Unfortunately there were to be no glamour ties for the South West sides left in the FA Cup as Torquay United and Yeovil Town were both paired with Coca-Cola Championship opposition.
The Gulls' reward for defeating Walsall is another home tie against another League One side in the form of Greg Abbot's Carlisle United.
Should Yeovil Town overcome Hartlepool United in their re-arranged second round match, they will be facing a trip to Championship side Watford.
The Third round takes place on January 7th/8th/9th 2011.
Sunday 28 November 2010
GULLS AND GLOVERS IN THIRD ROUND DRAW
Torquay United and Yeovil Town will both be in today's FA Cup third round draw following yesterday's second round matches.
The Glovers will still have to play their second stage tie with Hartlepool United after the Victoria Park pitch failed a pre-match inspection following the snow and ice that hit the North East.
However Torquay United are definitely through after beating Walsall 1-0 at Plainmoor courtesy of a 41st minute penalty from Billy Kee.
The Gulls will be ball number 56 in the draw and Yeovil or Hartlepool are ball number 49.
Here are the key numbers to watch out for:
1 Arsenal
11 Chelsea
22 Liverpool
23 Manchester City
24 Manchester United
49 Hartlepool United or Yeovil Town
56 Torquay United
The Glovers will still have to play their second stage tie with Hartlepool United after the Victoria Park pitch failed a pre-match inspection following the snow and ice that hit the North East.
However Torquay United are definitely through after beating Walsall 1-0 at Plainmoor courtesy of a 41st minute penalty from Billy Kee.
The Gulls will be ball number 56 in the draw and Yeovil or Hartlepool are ball number 49.
Here are the key numbers to watch out for:
1 Arsenal
11 Chelsea
22 Liverpool
23 Manchester City
24 Manchester United
49 Hartlepool United or Yeovil Town
56 Torquay United
Friday 26 November 2010
LOAN WINDOW ROUND-UP
Following the end of the loan transfer window, Plymouth Argyle were the biggest movers in the market as three players left Home Park on temporary deals before Thursday's deadline.
Striker Steven MacLean had already joined Oxford United and he was later followed out of Home Park by Marcel Seip and Rory Fallon who signed for Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town respectively.
Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton was able to add to his squad before the 5pm deadline on Thursday by drafting in Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule from Bristol City and central defender Ian Parkes from Leicester City.
Torquay United saw defender Kieran Charnock leave for Morecambe on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January, but, despite speculation about his departure, striker Elliot Benyon remains at Plainmoor.
There were no comings and goings at St James Park as Exeter City did not make any last ditch signings, nor were there any departures.
The loan window is now shut until January 1st 2011 when clubs will also able to make permanent acquisitions again.
Striker Steven MacLean had already joined Oxford United and he was later followed out of Home Park by Marcel Seip and Rory Fallon who signed for Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town respectively.
Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton was able to add to his squad before the 5pm deadline on Thursday by drafting in Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule from Bristol City and central defender Ian Parkes from Leicester City.
Torquay United saw defender Kieran Charnock leave for Morecambe on loan with a view to a permanent deal in January, but, despite speculation about his departure, striker Elliot Benyon remains at Plainmoor.
There were no comings and goings at St James Park as Exeter City did not make any last ditch signings, nor were there any departures.
The loan window is now shut until January 1st 2011 when clubs will also able to make permanent acquisitions again.
Thursday 25 November 2010
ALAN NICHOLLS REMEMBERED
Today marks the 15th anniversary of the untimely death of former Plymouth Argyle and England Under-21 goalkeeper Alan Nicholls and I will take a look back at Alan's career at Home Park.
Alan Nicholls arrived at Plymouth Argyle in 1993 after Peter Shilton paid £5,000 to Cheltenham Town for his services.
A former schoolboy prodigy in his native West Midlands, a young Alan had been watched by several of the big clubs in the region, including West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Wolves.
He eventually signed schoolboy forms with Wolves and made rapid progress that saw Graham Turner put him on standby for the first team at the tender age of 15.
