Calling the Shots

Aldershot 0 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

The unbeaten run continues, and though a win would have been better, it was enough when coupled with Swindon winning to mean that Argyle start the new year not on the bottom of the table. Keeper Cole kept the Pilgrims in the running as the shots were called by the Shots in the second half, the players say it was a hard fought game and are knackered due to the physicality of the match. That, though, is worrying if fitness is a concern. Staying up is all that Argyle can really hope for at the end of this season, and with 4 months left there will be many hard matches along the way. Starting with Torquay on Monday.

A Very Merry Christmas

Bristol Rovers 2 - 3 Plymouth Argyle

Probably the best Christmas present any Argyle fan could ask for. A win and 3 points, and to come back from 2-0 down with 3 fantastic goals. The only problem is that the Greens have regained their place at the bottom of the league, having lost their get-out-of-jail goals scored advantage. An inspirational second half, following a rather poor but Argyle-usual first, led by Chadwick and Feeney saw the Pilgrims regain advantage and control of the game, but it was Hemmings that eventually scored the winning goal at the death when another draw looked very much on the cards. Santa must have been smiling on the Green Army this Christmas.

Merry Christmas

An Unbeaten Run

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Hereford United

As a positive the unbeaten run has continued, the Greens came back from being 0-1 down, but that's about it really. Yet another needless but now customary red card to add to the list and a rather woeful performance. It'll be very easy to blame the referee for today's result, even though that'll just hide the poor quality of the team, he didn't do the game any favours and might as well been part of the Hereford lineup, who coudl be seen as another scapegoat for their unsportsmanship leading to the sending off. Thankfully however the gap to safety is shrinking, and the other results mean that Argyle is still 2nd from bottom even if on;y on goals scored.

Off the Bottom

Hurrah, after 100+ days Argyle are off the bottom of the league!

Bradford City 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Although the point is very welcomed, unfortunately the Greens could not hold on to the lead yet again, and yet again a player got sent off (Bhasera - second bookable offence). Surely PAFC have the worst disciplinary record of the league, it seems that a player is not nearly every game! What;s better is that Argyle managed 50% of the possession and 5 shots on goal - doesn't sound much, but is another steady performance. And puts the Pilgrims 3 points off safety; if the right changes are made, Plymouth could possibly stay up.

Ridders Out

So Peter Ridsdale is leaving Argyle for PNE, leaving the Greens with no chairman of football, an inexperienced player/coach/manager and no board to speak of. Mixed feelings on this no, as he had his part to play in the shambles of the takeover through wanting to buy the club for £1 from BIL, and now resigning leaving Argyle with no-one knowledgeable enough to steer the rudder, but also he was steadying the ship for the past year. Plus, where does this leave Darren Purse who came here due to Ridsdale? Interesting.

Not a load of Cobblers

Plymouth Argyle 4 [four!] - 1 Northampton Town

Should have been 4-0 had it not been for a last minute stoppage time goal by Northampton, the first clean sheet for a while, but it wasn't to be. However, it was a Green booking free game! New loanees Chadwick and Hemmings got on the score sheet, along with a well taken penalty by Walton, and a skillfull goal by Atkinson saw the ball banging in the net 4 times in the first half for Argyle, and save for the good saves of the Cobblers' keeper it could have been more. It nearly looked like Argyle were heading for a clean sheet with Argyle on cruise control, and thus taking the pace out of the game, until the near last kick of stoppage time when Akinfenwa grabbed a late, late consolation. But on that performance, who can criticise!

Kitted Out II

The "new" Argyle 2011/12 kit is now on sale (large and extra large yet to be released though!).

The hope for a new kit - as opposed to the temporary kit - has not materialised and the temporary kit has been given a 125 year makeover, and a white away shirt - a 'negative' of the home shirt added instead.

Transfer Terminal

On Loan Transfer Deadline Day, Argyle have managed to sign three loanees - former Pilgrim Nick Chadwick, veteran 34 year old ex-Millwall, Darren Purse and Wolves winger Ashley Hemmings. At a time when the budget is tight and the league even tighter, these three signings should hopefully make a difference to the under experienced and depleted squad. Chadwick was always a work-horse in his previous spell - though much aligned by supporters whose opinion was he was no Championship level standard, and coupled with Purse's maturity could settle the boat on the pitch. Whilst Hemmings is a 20 year old who can grow with the team.
Purse is up for the challenge of saving the Greens and has made a big commitment to move to the South West, and Chadders - holds the other record for Argyle's quickest goal (11 seconds against Palace) and the other record of only mad 49 appearances in his 3 years at Argyle due to many injuries - is also making a move down south, this time from Stockport.
Welcome all.

"Giant" Slayed

The worst ever display by an Argyle team. It's not good enough to be sat 92nd in the football league for the first time, but to be beaten by a team 3 leagues below takes the biscuit. A team of non-professionals knocked the stuffing out of a so called professional team and then kicked it's twitching corpse to death. An event that is too familiar - from Bignot's own stupidity causing him to be sent off, through to the clueless 'what's this round thing and where does it go?' style of football, to the ingrained 'oh shit they've scored, no chance now' attitude. Currently, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.

Well done to Stourbridge, the best team won.

Worst. Club. Ever

Stourbridge 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP CRAP-FC

Stourbridge the Revenge?

Tuesday 22 November, live on ESPN.

Stourbridge are the favourites, and probably quite rightly so., especially as they drew 3-3 and were leading for most of the match. At the moment, the might of the Pilgrims is as strong as a dead ant, and the FA Cup game has potential for an embarrassing morale damaging defeat, with suspensions and injuries. On the one hand the money is welcomed especially if the right draw comes along, but with Argyle sinking out of the league without a trace, the age-old cup vs league argument has even more precedence. Both teams will need drive and determination to win, and Stourbridge probably have more.

Spending a Penny

Argyle might not have a pot to piss in at the moment, but you can help to give the supporters something to relieve themselves in. Best Loosers are looking for votes to 'promote toilets to a higher league'. Your chance to vote for the shittiest shitters to get the makeover treatment making sure your club is no longer bog standard in the toilet department. Vote for Home Park by 5 January 2012. Anyone who has used the shacks behind the grandstand know that although Argyle can't afford to piss good money up the wall, that's exactly what us blokes literally do every time we take a leak, and the ladies ain't up to much either apparently! Help make Argyle flushed with success in at least one competition this year.

Turkey

Torquay United 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Stuffed right and proper, and it's still a month till Christmas. How the mighty have fallen, now all the bravado of being the big club in Devon has proven folly by being beaten by Exeter (then relegated out of their league) and now by Torquay (who are near play offs whilst Argyle are near relegation out of their league). What a complete riches to rags story! Shit or bust time? I don't know, it's too soon after take over but the gap is getting too wide with no sight of ever catching up on the difference. The squad is young, ill-disciplined and inexperienced, and Fletcher too raw in management and still cutting his teeth. To throw him out now is too soon, but to give him time may be too late. A story repeated with every recent Argyle manager, with Sturrock II the hold on was too long, was Reid too short?

A Stour Point

Plymouth Argyle 3 - 3 Stourbridge United

How embarrassing, L1 Argyle very nearly knocked out the FA Cup in Round 1 proper by a non league team, but as I said before kick off, that's Argyle's form. It was very lucky to have secured a goal in the dying minutes rather than concede like normal. Though it was an action packed game with 6 goals, Argyle coming back twice, a late penalty and two sendings off - the bookings are stacking up for the Greens with 3 suspensions for next week' game at Torquay, and again not for the first time discipline has been a problem and impacted on a fragile squad. Stourbridge are surely going to look to be the more confident at taking their chances in the replay at Stourbridge 22 November, maybe even be the favourites, because that was a far from impressive game.

