymouth Argyle Welcomes You" sign; the LYNDHURST (blocks 7 - 16) run down the left hand side of the ground, and the BARN PARK (blocks 17 - 23) are around the back - walk past the Lyndhurst to the far end of the ground and turn right. STANDING is on the pitch - you will need to retain your ticket at all times to have access to this area (transfer between seating and standing areas is completely prohibited).

Home Park is COMPLETELY No Smoking - this includes in the concourse, toilets, seating and standing areas.

*note the Coypool and Central Park Park & Ride sites will not be running

League Cup Luton

The draw for the 2007/08 League Cup was made today. Argyle have drawn Luton Town away to be played week commencing 11 August.

The full draw is:

Preston North End v Chesterfield
Chester City v Leeds United
Leicester City v Stockport
Sheffield United v Port Vale
Grimsby Town v Tranmere Rovers
Crewe Alexandra v Barnsley
Hartlepool United v Scunthorpe United
Derby County v Lincoln City
Notts County v Doncaster Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham
Shrewsbury Town v Carlisle United
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Accrington Stanley
Bury v Burnley
Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Morecambe
Huddersfield Town v Bradford City
Macclesfield Town v Blackpool
Walsall v Darlington
Coventry City v Aldershot Town
Milton Keynes Dons v Norwich City
Wycombe Wanderers v Birmingham City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Barnet
Gillingham v Colchester United
Southend United v Cheltenham Town
Swansea City v Brentford
Luton Town v Plymouth Argyle
Exeter City v Southampton
Watford v Bristol Rovers
AFC Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Bristol City v Peterborough United
Charlton Athletic v Yeovil Town
Millwall v Northampton Town
Swindon Town v Queens Park Rangers
Crystal Palace v Hereford United
Dagenham & Redbridge v Reading
Ipswich Town v Leyton Orient

It's all Gone Quiet over There

"No news is good news" and "no news is better than bad news" go the saying, but when no news comes following the release of half the squad, and now the sad news regarding Luke McCormick, you do tend to get nervous. Next month the pre-season training starts and there have been no new faces at Home Park, just a few disappointing misses and 'giving up' on Abdou.

And it doesn't help that it seems that even Stapleton and Sturrock are apathetic about next season. Although Stapleton has said that Hull have 'shown the way' (article) by not spending a lot of money in what he believes will be a tougher season. Frankly the tone of the whole article is quite negative and once again bemoans the low gate numbers as the root of all Argyle's woes. How often has that been trundled out? And likewise Sturrock has stated that he will not have a full squad because of wage costs.

Ho humm. Here we go round again...

McCormick charged

Luke McCormick has been charged with 2 counts of causing death by dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and "driving with excess alcohol" following the fatal car crash on Saturday morning.

Sky news

It looks like Luke's future at the club will become untenable, and his career is potentially over for good.

McCormick in fatal M6 crash

Luke McCormick has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal car crash in which two children died. The club has released a press statement to the affect that it in inappropriate for them to comment at this time.

McCormick was driving his Range Rover which was involved in the crash with a Toyota Previa on Saturday morning.

Sky Sports article

Terminal Teale?

Gary Teale could be the lastest player confirmed to have left Argyle this summer. Gary Teale is in negotiations with Leeds United, who though they play in the league below Argyle, attract larger crowds and can pay more. Teale made 12 appearances for the Pilgrims since he joined as a loanee from Derby County.

Herald article

Pre-Season Details

This year's pre-season matches:

14 July: Tiverton Town; Stadium Road
15 July: Weston-super-Mare; Woodspring Stadium
18 July: Kidderminster Harriers; Aggborough
21 July: Jiul Petrosani (Austria)
24 July: FC Nuremburg (Austria)
29 July: Yeovil Town; Huish park
30 July: Truro City; Treyew Road
2 August: Dundee Town; Home Park
4 August: Swindon Town; The County Ground