PreSeason 2012

Preseason friendlies are starting to be arranged now, so far with

Saturday July 21 v Yeovil Town (A) 15.00
Tuesday July 24 v Truro City (A) 19.45
Friday July 27 v Weston-super-Mare (A) 19.45
Tuesday July 31 v Tiverton Town (A) 19.45
Wednesday August 8 v Preston North End (H) 19.45

The Truro away match now becoming a tradition, along with revisits to Yeovil, Weston and Tiverton.  And Ridsdale returns to Home Park with his new team, PNE. No money for a tour this year!

Flied Lice Bilds?

What is it with football in the UK?  With the pursuit of money and fortune that history and tradition can be ridden roughshod over the ordinary supporter without hindrance.  It was bad enough when Argyle went Japanese and introduced a new badge and a new song with the so called 'New World', my god it was galling when pandering to Sturrock that orange became out official away colour.  But to annihilate the Bluebirds is beyond belief.  OK, some may argue that Cardiff and imposters in the EFL anyway, but just to insure the bucks come rolling in ('future investment') a 'rebrand' is essential.  Bollocks!

So what do the new Chinese owners of Cardiff want?  Essentially for them to give up their traditions - a blue kit to be replaced by a red one because it's luckier and scientifically more successful (try telling that to Man City fans this season), and replace their club crest with a Welsh Dragon to promote identity.  Now come on!  What utter shite is this - how can you ditch a club's history?  It's not without precedent though - look at Arsenal's new strip including Spurs's blue.  Or QPR's rebrand.  

The trouble with football is that its got too big for its boots - in the persuit of wealth it has forgotten who is at it's heart - the fans; and granted the Cardiff supporters will probably adapt like a lot of others have.  But, if we allow 'outsiders' free reign over what many hold dear, what hope has the humble man or woman got?  And ultimately we are to blame - for it is the supporter who has encouraged such spending and outstripped what our own country has to offer.  When have to appease those who hold the purse string - no matter how incompetent (in Argyle's case) or how much you protest (just look at how influential the Man U traditional were at ousting the Glazers ie naff all) the supporter, the history, the tradition means fuck all.

Day of Sport

Yesterday marked another remarkable day in football - and sport as a whole - especially down here in Plymouth.  Firstly West Ham clinch promotion in a nail biting game, then as the Olympic Torch made its way through the streets, Chelsea would be firing one more penalty home against Bayern to be crowned Champion of Champions in Europe - and thus through a stroke of ill fate knocked Tottenham out of their 4th position into Europa, thus negating the whole of the season. 

Plymouth was in carnival mood yesterday with the combination of Lord Mayor's Day and the Olympic Torch relay, having been bedecked in red white and blue as people came to see the symbol  will dominate the summer, the other half of the city were watching the TV as Chelsea v Bayern descended into English v Germans (though how many English players are there at Chelsea?).  And if you thought that the ending of the Premier League a week ago was dramatic, then the ending of the Champions League was just as heart stopping.

But for all the thrill that this season of top flight football has brought with the race for 1st place, race for 3rd, race for 4th etc, and the subsequent matches that sealed the outcomes, what have we learnt?  That the winning clubs are those that spend their way to victory.  And you don't even have to be that good - in the case of Chelsea, who have ousted a team who were better than them in their own league. 

So what of next season?  Well to be sure that the 'winners' - Chelsea, City. are now out to get whoever they want at whatever cost, and will probably get their way, bolstered by their success.  Arsenal will probably lose Van Persie, and Spurs will probably lose half their squad.  And United are always a safe bet for agents.  I would say that, unlike the Games, next season's football will probably be more predictable.  And what a shame if it is.

Comings and Goings II

What an end to a season with City clinching the Trophy at the very last gasp of the league.  Things are shaping up now as to whom Argyle will be playing next season, with just the play-offs left.  We already know that Swindon, Shrewsbury and Crawley have gone up, and Hereford and Macclesfield wont feature due to their relegation.  Old foes Exeter on the other hand will be a feature, along with other ex-League One clubs Wycombe, Chesterfield and Rochdale.  Likewise we know that a trip to Blackpool's neighbours, Fleetwood, is guaranteed but who out of Wrexham, Mansfield, York or Luton will be joining them?