Magic Cup

So the first round of the FA Cup is upon us, the day when all the minnows of football dream of a plum draw against the mighty , dragon slaying, great day out - lots of money! Unlike the League Cup, which quite frankly few people give a damn about now, there's something special about the FA Cup. Today Argyle host Evostik Premier club Stourbridge, who undoubtedly are looking for an upset - and Argyle should not take them lightly given their own position and form.
Special admission prices apply today at just £10 per adult.

Morecambe and Wise

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Morecambe

Most would probably have settled for a point before the game, but to be leading 1-0 for 90 minutes and concede in 5 mins stoppage time is galling. Just a few minutes more to hold on would have meant the whole bag, but it wasn't to be. Feeney had his best game for Argyle and new loanee Bignot from Blackpool showed himself around the field all afternoon, a few more experienced players could hopefully lift the curse of failing in the last 20 minutes of every game. Plus for the first time the player/manager scenario of Fletcher and Larrieu looked shakey as they both took to the field to leave new coach Kevin Nanceskivell on the bench, Fletcher in particular made some bad player/manager decisions on the pitch, which lead to his booking.

Les Manageurs

Carl Fletcher and Romain Larrieu have been announced player/manager and player/coach permanent following the saving of the club. Congratulations to them both. Though can't help thinking that the Riddler thought no other poor sole would want the job and they'll be gone as soon as he gets bored with them and a big name comes sniffing.

Leap of Faith

It's now definitely over after the Football League took a 'leap of faith' over James Brent and brought Argyle out of administration. And - the staff are being paid! Thus the end has really come, PAFC survive in the present and the future is going to be a struggle.

Misty Dawn

Cheltenham 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Not the best start to the new dawn of PAFC when you lose 2-1 after being 0-1 up for 80 minutes of the game. To lose through a dodgy penalty decision too is even more galling. And it makes hope of survival in the league even more dim. Being rooted to the bottom of the FL all season with a lot of work to do to even contemplate survival in the league is a daunting prospect. There's always something bad happening at Argyle, but with the existence of the club all but secure, now is the time to concentrate on the league. Not a cliché this time!

IT'S OVER!

AT LAST, it's all over. On Friday P&A Partnership have agreed a deal to sell the club to Akkeron Group and the deal has been signed and sealed. Peter Ridsdale has been appointed Chairman of Football Operations (no surprise there really - he's been hanging round like a bad smell for ages) who set out his stall for rebuilding the club's fortunes, and new owner James Brent has outlined his aspirations for the future. Now the FL is due to give back it's 'golden share', one last technicality left and administration is finished. Then it's down to PCC to buy back Home Park and the process of dragging the club back up to standard begins.

Argyle went into admin in March, but the sorry saga has been going for over a year with players and staff not receiving any pay since this time last year. In that time many have left, others have struggled on, supports - in austere times themselves - have given a vast amount of money, organised vigils and garnered the support of numerous other clubs through Fans ReUnited. And it is such a relief that at last PAFC can start to get back to being a football club once more. A glass of champagne for all!

Crash and Burn

Oxford United 5 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Not much to say really, probably quite inevitable despite some of the good performances of late, but the squad cannot hold up to the rigours of the league. But the heavy defeat, which is not that common unless you happen to be a United fan, is of additional note because in spite of the weakness of the squad, a loss by 4 goals has not happened before. And the performance of the squad on the day did not totally warrant a 1-5 outcome.

...Two Steps Back

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Swindon Town

Following the decision by PCC on repurchasing the ground, and the win away from home last week, it looked like Argyle were heading in the right direction. Until full time brought a loss. There was not much to shout about and Argyle neither really deserved to win or to lose, though until admin is over and the team can get more settled with more experienced players, the game is going to be very hit and miss.

Green Green Grass

Of Home Park. Plymouth City Council announced a landmark in the saga of the fall of Argyle today, they are prepared to buy back Home Park and lease it to who ever takes over the club. The £1.6m deal well see PCC buy back HP after selling it to the New World for £2.7m just 5 years ago and leasing it back for £135,000 a year, though this is actually pittance in the grand scheme of things. Thus the deal will anger many Plymothians who don;t give a flying fuck about PAFC and will just see their taxpayers money being squandered on a lost cause - just read the comments - and will divide the City of Plymouth (quite frankly like anything the council does) for a long time. However, with this hurdle overcome, the sale of PAFC should finally be complete within a few weeks. Hurrah!

Spot On

Dagenham & Redbridge 2 - 3 Plymouth Argyle

This time the penalty spot did not present the same problem as in the JPT, with Walton scoring the winning goal from 12 yards that salvaged the 3 points which have come as a shock and delight to the Green Army. Although once again Argyle had to do it the hard way by giving away a 2 goal lead. The lead came courtesy of Lecointe (who is the youngest player to score away from home on debut) and Hourihane, who scored from long range although his delight lasted 6 minutes as the inevitable equalisers came in both players had chances to snatch the points again. It fell to the 90th minute for senior player Walton to convert the penalty awarded by the assistant ref to ensure the Pilgrims went away with their first full marks and putting the Greens tantalisingly 2 points away to leaving the relegation zone.

Banned

The FL have now banned Argyle from acquiring loanees as well as its embargo on transfers, this is due to the continuation of the lack of payment to staff. 2 loanees that were due to sign have now been blocked from doing so. Thus it is even more imperative that ownership is sorted out for the club to go anywhere, because what we have is not good enough.

We'd quite like to apologise...

...for the delayed arrival of your football club at Home Park.

There are not more delays to be expected (more than the roadworks around various areas of Plymouth), as PCC debates Vivian Pengelly's quote stating the council could buy back Home Park and re-lease it to PAFC. Especially after the Taxpayers' Alliance branded it a waste of public money. Other delays would push Brent's bid back to the end of October, meaning the staff will probably have to accept yet another deferral of wages. The whole mess now has potential to have lasted a year, especially as many Plymouth citizens do not agree with the council spending tax payers money on a private firm when in times of cutbacks their taxes are funding fewer and fewer services, just check out the comments in the article to get a feel.

Happy Birthday

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 2 Accrington Stanley

Today PAFC was 125 years old, and a shame that the footballing gods could not have delivered a present of a stable club and 3 points. As it was the Green Army had to settle for just the one, after a shambolic second half performance that saw Argyle at 2-0 up concede two goals. Against 10 men too. Clearly 11 boys v 10 men because there was not a single shot on target during the whole 60 minutes that Argyle were an extra man up, and in front of an 8,000 highest of the season crowd. Even though Fletcher's win rate (1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw) is actually better than Reid's 1 draw, his tactics left little to desire by not making the most of the opportunity with the formation, and playing too much long high ball to under achieving forwards.

However, anyone for cake?

Happy? Anniversary

This Saturday marks the 125th anniversary of the founding of PAFC, and to coincide will see Fans ReUnited2. 125 years have seen many ups and downs for Argyle, and to be playing its anniversary in the 4th tier of the football league is galling. However, for many an outsider it is no more than Argyle's natural habitat. What's more shocking is that Argyle might not even live to be 126 years, although that threat has abated for a while, but there is still much more to be done for PAFC to still be in existence in the next few months, let alone another year. The anniversary shirt has not even been manufactured yet!

This Saturday's match vs Accrington Stanley (who? - remember that, it could easily been Plymouth Argyle) is specially priced at £12.5o per adult and £1.25 per child (who's a clever clogs?), so get to Home Park to see a special date in the history of the Pilgrims.

Oh Well

Crawley 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

To be expected really, one win does not mean survival, and Argyle are just not good enough for the league. Fletcher has changed a few things and trying to instil some team spirit - which shows - but the fact of the matter is that goals are what is needed.

Fans ReUnited

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 0 Macclesfield Town

So what was it? The change of management leading to a change of football style, the additional fans that turned up or just the odds? Argyle won! The Fans ReUnited day saw supporters of a myriad of clubs attend Home Park, not just those from Brighton who pumped the atmosphere right up, but Wednesday, Bristol, Torquay, Norwich, even Falkirk! ...and many more. And what's more it worked wonders on the pitch. With Ridsdale due to stand down as chairman cos he's no longer in the running for Director of Football following the collapse of the BIL bid, maybe, just maybe, things are going to start turning good.