Unfortunately for Alan, his involvement in a ticket-touting scam saw him dismissed from Molineux. He was then forced to drop down into non-league football with CradleyTown as Wolves retained his registration, thus preventing him from signing for another league side.
His performances for Cradley brought him to the attentions of Argyle's neighbours Torquay United who offered Alan a trial. However, because his registration was still retained by Wolves, he was unable to sign for the Gulls.
Alan later joined for Cheltenham and his performances for the Robins brought him to the attentions of Peter Shilton who signed for the Pilgrims prior to the start of the 1993-94 season.
He made his debut for Argyle in a Coca-Cola Cup tie against Birmingham City, which the Pilgrims won 2-0, and kept his place in the side for their next league encounter against Port Vale that they also won 2-0.
As the season went on Alan continued to produce a number of outstanding performances and many of his Argyle team-mates would draw comparisions between him and Shilton in terms of stature, build and ability.
In March 1994, he was called up to the England Under-21 squad to face Denmark, but he was forced to pull out of the squad because Argyle were playing Barnet on the same night.
He would have to wait until the summer to make his debut for his country as he was selected in the England Under-21 squad for the Toulon Tournament in France.
The squad also featured future England internationals Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp, Sol Campbell and Trevor Sinclair and Alan was selected to play in England's second group game against the host nation.
Sadly Alan was to endure a nightmare debut as France defeated England 3-0 and he was substituted later in the name and replaced by Aston Villa's Michael Oakes.
Following his return to Home Park ahead of the 1994-95 campaign, Alan struggled to recapture the form that saw him selected for the Under-21 side and struggled for form and fitness for much of the season.
He also became involved in a number of off-the-field incidents, which later led to his departure following the appointment of Neil Warnock as Shilton's replacement.
After leaving Home Park, Alan had a trial with Gillingham before eventually returning to non-league football with Stalybridge Celtic.
A few months after joining the Cheshire club Alan was involved in the fatal motorbike crash which claimed both his life and the life of Matt Lindsey, brother of his Celtic team-mate Scott Lindsey. It was a tragic end for a player who had shown much promise early in his career.
Alan is buried in St Paul's Parish Church in Blackheath, Birmingham and his headstone is engraved with a Three Lions crest and an image of him making an spectacular save in full Plymouth Argyle kit.
He is still fondly remembered by those who saw him appear for the Pilgrims and many of them rank him as one of the best goalkeepers they have seen play for Plymouth Argyle.
Alan Nicholls arrived at Plymouth Argyle in 1993 after Peter Shilton paid £5,000 to Cheltenham Town for his services.
A former schoolboy prodigy in his native West Midlands, a young Alan had been watched by several of the big clubs in the region, including West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Wolves.
He eventually signed schoolboy forms with Wolves and made rapid progress that saw Graham Turner put him on standby for the first team at the tender age of 15.
Unfortunately for Alan, his involvement in a ticket-touting scam saw him dismissed from Molineux. He was then forced to drop down into non-league football with CradleyTown as Wolves retained his registration, thus preventing him from signing for another league side.
His performances for Cradley brought him to the attentions of Argyle's neighbours Torquay United who offered Alan a trial. However, because his registration was still retained by Wolves, he was unable to sign for the Gulls.
Alan later joined for Cheltenham and his performances for the Robins brought him to the attentions of Peter Shilton who signed for the Pilgrims prior to the start of the 1993-94 season.
He made his debut for Argyle in a Coca-Cola Cup tie against Birmingham City, which the Pilgrims won 2-0, and kept his place in the side for their next league encounter against Port Vale that they also won 2-0.
As the season went on Alan continued to produce a number of outstanding performances and many of his Argyle team-mates would draw comparisions between him and Shilton in terms of stature, build and ability.
In March 1994, he was called up to the England Under-21 squad to face Denmark, but he was forced to pull out of the squad because Argyle were playing Barnet on the same night.
He would have to wait until the summer to make his debut for his country as he was selected in the England Under-21 squad for the Toulon Tournament in France.
The squad also featured future England internationals Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp, Sol Campbell and Trevor Sinclair and Alan was selected to play in England's second group game against the host nation.