(C) Manchester City

----------------------

Bolton

Blackburn

Wolves

Championship

­ ­Reading

­­Southampton

? West Ham

? Birmingham

? Blackpool

? Cardiff

----------------------

Portsmouth

Coventry

Doncaster

League 1

­Charlton

Sheffield Wednesday

? Sheffield United

? MK Dons

? Huddersfield

? Stevenage

----------------------

Wycombe
Chesterfield

Exeter

Rochdale

League 2

­Swindon

­Shrewsbury

Crawley

? Torquay

? Cheltenham

? Crewe

----------------------
Hereford

Macclesfield

Conference Premier

Fleetword

? Wrexham

? Mansfield

? York

? Luton 

Adieu notre ami

One of the finest men to don the Green/White/Black/Orange/Yellow shirt announced his retirement yesterday.  David Friio's mate has enjoyed his testimonial year and promotion to player/coach, but has now hung up his keeper's gloves on the upright.  Good bye Romain Larrieu.

Le keeper made a total of 317 appearances for the Greens (and only 3 other players every to have played for PAFC can boast higher) over 11 and a half years service, and was always considered number 1 between the sticks - even when younger keepers such as McCormick, Stack, Cole were regularly picked first.  Larrieu's gentlemanly stance made him a firm favourite and he was appointed club captain and had a song dedicated to him ('We all dream of a team of Larry-Os').  Ro publically played out his battle with  testicular cancer whilst at the club - not once but twice - and has been a faithful servant though the ups and downs, thick and thin.  Although Romain will no longer feature on the pitch as player, it is hoped that he will be able to continue in his role as coach.  We shall see.  But for now, for all your work between the stick.

Adieu, merci beaucoup et bonne chance.

...All Over...It is Now

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Cheltenham Town

And so the season ends with the flourish of a tortoise fart, namely two loses.  Oh well it only really sums up how god awful 11/12 has been for Argyle and thank Christ that's over.  The last two games of the season meant nothing since survival was assured, apart from pride at stake, and the results could be interpreted that Argyle don't even have that especially as once again an ex-player came back to Home Park and was allowed to piss all over the place - scoring the first goal and setting up the second.   However its now time to breathe a huge sigh and take a rest from all the bitterness, infighting, stress and depression the last few years have been.  We're stuck with Fletcher for next season and whatever team we can cobble together to make 'professional', the outlook is not that rosy in stark terms.  But instead rather than worry let's enjoy England losing at the Euros, and the Summer Games, see what Brent has in store for his football club and try and start next season as a united Green Army.

Out with a Whimper

Morecambe 2 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

Rather than going out of the season - which is now secure in League 2 - with a bang, it seems that a whimper is more on the cards.  Fletcher took the chance of a no stress game to get his new young keeper on the pitch, Chenoweth, and leave Wotton out to avoid suspension.  After a lively start the Greens (or rather Whites) could have been a few goals ahead but by half time were cruising 0-1.  Unfortunately the second half started to turn out as one of those performances that the Green Army have got so used to - Argyle lost shape and the balls started to go stray.  It was left to Morecambe to get the equaliser and eventually take the lead before Purse managed to head in a ball parried from their keeper.  All in all it had a party over feeling rather than a party on that was hoped for.

Comings and Goings

Last week we started to see who found be celebrating and weeping as the season ends, with a few clubs crowned champions or relegated.  However, following this week the picture of who will be playing who next season has become more clear.

Championship

­ ­Reading

­Southampton

? West Ham

? Birmingham

? Blackpool

? Cardiff

----------------------

Portsmouth

Coventry

Doncaster

League 1

­ Charlton

? Sheffield Wednesday

? Sheffield United

? MK Dons

? Huddersfield

? Stevenage

----------------------

Wycombe
Chesterfield

Exeter

Rochdale

League 2

­ Swindon

­ Shrewsbury

? Crawley

? Torquay

? Cheltenham

? Crewe

----------------------

Macclesfield

There's still a lot in it for some clubs, though Argyle will be playing Exeter next season in league 2, it still remains to be seen if Torquay will be there too.