Les Caretakeurs

Fletcher and Larrieu have been named caretaker manager and assistant respectively. Not much surprise there really. In the cold light of day - and yes I have mentioned this before - as Argyle weren't getting the results, any other manager would have been sacked if it weren't for the distractions off pitch. So Reid's sackings should not really come as a shock. Even if there were exceptional circumstances. However what are Fletch and Ro gonna do with this squad, and what is the new man going to do whilst he is still in the same situation as Reid with no money? Is this another turning point?

Bonne chance!

Argyle of Old

Southend United 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Again nu-Argyle get stuffed by the old Argyle. Not content with having an ex manager (who saw over part of the demise of the club) but two ex Argyle players scored the goals - including one who signed for a matter of days during this mess and buggered off due to non payment of wages. To top it call the skipper gets sent off for scraping with the opposition, in yet another match with saw the Greens down to the bones of their ass.

Ultimately though this has proved to be Reid downfall and was his last as manager of PAFC.

Reid Out

Following the new record of successive defeats, acting chairman Ridsdale has dismissed Peter Reid from his role as manager of PAFC. Ridsdale has cited that football is a results business and Argyle have not performed. However, considering that Reid had to work with what else could he really have done? Especially as he hasn't been paid either, sold his medal to raise funds and paid the heating bill! It now begs the question of who the hell would want to come down here for nothing to work with nothing? A fucked up decision by Ridsdale.

Who Now?

So more bids are coming in to takeover PAFC after Heaney allegedly has walked away from the club due to his claimed FA indecision. Some of these bidders have even wildly been claimed to be friends of Michael Jackson/Uri Geller! Even Jesus wouldn't take an interest in Argyle. But why are there suddenly more people hovering round - do the jackals smell a cadaver?

Same old Story Again

Barnet 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Not much to say really following yet another defeat, nothing's changed and nothing will because until Argyle is secured off pitch, the on pitch performance will not improve. There is no money and no security to buy and retain players to form any sort of team that can compete, even at this level. In fact, considering Argyle are adrift at the wrong end of the table over the drop out of the league, many would Argyle fans prefer relegation to extinction.

Welcome to 3 Points

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 2 Port Vale

Argyle just don't - and never have had - the skills and aptitude to be in the league they're are in. When in the Championship, the team were mainly L1 players, when relegated to L1 the team's ability fell to L2 level, and now in L2 we're playing at Conference ability. And that's where Argyle will end up, because there is now no hard-done by feeling at a loss, just a resignation that they won't score and that's that then. The players are playing their hearts out, but they're heads aren't in it. Until something is sorted off the field, every Saturday is just going through the motions. And those motions are giving the opposition 3 points of a plate every game.

Fans ReUnited

24/09 Home Park

Protest day in conjunction with Brighton and Hove Albion

More details from TwoHundredPercent

Can the Green Army make a difference?

The Wage of a Football Club

Statement from P&AP re the strike/payment of staff:

Statement from The P&A Partnership re Plymouth Argyle Football Company Limited (in administration)

The joint administrators of Plymouth Argyle Football Company Limited (in administration) have confirmed that all staff (both players and other employees) have today (2 September 2011) been paid 40 per cent of their September wages on the basis of an agreement that they will continue to work up to and including 15 September 2011.

The money has been paid direct into their bank accounts today.

The P&A Partnership would like to stress that legal formalities are taking longer than anticipated to complete.

However, Bishop International Ltd and Plymouth (125) Limited have both stated that they remain confident that they will be able to conclude the transaction shortly.

Why has it taken a threat of a strike by players for this to happen? Where has the money suddenly come from? Twohundredpercent have written yet another excellent article about the situation. All round the players have caused high profile publicity for the club that hopefully could work to resolving the situation much sooner.

Gone for a Burton

Burton Albion 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

In the end the players did not go ahead with their strike following the paying of 40% of the staff's wages, though there was a bigger crowd of press at the game following the national exposure. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they witnessed the fruits of the Argyle situation. Reid has admitted there is a lack of fire power in the squad, but there is very little he can do about it except work with who he has got, though they made a concerted effort. Goals win games and the Pilgrims' squad, as it stands, simply cannot come up with enough of them and they remain 4 points adrift at the bottom of the football ladder.

Going for a Burton

So the players who proposed the strike have gone to Burton, on the understanding that they and the staff with receive 40% of their wages for September by the end of yesterday. It therefore remains to be seen whether that assurance has been proved and thus the players do actually run out on the pitch. At the moment Guilfoyle has gone AWOL having taken a break due to exhaustion, Heany is blaming the Football League for the delays, and the FL are, well, who knows? But now the plight of Argyle has reached national attention, people have started to reach the end of their tethers. Unfortunately, there is still no end in sight.

Everybody Out

Argyle's plight finally reached national attention when Sky Sports News, having run out of anything of interest to do with the Premier League/Deadline Day, got whiff of the possibility of a players' strike. Fletcher and Larrieu and the other senior team members are deciding whether to cut their losses and strike tomorrow instead of playing against Burton, and along with Reid gave a lengthy press conferance at Marjon where the squad train. Spokesman Fletcher, backed by Reid, have declared that enough is enough and the players cannot go on after yet another month of no wages and 'hollow promises' from the administrator and bidders, and quite frankly who can blame them when living of nothing but savings for 3/4 of the year?

£389,095,000

Spent in the summer transfer window by Premier League clubs.

As of 21.30 on 31/08 with 1 hour 30 mins left.

Who says football's all money orientated?

12 yards

That's all that was left between Argyle and advancement in the JPT, three worth's of 12 yards too. And yet not one penalty hit the target.

Exeter City 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle (3-0 pens)

And so the Greens are out of yet another cup tournament ('let's concentrate on the league', 'it's only a pot of paint' - only 300ish of the Green Army actually made the trip 42 miles up the road, and when some staunch supporters have got so disenfranchised with the franchise, who can really blame them?) at exactly the same point and against exactly the same team as last year. And though Argyle fought well to get back on level pegging, surely questions need to be asked that not one player could score from 12 yards with only one defender in the way? And yet this is what we have got, and save from a few loanees and free agents, the transfer window close very soon. Without the ratification of the football league, yet another deadline has been missed by the administration/takeover team and these players are who the Green Army will have to trust in - if they have a club to support at in the first place. Maybe it's inexperience, youth or nerves, but unfortunately struggles and frustrations like this, which are becoming expected, will be the norm.

Strongest Team in the Football League

It's official Argyle are holding the whole football league up after being plunged rock bottom following

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Crewe

The on-pitch woes continue as Argyle lacked any bite back against Crewe, this suffering yet another home defeat. The off-pitch actions have and still have wide reaching repercussions and goes some way to proving that money does buy success or you can't make a silk's purse with a sow's ear. This is Argyle's sixth successive home defeat - the last time that happened was 1947 and show's no sign of any improvement. Without the distraction of the very existence of the club, supporters would now be questioning Reid's ability, who has not been able to make any Argyle side - with or without experienced players - work. Even so, the end of the transfer window is only a week away, and it is very very unlikely that any players will be brought in except for possibly free agents that no one else wants. Or maybe they're saving up for Luka Modric?

BIL of Health

Statement from The P&A Partnership, re: Plymouth Argyle Football Company Limited (in administration):

"The joint administrators of Plymouth Argyle Football Company Limited (in administration) are satisfied that Bishop International Limited has secured the necessary funding and everything is agreed between the numerous parties.

"Solicitors are now working to finalise the documentation and complete the sale to Bishop International Limited / Plymouth Argyle (125) Limited.

"Brendan Guilfoyle said: 'This has been a complex deal involving a dozen stakeholders. I am very grateful for the assistance I have received from everyone involved in the sale.