Sadly Alan was to endure a nightmare debut as France defeated England 3-0 and he was substituted later in the name and replaced by Aston Villa's Michael Oakes.
Following his return to Home Park ahead of the 1994-95 campaign, Alan struggled to recapture the form that saw him selected for the Under-21 side and struggled for form and fitness for much of the season.
He also became involved in a number of off-the-field incidents, which later led to his departure following the appointment of Neil Warnock as Shilton's replacement.
After leaving Home Park, Alan had a trial with Gillingham before eventually returning to non-league football with Stalybridge Celtic.
A few months after joining the Cheshire club Alan was involved in the fatal motorbike crash which claimed both his life and the life of Matt Lindsey, brother of his Celtic team-mate Scott Lindsey. It was a tragic end for a player who had shown much promise early in his career.
Alan is buried in St Paul's Parish Church in Blackheath, Birmingham and his headstone is engraved with a Three Lions crest and an image of him making an spectacular save in full Plymouth Argyle kit.
He is still fondly remembered by those who saw him appear for the Pilgrims and many of them rank him as one of the best goalkeepers they have seen play for Plymouth Argyle.
Sunday 21 November 2010
TALKING TORQUAY #4
There is a saying that time is a great healer and that is certainly the case for Torquay United fans at the moment.
It is now just over three years ago that the Gulls were relegated from the Football League following the disastrous reign of Chris Roberts.
The events which followed, including Mike Bateson's return as Chairman and Leroy Rosenior's return as manager for ten minutes before the club was sold to the current owners, served to reduce the club to a laughing stock.
Since then Torquay have returned to the Football League after winning the Blue Square Premier Play-Off Final against Cambridge United in May 2009.
At the time of writing, the Gulls are currently challenging for a Play-Off spot in League Two and last Wednesday that two players involved in international action for Northern Ireland's Under-21 side.
Eunan O'Kane and Billy Kee were both named in Steve Beaglehole's side to face their Scottish counterparts at the Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle.
The fact that Torquay can now boast two current international hopefuls amongst their ranks illustrates just how far they have come as a club in a short space of time.
O'Kane also managed to get himself on the score sheet to become the first Torquay United contracted player to score for one of the home nations at international level as Northern Ireland went down to a 3-1 defeat.
This feat represents just how far the Gulls have come in a short space of time and hopefully if O'Kane can continue to progress in the manner in which he has since he arrived at Plainmoor from Coleraine last January, full international honours with the province may be just around the corner for Eunan.
It is now just over three years ago that the Gulls were relegated from the Football League following the disastrous reign of Chris Roberts.
The events which followed, including Mike Bateson's return as Chairman and Leroy Rosenior's return as manager for ten minutes before the club was sold to the current owners, served to reduce the club to a laughing stock.
Since then Torquay have returned to the Football League after winning the Blue Square Premier Play-Off Final against Cambridge United in May 2009.
At the time of writing, the Gulls are currently challenging for a Play-Off spot in League Two and last Wednesday that two players involved in international action for Northern Ireland's Under-21 side.
Eunan O'Kane and Billy Kee were both named in Steve Beaglehole's side to face their Scottish counterparts at the Firhill Stadium, the home of Partick Thistle.
The fact that Torquay can now boast two current international hopefuls amongst their ranks illustrates just how far they have come as a club in a short space of time.
O'Kane also managed to get himself on the score sheet to become the first Torquay United contracted player to score for one of the home nations at international level as Northern Ireland went down to a 3-1 defeat.
This feat represents just how far the Gulls have come in a short space of time and hopefully if O'Kane can continue to progress in the manner in which he has since he arrived at Plainmoor from Coleraine last January, full international honours with the province may be just around the corner for Eunan.
Wednesday 17 November 2010
EUNAN AND RORY HIT TARGET ON NORTHERN IRELAND DUTY
Rory Patterson and Eunan O'Kane created a unique double tonight as they were both on target for the Northern Ireland's senior and Under-21 sides during tonight's international matches.
O'Kane and Gulls team-mate Billy Kee increased the number of contracted Torquay United players who have appeared for the home nations at international level to three when they started for Northern Ireland Under-21's against Scotland.