All Over Bar the Shouting

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Oxford United

Not quite the 3 points wanted but the draw means Argyle have secured their place in the football league for another season. As the champagne corks get swept up and the Green Army breathes a huge sigh of relief, it's not really the aim that the beginning of the season had - to spend most of the time on the brink of going out of the league and to pull of the great escape. Such a ftought season of emotions running very high as we stared at the very real possibility of Argyle dropping into oblivion. There are 2 games left to go, but are academic now that survival has been won. There is a lot of work to do before next season, to even contemplate Argyle being any force to be reckoned with again, but with the close scrape avoided it's time for positivity that a new start will hopefully bring.

End of Season

There will be no season tickets at Argyle for 12/13 season, instead the board are introducing new 'Join the Club' membership statuses instead.

GREEN+

Access to all home league games and priority ticketing for home cup games
Replica Shirt*
Match-day Programme
Argyle Player for a year
Invites to regular club events (6 per season)
Pre-match e-mail
One free room-hire
15% discount in the Argyle Superstore
10% discount at Akkeron Hotels and Saltrock clothing
(*or retail item(s) to the equivalent value)

Full price: £425
Concessionary price: £325

GREEN

Tickets for all home league games and priority ticketing for home cup games
Argyle Player - one month free
Invites to regular club events (6 per season)
Pre-match e-mail
One free room-hire
15% discount in the Argyle Superstore
10% discount at Akkeron Hotels and Saltrock clothing

Full price: £340
Concessionary price: £250

WHITE

Tickets for 6 home league games and second priority ticketing for home cup games
Benefits:
Argyle Player - one month free
Invites to regular club events (6 per season)
Pre-match e-mail
10% discount in the Argyle Superstore
10% discount at Akkeron Hotels and Saltrock clothing

Full price: £100
Concessionary price: £75

PILGRIM

Second priority for home cup matches
Invites to regular club events (6 per season)
Pre-match e-mail
10% discount in the Argyle Superstore

Price: £25
No concessionary price

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (aged 17 or under before 18 August)

Tickets for all home league games and priority ticketing for home cup games
Pre-match e-mail
Junior Greens 'Meet the Players' Day
Signed birthday card
Free use of Home Park function room for birthday party
15% discount in the Argyle Superstore
10% discount at Saltrock clothing

Price: £60
No concessionary price

FAMILY+ (one adult GREEN+ and one child)

As per GREEN+

Price: £450

FAMILY (one adult GREEN and one child)

As per GREEN

Price: £375
Second adult at concessionary price
Extra children £30

IN ADDITION

CHILDREN AGED 5 AND UNDER (before 18 August)

Free admission with any adult member

ARGYLE FOUNDATION MEMBERS

5% discount on any membership

Existing season ticket holders have until 31 May to reclaim their seat.
Concessions include:
65+ (on August 18, 2012)
21 and under (on August 18, 2012)
Full-time student
Disabled (if non-ambulant, carer comes free)
Serving Armed Forces

More information

Rocky Robins

Swindon Town 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

A little bit of rough on the road to survival as a chance for another 3 points, or at least 1, slipped by. But what are the chance against Swindon - top of the league and only lost 9 games all season and dropped 27 goals. Then again to have hung on so long and concede to a substitute at such a late time in the game is extra galling.

Shot to Pieces

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Aldershot

3 whole points and a plumper cushionof 8 points above the relegation zone. Will this be the escape from oblivion? It's still not mathematically impossible to go down yet, but there is a glimmer of hope now as the season is rapidly coming to its end. It was a nail biting game and Argyle were their usual lacking performing selves - sitting back on a 1-0 margin as if there was no urgency, but as points gaining opportunities are getting fewer, the ones that can be picked up by hook or by crook are vital.

Not so Good Friday

Hereford United 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

3 points lost, just one to contend with. Especially as Hereford gifted Argyle the lead with an own goal but as usual the Greens couldn't hold on to the opportunity they had to pull further aqay from the drop zone. And even boosted Hereford's confidence with missing a penalty just before half time when Walton's kick smacked the upright and Chadwick unfortunately couldn't hit the spot in a 1-on-1. It was Argyle who were desperately looking for the final whistle following the equaliser and a lack of fire in the second half to end a disappointing draw for both teams.

The Great Escape?