"'I can now look forward to the new club obtaining the share from the Football League and retaining their status as a Football League member club'.

http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2433309,00.html

So a deal has been struck with Bishop International Ltd, and on the proviso that contracts are signed and then ratified by the Football League, Argyle might just have been saved...

D Day

Since Wednesday approximately 50 people have been holding a vigil at Home Park. They have lit 124 candles - one for each year of the clubs existence, with 125th due to be lit when the club is finally secure. However, there is very little optimism around amongst Argyle fans that the Greens will exist by 17.00 today and many fans Facebook statuses reflect this. If it does pan out for the worst Argyle will be the first club to cease to exist during a season. Any trust that ever existed in Guilfoyle or Ridsdale has evaporated into the same contempt shown to Stapleton et al, even if the takeover does limp over the finishing line, I don't see much true support is going to be directed towards the directors' box.

We await.

Pilgrims' Regress

Who better than an outsider looking in to perfectly summarise the complete quagmire that is PAFC and try to make some sense of it:

TwoHundredPercent Part 1
TwoHundredPercent Part 2

No way Back

Gillingham United 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

As has been the norm for ages, once the Greens concede there's no going back. The heads drop and the fighting spirit evaporates. Even more so now the team is full of youngsters who have very little professional league football experience - the knowledge of losing, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding their future has a bad effect on the pitch. Once the Gills had got one, you knew it would be hard to come back, 2 and it was all over. Even more so the fact that Argyle were down to 10 men and first came from the resultant penalty.

The Gills summary includes

"I can't recall Flitney having anything of note to do against a young inexperienced Plymouth team that offered very little other than enthusiasm. They chased and harried and made it difficult for us to create anything but that was about all."

"First half we were ineffective against a very week Plymouth team (they will go down if they don't go bust)"

"3-0 but could and probably should have been 6-0."

The second comment is a real reality. There appears to be no way out of the mess that surrounds the club; off the pitch or on it.

Paint Trophy 2011

Argyle have drawn 'big club' Exter City away in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to be played on either Tue 30 or Wed 31 August. A repeat of last year's defeat on the horizon?

When will it all End?

For crying out load, just when will this complete shambles of a "take over" end? Yet again the 'Irish consortium' of Bishop International has failed to provide significant funds to even pay the staff forcing them to accept a deferment yet again. However, even Guilfoyle's get tough tactic was thrown out by the courts. So unfortunately for any Green Army member, the saga of PAFC will rumble on for a fair time to come.

Not the Best Outcomes

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Millwall [LC]
Plymouth Argyle 1 - 4 Rotherham United

Not the best kick off to football at the Theatre of Greens, but is there much that can be expected from a team that has not much experience? And what incidentally has happened to Larrieu? Following his testimonial year and decision to stay, Reid has not played him favouring Cole instead. At any rate those that attended the Millwall game gave a good account of the lads that Millwall were not that good and there for the taking, but Argyle history would have predicted that the first foray into the League Cup always ends up in a humiliating dumping out at the earliest opportunity. The reverse however was the feeling verses Rotherham. Literally men against the boys. With Reid summarising as 'suicide football', especially at the home team took the lead - but the passing was all right! Walton has vowed that the same mistakes won't happen again, but you can probably assume it will. The game saw yet another débutante - Will Atkinson - the 22 year old on loan from Hull, who actually scored Argyle's one and only goal. It will be a long hard season, maybe things will click right soon. Maybe.

Start as you mean to go On

Shrewsbury Town 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

A draw start to the season from the Greens, a good start I suppose considering 1. it's not a loss and 2. it's good enough for the team considering what's gone on. Reid had to field 5 players that have never played in league football, 9 that had never played for Argyle before and in a team who's average age was only 22 - Larrieu didn't even feature and skipper Fletcher - at 31 - was the oldest in the XI. The Green Army had to wait the full 90 minutes to be rewarded by a screaming goal from Fletcher, though Shrewsbury only managed their opener at 69 minutes. There is obviously a lot that needs to be done before Argyle can be considered any force in the league, but fair plays to the lads they did alright.

Ticket Prices 2011/12

Argyle have released the ticket prices for pay on the day for the forthcoming season.

There will be no POTD levy, thus all prices are set at:

Adult - £20
Over 65 - £15
Under 18 - £7
Family (1+1) - £25

for anywhere in the stadium, except the disabled stand.

This has simplified the POTD structure, whereby before you used to get a discount for buying in advance and pay more for premium compared to standard seating, however, like the season ticketing there had been losses and cuts to previously available tickets. For example a family ticket has shrunk to 1 adult + 1 child (from 2+2), there are no student or under 21 discounts, and the under 18 and under 10 tariffs are the same. This has already caused annoyance at previous ST holders who came under these brackets, and thus will cause more outrage that they cannot even get a POTD discounted ticket.

The Squad 2011/12

The squad as it stands so far:

1 Romain LARRIEU
2 Durrell BERRY

3 Robbie WILLIAMS
4 Carl FLETCHER
5 Stephane ZUBAR
6 Curtis NELSON
7 Luke DALEY
8 Simon WALTON
10 Tom HITCHCOCK
12 GREEN ARMY
13 Ladjie SOUKOUNA
14 Onismor BHASERA
15 Luke YOUNG
16 Jamie RICHARDS
17 Jared SIMS
18 Jordan COPP
23 Jake COLE

That is just 5 first team players left from last season.

The Name's Bond...

...W H Bond.

The new kit and sponsors have been revealed just in time for the new season in Argyle tradition of waiting till the last minute. The new Puma made green home and white away kits will bear Cornish family business W H Bond Timbers' name for the season, with future sponsorship dependant upon on pitch performance.



The new all green kit will please many fans, especially as the much derided red Ginsters logo has been consigned to history and the Bond Timber logo fits in well with no jarring colour contrast, although Ginsters are still alleged to have interest in the club.

However, it's not without the usual puzzlement that eminates from Home Park as of late. What does Ridsdale mean when he said:

"When we spoke to WH Bond & Sons about our predicament [regarding lack of kit], the first thing they did - which I think is an indication of a relationship that is outstanding - is they wrote a cheque so that we will have a kit to play in.

"Not only against Shrewsbury, but also in home games coming forward before - ultimately - the main kit that we are hoping to play in for the rest of the season will arrive."

So what - ultimately - is the main kit they are hoping to play in?

Season Tickets 11/12

Details of the season tickets for 2011/12 have been released:

Adult: £240
Over 65s: £260
10-17 year olds: £120
Family (1+1): £380

for anywhere in Home Park (different prices apply for the disabled stand)

Under 10: Free, when sat in the Family Stand (block 1), maximum of 2 children per adult

There will be no STs sold in blocks 15-19. The deadline for renewal of an existing seat is Fri 22 July.

Thus, in comparison to last season there has only been a £20 reduction in price to reflect the relegation in league, the family ticket has shrunk with the elimination of the 2+2 option. Once again Argyle have shown very little thought for its supporters, and, although better than the increase in prices last season following a relegation, supporters are still paying MORE than they were when watching Argyle TWO DIVISIONS higher.

Zoo Closure

Following the announcement regarding season tickets, it is noted that no STs will be sold for blocks 15-18 due to safety and security reasons, effectively meaning that yet another part of Home Park is being closed down. Now that means that along with the Mayflower and 4 blocks, nearly 1/3rd of HP is out of bounds to supporters.

League 2 away crowds are never that big, especially the travelling support so 5 blocks for the opposition is over accommodating and will mean that in the majority of cases only 2/5ths of their allocations will be sold, thus with what will be a smaller home following, probably nearing 1/2th of the ground will only be occupied for the majority of the time.

The thinking probably being along these lines that it's better to concentrate fewer supporters in a smaller area, however ST holders and supporters have been shifted without care for the second time now, from Mayflower to Zoo Corner to wherever, causing a lot of ill feeling. And considering there's only been a £20 reduction in cost of a ST since last year (and what, if you work out the saving of a ST over the number of games, is only about £2 for POTD), a number of people will be saying 'sod it' to the Greens.