The pair joined former Gulls right back Alex Lawless who represented Wales at Under-21 level in 2006. Another piece of history was also created as Eunan became the first Torquay contracted player to score for the home nations when he grabbed a 35th minute equaliser for the Irish as they went down 3-1 at the Firhill Stadium Glasgow.
On the same night, Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Patterson was on target for the senior Northern Ireland side with a late penalty that salvaged a 1-1 draw for the province against Morroco at Windsor Park.
Here is the full list of players contracted to South West clubs who have played international football for the home nations.
Plymouth Argyle
Norman Piper England Under-23
Alan Nicholls England Under-21
Tony Capaldi Northern Ireland Full & Under-21
Damie Johnson Northern Ireland Full
Rory Patterson Northern Ireland Full
Stevie Crawford Scotland Full
Moses Russell Wales Full
Chris Twiddy Wales Under-21
Torquay United
Alex Lawless Wales Under-21
Eunan O'Kane Northern Ireland Under-21
Billy Kee Northern Ireland Under-21
Yeovil Town
Arron Davies Wales Full and Under-21
Exeter City
Chris Holloway Wales Under-21
O'Kane and Gulls team-mate Billy Kee increased the number of contracted Torquay United players who have appeared for the home nations at international level to three when they started for Northern Ireland Under-21's against Scotland.
The pair joined former Gulls right back Alex Lawless who represented Wales at Under-21 level in 2006. Another piece of history was also created as Eunan became the first Torquay contracted player to score for the home nations when he grabbed a 35th minute equaliser for the Irish as they went down 3-1 at the Firhill Stadium Glasgow.
On the same night, Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Patterson was on target for the senior Northern Ireland side with a late penalty that salvaged a 1-1 draw for the province against Morroco at Windsor Park.
Here is the full list of players contracted to South West clubs who have played international football for the home nations.
Plymouth Argyle
Norman Piper England Under-23
Alan Nicholls England Under-21
Tony Capaldi Northern Ireland Full & Under-21
Damie Johnson Northern Ireland Full
Rory Patterson Northern Ireland Full
Stevie Crawford Scotland Full
Moses Russell Wales Full
Chris Twiddy Wales Under-21
Torquay United
Alex Lawless Wales Under-21
Eunan O'Kane Northern Ireland Under-21
Billy Kee Northern Ireland Under-21
Yeovil Town
Arron Davies Wales Full and Under-21
Exeter City
Chris Holloway Wales Under-21
PETER SHILTON: THE ARGYLE YEARS #4
In the concluding part of Peter Shilton: The Argyle Years, we look at the former England keeper's final season in charge.
After coming agonisingly close to automatic promotion in the previous season, Peter Shilton went about strengthening his Plymouth Argyle side ahead of the 1994-95 campaign.
One area of his side earmarked for improvement was his side was the defence that conceded a huge 56 goals in 46 league games.
Shilton looked to rectify this by paying a club record £300,000 for Port Vale defender Peter Swan, it was widely hoped that Shilton had found the missing piece in his jigsaw.
Unfortunately for Shilton and all Argyle followers, the signing of Swan would turn out to be a disaster.
On his arrival, Swan was appointed as captain in succession to Steve Castle, who handed in a transfer request prior to the start of the campaign. This was a decision that did not sit comfortably with either the Pilgrims’ fans or players. In the previous season, Swan had played a key role in helping Port Vale win promotion at Argyle’s expense.
Many fans pinpointed a tackle which he made on Paul Dalton as a decisive moment in the Pilgrims missing out on the second automatic promotion spot to the Valiants.
Unfortunately for the Pilgrims, a huge injury list meant they would be starting the season without Castle, Dalton, Steve McCall, Alan Nicholls, who appeared for England Under-21’s during the previous summer in the Toulon Tournament, and Dominic Naylor.
Their absence was felt on the opening day of the campaign as the Pilgrims were soundly beaten 5-1 by Brentford at Home Park.
Far from being a blip, Argyle’s poor form would continue into September and by the middle of the month they would find themselves in the bottom three in Division Two.
At the same time, John McGovern resigned as assistant manager following a break down in relations between him and Shilton over a sum of money he was owed by the former England keeper.
