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Plymouth Argyle Football Club, also known as the Pilgrims and based in Plymouth, are one of only two football clubs in the English Football League to play in a principally green home strip. Traditionally the team play in a white away strip, but this was changed to one which was principally tangerine in colour for the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons, an act of homage to their highly successful former manager Paul Sturrock whose supported club, Dundee United play in a tangereen kit. The tangerine strip, which contained flashes of green engendered a new soubriquet applied to the team, the tangergreens.
OverviewThe club takes its nickname from the vast number of people that left Plymouth for the New World. The club crest features the Mayflower, the Plymouth ship, which carried many of the original pilgrims. Their mascot is known as Pilgrim Pete. Their original ground at Home Park, was destroyed by German bombers during the Blitz on Plymouth in World War II. Having been rebuilt after the war, Home Park was largely demolished as part of an extensive process of renovation, and the first phase of a new stadium built by Barrs plc was completed in May 2002. The old Devonport End was opened for the 2001 Boxing Day fixture with Torquay United. The other end, the Barn Park End opened on the same day. The Lyndhurst stand reopened on 26 January 2002 for the game against Oxford United. Plans are currently under discussion regarding the completion of the refurbishment of the ground with the replacement of the Mayflower stand. The club was founded in 1886 as a general sports club, Argyle Athletic Club, the football section being known as Argyle F.C. Much speculation and rumour surrounds the origin of the name Argyle. The most popular explanation is that they were named after the nearby Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, an army regiment with a strong football side of its own. Other theories suggest that the name comes from the nearby public house, The Argyle Tavern; where the founder members may have met. Alternatively they were named after a local street called Argyll Terrace. The club adopted its current name when it became fully professional in 1903. The first football match took place against Dunheved College (now Launceston College) in Launceston where many of the club's first members had been educated. Argyle's record victories are 8-1 wins over Hartlepool United and Millwall. On 3 January 2004, this winning margin was equalled with a 7-0 thrashing of Chesterfield. The club's record defeat is 9-0 by Stoke City in 1960. Also in 2004, goalkeeper Luke McCormick set a record of seven games without conceding a goal. Throughout the 1990s, under chairman Dan MacCauley; Argyle had a string of managers. Peter Shilton, Neil Warnock and John Gregory all managed the club, with mixed success. The club was promoted from English league Division Three to Division Two as champions at the end of season 2001/02, after attaining 102 points, a club and Division Three record. Towards the end of the 2003/04 season, with Argyle at the top of Division Two and several points clear of their rivals, Sturrock was offered, and accepted the post as manager of Premiership side, Southampton. His replacement was the Hibernian manager, Bobby Williamson. Argyle finished comfortably clear of the second placed side, Queens Park Rangers to achieve their second promotion in three years, this time into the Football League Championship for its inaugural season. Centenary seasonThe 2003/04 season was Argyle's 100th since becoming professional in 1903. The club put on several celebratory events, whilst the team won several awards. See: Plymouth Argyle F.C. season 2003-04.
Team of the centuryFor the centenary celebrations, an all time best team of Plymouth Argyle players was chosen by fans of the club.
The current Argyle squad
12 Green Army is not a real player, but was registered by the club as a tribute to the supporters. The idea behind assigning the number 12 was that the great support from fans gives Argyle a similar advantage to having an extra (twelfth) player. Current non-playing staff
Complete list of previous managersTeam managers of Plymouth Argyle and the dates they took over.
Players of the seasonSince 1966 the player of the season award has been made by Plymouth Argyle to the best player of the past season.
Other notable playersFor full list of players with articles on wikipedia see here.
Famous fansMajor club honours
How to get to the groundThe ground is located at the north of Central Park, approximately half a mile from the main Plymouth railway station, and about a mile from the coach station. From the stationBy busTurn immediately right out of the station, and cross the main road by footbridge. Any bus bound for Milehouse will drop you within 100 yards of the ground.WalkingTurn immediately right out of the station, and right again under the pedestrian footbridge and railway bridge. You will arrive at a roundabout: in front of you will be a pub, the Pennycomequick. From here you can either walk up Alma Road to the top and turn right at the Britannia pub (the long way) or you can cut across the park about 50 yards up Alma Road, heading right. You will come to a concreted path, follow it uphill and it will bring you past the council-run pitch and putt golf course to Home Park itself. Arriving by roadArriving from the east you will (probably) be on the A38 Devon Expressway. As you approach Plymouth, there is a major exit, the Marsh Mills roundabout. Do not take this exit unless you fancy wasting time driving through city-centre traffic. The next exit, the Leigham roundabout, is also sub-optimal. The third exit which will be signposted the A386 for Plymouth City Centre and Devonport is the one you want. Head in the direction of Plymouth city centre. (NB There are speed cameras along the length of this road and the police often have a mobile patrol laser-checking as well). The car-parks are well-signposted, however as Argyle have become progressively more successful, it has taken longer to leave these car-parks after the game... Arriving by coachUnless you are on a club coach explicitly bound for Home Park, you will be deposited at Breton Side Bus Station. By busAny bus bound for Milehouse will drop you within 100 yards of the ground. WalkingExit the bus station through either of the staircases. If you are immediately outside the St Charles church (or what remains of it, as it was blown up during the Blitz), then turn left and follow the signs for the railway station, and follow instructions as per arriving by rail. If you find yourself outside the Post Office, just head for the St Charles church.... External Links
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