Le Keeper's Testimonial

It's Romain Larrieu's testimonial year and events of Le Testimonial will kick off soon.

On the 1st July there will be a Special Guest Evening, Gala Ball and Celebrity Golf match.

Le Testimonial match is on Wednesday 20 July at Home Park v QPR, 7.45pm.
Tickets Adult £14 . Under 18 £7 . Over 65 £7 . Under 10 £4 (with £2 reduction for last season's season ticket holders, to be bought by 19th July)

More details can be found at Le Testimonial website.

Romain made his 300th appearance last season and as become a bastillion of the club, having been named club captain. As a constant presence at the club, Romain has remained loyal through the ups and downs, and thus deserves a great reception from the Green Army.

Out with the New

Argyle have decided to revert to the 'traditional' club crest, casting aside the New World's offering of the circular badge containing the Mayflower Crest. However, there are a few modifications in order to celebrate 125 years of the club.

The news will please many Argyle fans who have called for the removal of the new badge - and mostly cos it's been tainted with the New World fiasco and looked a copy cat of many other clubs badges.

The 125 version features gold trim and an extra banner at the top. Maybe after this celebratory season, the crest will revert to the plainer green/black/white design.

Fixtures

Some news!
After nearly a month of nothing except administration/mystery bidders/selling players/staff not being paid ... basically the same old crap. There's some news - something to look forward to. Well maybe not, because the fixtures came out today and all it does is remind you of how lowly Argyle have stooped.

First up is the league cup, which cause Argyle are unseeded, they've drawn Millwall at home (full list).
Second is the full league fixtures, which can be found here. Highlights include Rovers on Boxing Day, the Devon Derby I in November at Plainmoor the return being New Year Bank Holiday;first game is away to Shrewsbury followed by first home to Rotherham and ending at home to Cheltenham. Maybe the only plus is the travelling distance will be so much less, and there are just a handful of Tuesday night games.

This is assuming Argyle exist, as the bidders are still shrouded in secrecy - why? At this going rate, Argyle'll be starting on -10 points, and a further drop will be a potential reality.

Oh What a Surprise

Ridsdale has bought the club.

CVA-Accepted

Last Friday Argyle's creditors agreed to the CVA and accept less than a pound return for every £1 invested in the club. That hurdle over with, the next is the announcement of the preferred bidder - who is rumoured to be neither of the forerunners so far.

Following the end of season 1-4 blow-out loss to Orient in traditional Argyle style, now begins the process of rebuilding (yet again) the club both on and off the pitch for the start of life in League Two in a few month's time. Certainly the 60% of income cap on wages will be interesting to watch being played out, with many players still on Championship wages. A few will most certainly be leaving, and already loanee and first choice keeper, Button, has returned to Spurs following the end of his contract. And so another era in the history of Argyle is set to begin. Let's hope it's done correctly this time.

10 Years

10 years ago in 2001/02 Argyle escaped from the 4th tier of football (then known as Division 3), 2 "5 year plans"' worth of time, just to end up back at square one (well, npower League 2, not quite Blue Square One - yet). In fact, Argyle's wikipedia entry has already been updated! Was it worth is? Has anything actually been learnt?

It took the Pilgrims 4 years following their relegation in 97/98 to climb back out of Division 3/League 2, then a consolidation year in Division 2/League 1 before reaching the dizzying heights of the Championship. How soon is the comeback going to happen this time? As we all know it is no one's god-give right to play at any expected tier of football (outside the more established Premier League teams where they have preferential treatment anyway); there were expecting a bounce-back on relegation to League One and no doubt the same are expecting an immediate come back this time. But Argyle are not like that as history foretells.

Meanwhile, the actual existence of Argyle in League 2 is still not guaranteed. Whoever updated wikipedia may have been too quick off the mark.

You've Never Had it so Good

A misquote by PM Harold MacMillan, sometimes atttributed to Margaret Thatcher. MacMillan was of course talking about post war 1957 Britain that the Conservatives had built and we all know what came of them. Similarly a few years ago the Green Army had never has it so good; the club were riding high in the 2nd tier of English football with a bright manager and a youngish up and coming team, but yet on the verge of a second successive relegation, this time into the 4th tier of the football pyramid, as Liam Byrne wrote to his successor at the demise of NuLabour, 'Sorry, there's no money left'.

During the flying high times, the board were lamenting the 'never had it so good' message to all, with promises of Premier League football and a(nother) 5 year plan, and many believed it. Though as is clear to all the personal greed of those in charge, the reluctance to let go or seek investment, got in the way of the real goal of a football club - success. Instead, as even now in administration, property development took over. The World Cup bid was in the main a quick fix way of getting the stadium finished, and the surrounding area covered in money making property, and when that inevitable fell, as there was no longer any strong footballing foundation, the club crumbled. Even still, the direction Guilfoyle looks to be sending the club appears to be the same, with no attempt to market the club to anyway, and only property developers interested.

And so, as Argyle head into another history repeating recession, how long before the Green Army have never had it so good again?

We'll Never Play you Again

How often words come back to bite you on the arse, especially those that sang the song at Exeter all those years ago. Well now it looks like the shoe'll be on the other foot as Argyle are teetering on the edge of League One, with one dainty push to send them plummeting down to oblivion. As it is the escape clause involves Argyle winning verses Southampton (who are still pushing for Championship promotion following Huddersfield's win) and Orient, and everyone else losing. Thus, relegation is odds on. The second Devon derby, Argyle lost 1-0, though the rumours doing round Exeter's home pub were that it was 1-1 just before full time, mean that Argyle may very well not being playing Exeter for a while, but the wrong way round. Following two impressive wins, the inconsistency of the team reared its head again, when the Greens could really show any fight in the last 5 minutes.

Meanwhile in Home Park, precious little is happening regarding finding an investor, with the Trust, Guilfoyle and others hedging their eggs in one basket of J Brent; though Buttivant has now offered a future that squares more with what the fans want his bid is being publicly derided by those with the sway. The list of PAFC creditors was published recently and is a telling one, if printed full size, it would have taken up 2-3 sides of a tabloid paper, meaning the debt is in the region of £17m. As Argyle look like they've buggered up survival in the league, will survival in the world end in the same fate?

Here come another one

Not 1 but now 2 new potential bidders for PAFC, making a total of 3 possible new owners - aren't we being spoilt(!?) Once you got settled with the idea of Brent taking the reins, along came Bullivant, and now an unnamed Irish consortium. However, so far only Brent has satisfied Guilfoyle he has the necessary funds, with Bullivant poised to make his swoop for the club this week. More delay, less public interest?

Was it Worth it?

Leyton Orient 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Was the result worth the wait after weeks of no game? Argyle needed to win to give any hope of survival in League One, but now double relegation is almost nailed on. So with the problems of L1 still being in evident, the potential problems of L2 will soon be added - especially the 60% turnover cap on player wages. Potentially Torquay and Exeter will be the higher league playing clubs in the county, whilst the Pilgrims have drowned in the football pyramid. The 5 year plan is truly looking like a duck's ass now.

1%

All 220 creditors owed by Argyle are to be offered 1p for every £1 of their investment - or even less! 75% of those companies need to agree to this Company Voluntary Arrangement to stop Argyle from being liquidated. Wonder how many will tell 'em to poke it?