This would later lead to a public fall out and breakdown in relations between Shilton and Chairman Dan McCauley.
McCauley later gave an interview to the sun newspaper regarding Shilton’s financial problems. The article highlighted the full extent of Shilton’s gambling problems and would prove to be the beginning of the end of his tenure as Plymouth Argyle manager.
On January 2nd 1995, Shilton was dismissed as Argyle manager and replaced by Steve McCall on a temporary basis.
McCall found it difficult to make the transition from team-mate to manager and was replaced by Russell Osman after 15 matches.
Osman was unable to save the Pilgrims from relegation to the Third Division, the basement division of the Football League, for the first time in the history.
In the summer of 1995, Neil Warnock was appointed as manager of Plymouth Argyle and led the Pilgrims to promotion to Division Three at the first attempt via the Play-Offs with a 1-0 win over Darlington at Wembley.
However, Argyle would have to wait until 2004 before they returned to the level they were at the time of Shilton’s appointment.
Shilton himself went on to hit the 1,000 league appearances mark whilst with Leyton Orient in the 1996-97 season, but never worked as a manager again.
His only current involvement with football is limited to after-dinner speaking and the occasional national media interview. He recently appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
After coming agonisingly close to automatic promotion in the previous season, Peter Shilton went about strengthening his Plymouth Argyle side ahead of the 1994-95 campaign.
One area of his side earmarked for improvement was his side was the defence that conceded a huge 56 goals in 46 league games.
Shilton looked to rectify this by paying a club record £300,000 for Port Vale defender Peter Swan, it was widely hoped that Shilton had found the missing piece in his jigsaw.
Unfortunately for Shilton and all Argyle followers, the signing of Swan would turn out to be a disaster.
On his arrival, Swan was appointed as captain in succession to Steve Castle, who handed in a transfer request prior to the start of the campaign. This was a decision that did not sit comfortably with either the Pilgrims’ fans or players. In the previous season, Swan had played a key role in helping Port Vale win promotion at Argyle’s expense.
Many fans pinpointed a tackle which he made on Paul Dalton as a decisive moment in the Pilgrims missing out on the second automatic promotion spot to the Valiants.
Unfortunately for the Pilgrims, a huge injury list meant they would be starting the season without Castle, Dalton, Steve McCall, Alan Nicholls, who appeared for England Under-21’s during the previous summer in the Toulon Tournament, and Dominic Naylor.
Their absence was felt on the opening day of the campaign as the Pilgrims were soundly beaten 5-1 by Brentford at Home Park.
Far from being a blip, Argyle’s poor form would continue into September and by the middle of the month they would find themselves in the bottom three in Division Two.
At the same time, John McGovern resigned as assistant manager following a break down in relations between him and Shilton over a sum of money he was owed by the former England keeper.
This would later lead to a public fall out and breakdown in relations between Shilton and Chairman Dan McCauley.
McCauley later gave an interview to the sun newspaper regarding Shilton’s financial problems. The article highlighted the full extent of Shilton’s gambling problems and would prove to be the beginning of the end of his tenure as Plymouth Argyle manager.
On January 2nd 1995, Shilton was dismissed as Argyle manager and replaced by Steve McCall on a temporary basis.
McCall found it difficult to make the transition from team-mate to manager and was replaced by Russell Osman after 15 matches.
Osman was unable to save the Pilgrims from relegation to the Third Division, the basement division of the Football League, for the first time in the history.
In the summer of 1995, Neil Warnock was appointed as manager of Plymouth Argyle and led the Pilgrims to promotion to Division Three at the first attempt via the Play-Offs with a 1-0 win over Darlington at Wembley.
However, Argyle would have to wait until 2004 before they returned to the level they were at the time of Shilton’s appointment.
Shilton himself went on to hit the 1,000 league appearances mark whilst with Leyton Orient in the 1996-97 season, but never worked as a manager again.
His only current involvement with football is limited to after-dinner speaking and the occasional national media interview. He recently appeared as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
Monday 15 November 2010
ARGYLE FINALLY LAND ZUBAR
Stephane Zubar has officially become a Plymouth Argyle player, two months after Peter Reid first announced that he had signed the Frenchman from Romanian side SC Vaslui.