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Bradford City

The slow climb out of relegation continues as the Greens beat a very depleted Bradford side following their mass brawl at Crawley, resulting in a number of post match suspensions. Timing couldn't have been better for Argyle, who are clawing for every point necessary to avoid non league oblivion; and thankfully they grasped it. Although it wasn't all plain sailing as City came close a number of times, especially in an edgy final 15 minutes, and Argyle are still incapable of taking at least a 2-0 lead when presented with the chance, and riding their luck for most of the game. However, the thin cushion between the drop has thickened a little bit. For now.

Haven't we been Here Before?

So Brent is selling off land to an arms-length PAFC land owning company in order to raise money to develop the club and ground. Hasn't this been done before?

Point to Point

Northampton 0 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Boring result, but still just out of the relegation zone. Rather negative tactics kept the full 3 points out of Argyle's grasp and it took experience to actually make anything out of the game - with Wotton and Chadwick, and Wotton's free kick could have snatched a winner but tragically it came off the bar. Although the tactics did mean that Argyle effectively parked the bus on the pitch so that no goals were conceded, which was helpful on the goal difference. And a bit of a problem with Tsoumou, for what capacity was he signed, because in whatever it was, he's not really being used effectively enough.

Roving round the table

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Bristol Rovers

A last gasp equaliser gives the Greens a vital point to lift them one more place up the league table. A fairly changed team took to the pitch on Tuesday night, but even so it wasn't great football as Purse and Walton struggled to find their allies, woeful passing and an ineffective midfield. Inevitably, Rovers took the lead and looked likely that Rovers would score a second with the bad performance of the Pilgrims, but thankfully it didn't happen and instead a huffy puffy equaliser finally emerged. There were flashes of 'football' during the game, but you'd have to admit that Wotton was sorely missed. But, a point won, which for the first time means that Argyle are out of the relegation zone by points instead of goal difference.

Muamba

It's not very often that a football crowd will fall silent. What happened at White Hart Lane on Saturday was something extraordinary. To watch or listen to a Premier League ground full of supporters, players, officials, media and staff stop and be quiet was emotional.

Muamba has at latest been showing signs of improvement, but before the world on TV and radio, he was dead for six minutes. The footballing world were shocked and devastated that such a thing could happen out of the blue to such a young and fit man, and in front of so many people.

Much has been written in the press about Saturday, and emotions are still running high throughout the football across the world. And many have re-examined what it means to be a football supporter, and at the essence, a person. It can be difficult to remember that the people we watch week in and week out on the pitch, the people we praise and then give the foulest shit to the next are infallible people. A spirit of unity has engulfed the football league and premier league throughout the UK, and it's something that very seldom happens. Because at heart, we all know, weather we hate our rivals with passion that never abates, when the life of a person hangs in balance, it overcomes everything.

Get well soon.

Yo Yo Yoing

Rotherham 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Shrewsbury Town

Up and down more than a whore's knickers. Get excited about a win and be out of the relegation zone, a following loss and back down again. Argyle a few weeks ago were 4th from bottom, having lost last week were back in the drop zone and are now again "safe" at 3rd from bottom. At the moment it's not that worth getting too excited about, but as the season gets closer to the end, such yo yoing is going to make a tense ending. But add on that not a few hours from Wotton scoring a trademark screamer goal, his first, and the only one of the game to collect the 3 points, Muamba was effectively lying dead on the pitch of White Hart Lane, it hit home among the eerily silent stadium to every fan there, watching or listening, that football is life and death. But not in the way that Bill Shankly intended it.

12 Seconds

AFC Wimbledon 1 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

It's gonna be one of those end of seasons. With just around 2 months left, Argyle are managing to yo-yo in and out of the relegation zone on a near weekly basis. Following the last 3 inept games, who'd have thought that the Greens would pull off another win to pull them back up to 4th from bottom, let alone score a goal just 12 seconds after kick off. Though it was Bhasera that did it this time rather than Chadwick, but Chadders rather than being outdone scored the winner on 49 mins following the wombles' equaliser at the end of the first half. Although it was still not a perfect performance by the Pilgrims, as Wimbledon could easily have taken the lead after Argyle dozed off several times, though credit to those players who defused the dangerous situations. There are now a dozen or so teams hovering around that drop, and Argyle are more than likely going to end up in and out of the barrel several times before the end of the season. The Green Army's nails would be well and truly bitten by then.