Dodgems

Just when you think Argyle are going in one direction, bang!, and off they go in another. The bid from Truro FC's Heaney has fallen through - much to the delight of many of the Green Army who publicly castigated the bid (on the premise that he was just a guise for Todd, Gardener and co). And incomes Brent. Not too sure who James is, except that he served on some Plymouth development board, and is interested in property - like all the other bids. A bit of digging (OK, nicking) reveals Brent formed Akkeron - a real estate/hotel/farming/regeneration-type-business - and is head of Citibank, which includes Ridsdale and involved in bids for Cardiff, Hull and Charlton. Brent was allegedly introduced to PAFC through Plymouth City Council. But even so, wait for the next bumper car to come along and the Pilgrims will go flying off in another direction, so don't get too happy or attached to any idea until something actually happens. However, what is most evident is that all this is so boring that people are starting to lose interest, including me.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Anyone have any idea what's happening? Peter Reid was interviewed in today's People newspaper; he states that he has a squad of 13 - 3 of whom are goalkeepers - there's no money to fine players for being late etc, and no one has been paid since December (even still the FA are levying their fines). Meanwhile the news from Home Park and Guilfoyle is deafening by its absence. The preferred bidder has still not been announced with any press conferences being confined to cut backs and redundancies; there's some sort of problem with the bidders not being as confident in themselves or the club to take over immediately or to pay the staff before the end of the season. So what have the un-magnificent 7 actually done to a club once lamented as being well run? To reduce it to one run on pride and fans' charity, and to make it so impossible for someone to take over easily? Guilfoyle still maintains that it is possible for the club to be liquidated, which is no comfort for anyone especially when you have no idea what's going on and if any effort is actually worth it.

Chris Dawson

How revealing that CDS supremo Chris Dawson has invested in Yeovil Town, when, at the height of the problems with Argyle when asked he stated he was not a football person, and would never consider investing in Argyle. So why the sudden change of heart, and what is so wrong with the Greens that he would set his sights on the greens 72 miles away and not those on his doorstep?

Perry & Croft

The happenings at Argyle are akin to a Perry and Croft ilk of sitcom.

Home Park is turning into such a French farce ('Allo 'Allo); none of the bidders are willing to pay the staff until the end of the season, forcing them to accept contacts deferring pay or get lost (and not get JSA due to making themselves unemployed!). This thus raises the question of why anyone is bidding - is it just to acquire an asset at a cut down price and sod the football/staff/supporters, or are they not financially affluent as they should be to support a football club - and thus just resuming the cycle that has dogged Argyle for years/decades/centuries? Others demand that PCC take pack Home Park, but with most of the city not giving two hoots about PAFC, and after their expenditure on an Olympic sized swimming pool (Hi-di-Hi), that ain't ever gonna happen. Even so, all the bidders are property-centric allegedly, so HP will be the biggest asset, so never mind the football club. Will the new lot cut off the branches that keep PAFC Ltd alive (Oh! Dr Beeching) too?

But 'Don't Panic Mr Mainwaring!' (Dad's Army) says Guilfoyle, although the HMRO are pushing for a football club to be liquidated and wound up, Brendan is adamant that won't happen to Argyle.

Meanwhile the Trust is sitting round trying to do something but isn't sure what - their demands are for the new owners of the club to co-operate with them, but they are still very new with little funds and no way to represent their members outside of Plymouth in decision making save for a closed message board that has banned a portion of the members. Yet the heart is in the right place, but will it be just a case sucking up to their betters - the directors (You Rang M'Lord?), rather than a proper representation of the fans?

What'll happen next? Monday is the next milestone, with the club's creditors due to start to respond to deals. 'Glass of water for Mr Grainger' (Are you Being Served?).

Something goes in Argyle's Favour!

Carlisle 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

In spite of the draw, Argyle are not bottom of the league. In fact they're 3rd from bottom, above Bristol Rovers and Swindon. All three clubs are on 33 points, but Rovers have a worse goal difference and Swindon comes after Plymouth! Argyle are still chasing Walsall and Dagenham by 3 points, and Yeovil by 5 points to guarantee not dropping another league.

Guil-foyle's War

Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle has started the process of slimming the club down and recovering money to pay creditors. His first move has to close down Centre Spot and make 15 staff redundant. I hope the board are ashamed of what they've done to those who gave their all to the club and now have no hope of getting any money they have been owed in recent months, but I fear that with the rumours and quotes going around, they have the cheek to actually want to be involved in the take over bids! Unbelievable, but no so when you consider how money grabbingly greedy they have all been. Let's hope that none of the vultures get their mitts on Argyle, neither do they get any of the return from Guilfoyle they've hoping for.

St Peter

Reid that is. Could this man have secured legendary status at PAFC? Even more so than Sturrock, who has since tarnished his reputation with is second tenure. Although Reid has not set the Pilgrims alight and got them back to Championship football, he has worked with a poorly constructed team after all. However, he has not been paid, and yet his has paid for the staff to keep warm at Home Park, he is donating his medal to raise money for the club, and now has finally got on the way to getting the results on the pitch with three wins on the row. Reid has to have come out of this sorry mess with some sort of recognition for his efforts.

Three in a Row

Plymouth Argyle 1 - Swindon Town

The third successive win in a row lists Argyle off the bottom of the table - something to be happy about! If such results carry on, there is a hope of survival in League One rather than a doomed relegation down to the fourth tier. It's a juxtaposition that when Argyle playedd the good football they lost, but are grinding out results with poorer performances. But at the end of the day, it's the final score that counts.

Another Suitcase in Another Hall

Many times in the history of Argyle comes the question 'so what happens now?'. Managers leave, boards leave, players leave. But nothing as big as administration has (in living memory) happened before. So what happens now?

Obviously, Argyle still play - fighting for survival in League One, rather than survival full stop. Which is all that can happen, as, until the administrator has done his stuff, nothing can happen. Once creditors have been paid off as far as possible, a new board needs to be sought. What does this mean day to day for fans?

What happens to the free buses on home days (currently paid for by supporters association)? What happens to coaches to away days (currently paid for by supporters again)?
What happens to the football special tickets on Great Western? Presumable FGW are not being reimbursed the difference, so why should they still offer the deal.
What happens on home match days? The ticket prices will be what? What'll happen to the staff and stewarding, and police and ambulance cover, and catering? They're not being paid, why should they provide the service?
What happens to Centre Spot in the mall, and the merchandising?
What happens to the sponsorship deals? Presumably no one will touch Argyle with a barge pole any more.

Who knows until it happens.
Let's all just go to Buenos Aires for the streets are paved with gold.

A Fighting Corpse?

Sheffield Wednesday 2 - 4 Plymouth Argyle

The players haven't been paid, and don't look like they're going to, the club existing in terms of lists of creditors at the moment, relegation following a deduction of 10 points was most certain, and yet the Greens pull off two incredible wins to bring a brighter ray of hope that all is not totally lost. A quirk of football with the results going in the right direction will see Argyle survive the drop to League Two oblivion, and confirm a slightly better foundation for whomever takes over.

End of the Beginning

"This may not be the end, this may not be the beginning of the end but it may perhaps be the end of the beginning" Winston Churchill

Argyle finally, though quicker than expected, went into administration today. Not that it wasn't unexpected, but it finally means that the greedy directors who led the club into the mire have finally gone, hopefully never to darken the doors of Home Park again. There are apparently 3 parties interested in PAFC, who wouldn't touch it whilst the current directors still had their mitts on the place, which should now hopefully come forward with a more coherent, football-fan orientated business plan. The thought that the (now ex-)directors really believed they can have some involvement in nu-Argyle is laughable, but now even they should get their comeuppance in the loss of any hoped for returns. However, the other creditors - namely local business, staff, the Youth Trust etc - will be the biggest losers. What hope is there now of investment from the local area if and when nu-Argyle is launched? At least Argyle still exist, just. And the bunch of wasters should be long banished from the Theatre of Greens.

I got to the Foot of our Stairs

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 1 Colchester United

In shock!

Who'd have thought that wining would still be possible, given the amount if shite that's happening in the club is severly affecting the on pitch action. In spite of all that's happened, the staff and players working for free, and a player sent off, a well placed penalty - the first awarded to Argyle all season - saw 3 very valuable points for the Greens, which now see them just 5 points off safety. Is this a last gasp?

Desert Rats

After "administration is not an option" administration is very much the option following the notice of intention, which triggered the 10 point deduction ensuring League Two football next season, that's if a buyout happens within 10 days. After Gardener and Todd deserted the rapidly sinking ship at Christmas, Kagami and Synan deserted when their promised money never materialised, Stapleton has deserted to the desert with a holiday to Dubai. The poor man hasn't been able to enjoy his holiday due to the inconvenience of his own actions on his toy; he hasn't even been in the sea yet! Add in that Barclays have refrozen the club's bank account and thus no one is getting paid. Still on the bright side the desperate need to asset strip means you can pick up a replica short for £10.

In all truth, I expect that the majority of the city and south west couldn't give two hoots if Argyle cease to exist by the end of the week, but that is because the club has always been at odds with the public, and those what had caught the bug have been let down on numerous occasions. Gordon Sparks stated that this is not the first tome that Argyle have been on the brink, and like everything that happens at the Greens, there's nothing new under the sun. The supporters have been let down successively by various boards, and as usual it will be them that suffers. Especially considering the amount of money that they have donated through to the club - such as the Trust loan - what will become of that now?

Stapleton Speaks

http://theduchessofderriford.blogspot.com/

:)

Plymouth with it all to do

Plymouth Argyle are facing a real battle to not just stay in League One, but also to stay in existence. Following a run of five consecutive league losses, the news today that the club is due to be docked ten points by the FA after admitting that it has started to take steps towards appointing an administrator will have come as a real blow to their chances of staving off relegation this season. After that point deduction, Argyle will find themselves five points behind Dagenham & Redbridge who currently occupy the bottom spot in the table, and manager Peter Reid admits that from there, it will take "championship-winning form" to beat the drop.

The good news, if there is any at present, is that the club still has time to do something about their fate – although it would require something around ten of their remaining fifteen remaining fixtures to stand any chance of collating the points that they will need to continue playing League One football next season – and although this is unlikely, they aren't mathematically relegated just yet. Anyone looking to bet on football wouldn't back them to escape though.

This feat will be made all the more difficult by the fact that the players and staff are yet to be paid for their efforts in January. It's easy to ask that all the playing squad simply look after matters on the pitch, and let the moneymen take care of what happens off it, but if they are failing to be paid for the work they have put in to date, there is precious little motivation other than playing well in a bid to be snapped up by another professional side. Meanwhile, the Notts Forest betting suggests the former League One side are set to head off to Premier League glory.

Former boss, Ian Holloway has spoken of his sympathies for Peter Reid and his squad's plight this season, but such sentiments will do little to assuage the rage felt by the Plymouth fans – in 2007 Holloway tipped them for promotion to the Premiership before leaving to join Leicester. But at least with the administration process starting, there is no chance of the Pilgrims being wound-up this season – and next year, albeit from League Two, they can once more begin their assault on the summit of English football.

The latest on Plymouth’s financial trouble

It was announced this morning that Plymouth Argyle would enter administration due to their inability to pay a large tax bill owed to HMRC of around £300,000, due tomorrow. The club will incur a ten point penalty which will take them into the relegation zone and eight points from safety and bottom of the league.

The club posted a notice highlighting their intention of appointing an administrator to deal with the implications of going into administration. Having been subjected to three winding up orders already from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the club now look to have admitted defeat in the fight to avoid a point’s deduction.

Plymouth now have ten days to appoint an administrator or find someone willing to invest in the club. Peter Ridsdale will now work alongside David Hinchliffe from Walker Morris Solicitors in the search for a suitable party.

Supporters had been given hope when Ridsdale announced the club had cleared a tax bill of around £500,000 in January.

The notice of intention means the club are protected from creditors and won’t face a winding up order from HMRC. The players are still awaiting wages from January having received their November and December wages late.

It is an all-time low for the club having fallen from the Championship last season.

To lighten the mood, why not check out bigfreebet. Those over at big free bet have information on all sports betting.

8,836

Disgraceful attendance, shit support... are the cries of those who saw

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 AFC Bournemouth.

It's a cry that's echoed though Plymouth for years, and when are those shouters going to learn they're wasting their breath? Plymothians, Devonians and the Cornish - for they are the club's catchment area - are fed up with Argyle and just don't give a toss any more. They're fed up of weekly being issued with rallying calls, fed up of if they turn up paying £20+ just to watch a loss, fed up of being castigated by 'proper fans' for being 'part timers', fed up of watching the best players being sold, fed up of the board mismanaging the club, fed up of the lack of ambition. They've seen it all before, history repeating and see there's no point in putting time, money and effort in to something that'll never give a good return. Plymouth is no hot bed of football, and it's always been like that. Nothing will change until the club make people sit up and take notice by actually living up to the promises for once.

Plymouth eye up Fallon sale

Plymouth Argyle are looking for potential buyers for striker Rory Fallon as they look to avoid financial ruin. The Pilgrims need to raise cash to avoid going under and had looked to have secured the sale of striker Bradley Wright-Phillips to Reading. However the move broke down after the former Southampton man failed a medical and he has yet to return to action.

Fallon returned to Argyle’s front line after a two month loan spell at Ipswich came to an end prematurely on Monday, and he returned to the side to play in the 3-1 victory over MK Dons. The New Zealand international also led the line on Saturday against Charlton.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale admitted the club have had no offers for Fallon as yet, but said he was pleased with his performance against MK Dons. He said: “I have had no expressions of interest in Rory since he came back, although it's early days.”

“I think his presence as a target man made a big difference against MK Dons, so it was good to have him back."

The club’s focus is now on a return to court on February 9th, where the club must prove their ability to pay a £760,000 debt to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and any deals for both Fallon and Wright-Phillips will go some way to paying the debt. Despite the financial problems surrounding the club, they currently sit in 15th and are 6 points above the relegation zone, although football betting patterns have seen the club emerge as favourites to join the relegation scrap.

Meanwhile Wright-Phillips has been cleared to return to action after seeing a specialist in London. The striker has suffered from chronic knee problems since he signed from Southampton in 2009 and has now agreed a new training schedule to aide his return.

Next up in the league are Bournemouth, who won the corresponding fixture 3-0 earlier this month. Football bets are likely to be placed in the favour of the second placed club.

Build you Up...

...to Tear you down.

MK Dons 1 - 3 Plymouth Argyle
Charlton Athletic 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

A Brazilian performance midweek at the rearranged game at Franchise FC, followed by a loss at the weekend in spite of a bit of passion by the players - which was refreshing to see. Though the amount of inconsistency around Home Park, which face it is frankly not new, is a huge problem now for Reid. If the Greens are to stand any chance of survival in the League One, and especially if administration deducts 10 points in a few weeks, then picking up as many points as possible is the only goal.

The recent VAT increase, meaning and extra 50p on ticket prices, is hardly going to help get people through the gates to watch what, at many times, is at best a mediocre game. All players need to play for the sake of the shirt against the odds rather than individuals in the shop windows, which in this day and age of football is virtually unheard of where money is abundant elsewhere and players follow the cash. Trouble is, such is Argyle's luck, that when they put up a good fight, like the Charlton game, they still end up losing!

Argyle on the brink of financial meltdown

No, that isn't just a dramatic headline designed to turn heads, it is the exact words of the man tasked with digging Plymouth out of large financially induced hole.
Despite the midweek win over MK Dons giving fans hope of light at the end of the tunnel, Peter Reid will once again see his team dismantled as the Argyle board desperately try to balance the books.

Peter Ridsdale, hardly a man who inspires confidence when it comes to financial management, has been blunt in his appraisal of the club's current plight.

"The one thing that I don't think has got through to Argyle supporters is this club is on the brink of meltdown financially... Unless I can raise enough money to get through the season this club could go out of existence," he said.

Nearly £550,000 has been raised already this month with the sales for Craig Noone, defender Reda Johnson and striker George Donnelly and it must be galling for Peter Reid to contemplate further departures from an already paper-thin squad. Fans would no doubt keep an eye on the live score goalwire than the books, but the financial reality of things is starting to hit home.

Reid is unable to buy anyone either as a transfer embargo is still in place until a £265,000 tax bill is settled, despite the Pilgrims paying £1 million back to the HMRC already in recent weeks.

The one positive to come out of the current situation is the performance of the players in that magnificent win in Milton Keynes – a side with the best home record in League One. Sometimes a backs-to-the-wall mentality and spirit, no doubt encouraged by a battler like Reid, can yield positive results even in the most testing of circumstances. The latest football scores seem to be swining in the Pilgrims' favour, and perhaps this change in fortunes will be reflected off the pitch.

Argyle will need to sum up much more of that spirit in the coming weeks as their battles continue - both on and off the pitch.

Gary II

This time last year I wrote about a mate of mine:

I have a friend who used to be quite an ardent Argyle fan. But not any more. He hasn't set foot inside Home Park for years. On the occasions we have discussed this his reason has been twofold. Namely, that they don't come and see him when he is bad, and that the good players are always being sold off. So, New World, as you supposedly want to know why the Plymouth public don't give a crap, here's your answer. Now what are you going to do about it?

Argyle, having become even worse since then, have been a topic of many a conversation on a Monday or Wednesday. I have subsequently found out that 'ardent fan' included several social occasions with players and managers, and some 'you scratch my back I'll scratch yours' business dealings, home and away games for many years. Yet even more so now he doesn't give a fuck about his local team beyond looking out for the score and a discussion over a pint. The Exeter league and cup games being the only match he's seen at Home Park for over 5 years, that was a shock and a novelty! He even has a soft spot for Hull City, and they actually achieved the Promised Land - though they are the other end of the country (even so that didn;t stop him driving up some times), in fact 'Ull led him to getting in with the Argyle squad one evening, though that spot is hardening slightly! So what are local clubs, not just Argyle, going to do to attract people who are actually football followers? Certainly not what Argyle have done lately, namely lose 3 times in a row, prostitute their family silver yet again, and show no knowledge of football on the field what so ever, let alone off it.

Wright-Phillips stays with Argyle

League top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips will stay with Plymouth Argyle after his move to Reading fell through. Wright-Phillips, who has scored 13 goals this season, saw the move fall through after failing a medical with the Berkshire club.

The former Southampton man will now stay at the club for the time being, but will not play this weekend after manager Peter Reid described the striker as “mentally not right” for the clash against Oldham. Wright-Phillips looks set be out of action for a further month following advice from a consultant but the move may still go ahead at a later date, meaning the latest football shirts news will be reporting about how Wright-Phillips may soon be in Reading colours.

“He's spoken to a consultant who has advised him that he should do a bit of rehab work for at least a month.” Reid added. Chronic knee problems have plagued Wright-Phillips since he moved to the club from Southampton in 2009 and he is often forced to miss training sessions because of the problem.

The latest developments in the move are a mixed blessing for the Pilgrims – the money generated from the transfer fee would have meant they club were able to pay their outstanding tax bill to HMRC and had the transfer embargo placed on the club lifted. Ex-Sunderland manager Reid would then have likely raided the loan market to boost his squad.

Reid’s side will have to cope without Wright-Phillips in their push to move into the play-off places. They currently lie four points off 6th place, but with eight teams ahead of them in a similar position the weekend fixture against Oldham, who are also looking for a play-off position, will be crucial.

Winger Yannick Bolasie and left-back Onismor Bhasera both face fitness tests ahead of the game after picking up knocks in the midweek defeat to Huddersfield.

Plymouth dodge another bullet

Plymouth Argyle's fortunes on the pitch may not be improving quickly, but football consultant to the board, Peter Ridsdale has at least helped the club dodge a bullet by ensuring that the first part of their outstanding tax bill has now been paid, and that the winding-up order against their parent company has been dropped. The club are still due back in court on February 9th with a tax bill of around half a million pounds still owed, but Ridsdale is confident that they will also meet that deadline in time to avoid any further repercussions.

“There are a number of issues in regard to the Inland Revenue. The first is the petition debt which was just over £500,000 and I'm delighted to say that we paid that off yesterday," he said.

"We do have further debt to the Inland Revenue which is roughly the same amount of money, and I'm hopeful that will be paid before the end of the month."

In the meantime, Plymouth will be unable to bring in any fresh faces during the January window as the outstanding balance to HMRC means that they are currently under a transfer embargo - but this doesn't mean that players can't leave to ease the financial burden. Already this month they have shipped out winger Craig Noone and defender Reda Johnson to League One promotion-chasers Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.

However, the news that their club will remain in business will have been a massive shot in the arm for the playing squad who, following their 3-2 loss to Huddersfield last time out, are lingering a deceptively comfortable seven points above the relegation zone. That result would have been especially disappointing given the fact that striker Joe Mason had put them 2-0 up inside the opening quarter of an hour. At that point, the football odds showed the game was theirs for the taking.

Unfortunately for Argyle, their typically sloppy defence combined with some ill-discipline let them down once again when both Curtis Nelson and Stephane Zubar were sent off, as well as manager Peter Reid, who was sent from the dug-out. Next up they face Oldham at home and really must get some manner of a result to stop the rot and propel them away from relegation. After all, the football predictions suggested they would be challenging for promotion this season.

There is still enough talent in this squad to be able to challenge for one of the play-off positions.

Good Old Argyle

AFC Bournemouth 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Build your up then tear you down. Following the tremendous win verses Rovers, what do Argyle do but revert to form with a heavy defeat, that only for the efforts of Button, could have ended in a cricket score. Argyle were without Wright-Philips following his move to Reading, and save for a few individual good performances, they sore missed one of the league's highest scorers. Though they came close, but close ain't good enough. The Cherries probably wish they could play us every week. So, with more players probably set to go, what will the next match bring? A spirit-lifting against-the-odds win or a dire slit your wrist loss - who knows? That's Argyle!

Light at the End of the Tunnel?

A week has passed since Christmas, which saw Argyle enjoy a fantastic win against Rovers, when they came back from 2-0 down to win 2-3. This week sees the news that Argyle should be able to clear their debt with the HMRC following the fire sale of several players, including Noone, Johnson and now Wright-Philips. Although fire selling our best players is a great way of increasing income but is no way to secure any possibility of a future for the club in footballing terms. A ray of light for Argyle fans in terms of the survival of their beloved club, but yet more agonising as to how much longer all this is going to go on.

Happy New Year

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Notts County
Plymouth Argyle 0 - 0 Yeovil Town

2 draws
2 points
2 NWO members out
1 player out
1 ex-manager out
1 Ridsdale in

So over the Christmas, Argyle have managed just to draw both of their games (Bournemouth was postponed) in two very boring games. Someone must have slipped a bromide tablet into the half time tea on Tuesday for all the enthusiasm the Greens showed in the second half - go for the win? Nah. Today's game was more exciting, if only for loanee Button's superb goalkeeping efforts. Todd and Gardner have left their positions on the board, though Todd is sticking round the NWO in some capacity, instead Stapleton has been re-promoted and Ridsdale has finally boarded the sinking ship.

The comments from others in the football world about his appointment bare witness to how dire the situation is, if liking Ridsy to Josef Frizel as a social worker / Harold Shipman running a care home / Rosemary West in a nursery, is any ringing endorsement. I'm sure the Cardiff/Leeds fans would readily agree. Mariner has decided to leave the coop for Toronto, and who can blame him after the club's treatment for a former so called legend - given Sturrock's crap and then booted aside for Reid to disappear into oblivion. The first fire sell of Noone to Brighton (who won 5-0) this today is the first of what will be many, BWP to follow him out the door by the end of the week? Fallon to get a permanent stay at Ipswich? (Though many will welcome that one).

And in a few weekends time it's back to court again, and considering the staff still haven't been paid, there is nowhere the required amount of money will be raised in time, plus that for February. Unless Ridsdale's been flogging knocked off gear round the back of the Devonport already. 10 point administration deduction now will sink Argyle to the bottom the table, from which there will be no recovery. And a certain website has already been discussing the positives of League Two football (!?). So happy 2011, because in 15 short hours, it's proved that you've seen it all before and fuck all has changed.