However Reid was unable to secure international clearance for his new signing, which meant that Zubar was unable to make any competitive appearances for the Pilgrims. This only taste of first team action came in a friendly against Peninsula League side Newton Abbot Spurs in September.
But now that the deal has been completed, Stephane can now look forward to the possibility of making his debut for Argyle on Saturday against Brentford.
However Reid was unable to secure international clearance for his new signing, which meant that Zubar was unable to make any competitive appearances for the Pilgrims. This only taste of first team action came in a friendly against Peninsula League side Newton Abbot Spurs in September.
But now that the deal has been completed, Stephane can now look forward to the possibility of making his debut for Argyle on Saturday against Brentford.
Saturday 13 November 2010
KEE ADDED TO NORTHERN IRELAND UNDER 21 SQUAD
Torquay United striker Billy Kee will be joining Gulls team-mate Eunan O'Kane in the Northern Ireland Under-21 side to face Scotland this week after receiving the late call-up to join the squad.
The game will be played on Wednesday at the Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, home of Partick Thistle and we will bring you any news of their involvement in the match.
The game will be played on Wednesday at the Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, home of Partick Thistle and we will bring you any news of their involvement in the match.
Thursday 11 November 2010
PETER SHILTON: THE ARGYLE YEARS #3
On the eve of the 1993-94 season, Peter Shilton found himself wheeling and dealing in the transfer market as he looked to improve on the Pilgrim’s disappointing final league finish of 14th.
Gary Poole and Warren Joyce were transferred to Southend United and Burnley respectively and they would later be followed out of Home Park by defender Andy ‘Jock’ Morrison who signed for Blackburn Rovers.
Full back Steve Morgan also moved to the Premier League and he was snapped up by Coventry City for a fee of £110,000.
Incoming players included Wayne Burnett, who was a makeweight in the deal that took Morrison to Ewood Park, left back Dominic Naylor arrived from Barnet and Andy Comyn and Mark Patterson both joined from Shilton’s former club Derby County.
However, there was one signing that Shilton made who would prove to be a very astute capture by the former England keeper. Alan Nicholls, a teenage goalkeeper who cost Argyle a mere £5,000 from Cheltenham Town, who would later receive international honours from England at Under-21 level during the season.
Off the field, Shilton drafted in his former Nottingham Forest European Cup winning colleague Ian Bowyer as Youth Coach.
Although the Pilgrims didn’t get off to the best of starts after losing 3-2 on the opening day of the season to Stockport County, a 2-2 draw against Hull City would prove to be the start of an upturn in their fortunes.
This was followed a week later with a 2-0 win over promotion candidates Port Vale and Argyle were soon souring up the table.
Central to their success was the quality of skipper Steve Castle who netted 21 goals from midfield during the campaign. He remains the only Plymouth Argyle player since Tommy Tynan to have achieving the feat of scoring 20 or more goals in any season.
Castle also achieved the distinction of scoring the fastest ever Plymouth Argyle hat-trick when he found the net three times in a 3-2 away win over Stockport County on Friday 17th December 1993 in the space of six minutes and seven seconds.
Scoring goals proved to be a great forte of Shilton’s side as they finished the season scoring 88 goals, more than any other team in the English leagues.
However, their goals against column read that they conceded 56, a figure which would later come back to haunt them at the end of the season.
A dip in form after the turn of the year would mean that the Pilgrims would enter their final game of the season away to Hartlepool United needing to win to secure the second automatic promotion spot. They were also hoping that fellow promotion contenders Port Vale and Stockport failed to win.
The Pilgrims would hammer Hartlepool 8-1, with Richard Landon netting a hat-trick and Paul Dalton scoring a brace, to equal their club record league win.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough in relation to their automatic promotion ambitions as Port Vale beat Brighton and Hove Albion to finish second in Division Two. The Pilgrims had been beaten 2-1 by the Valiants in February 1994 and that defeat came back to haunt them in the end as it proved to be the difference between winning automatic promotion and a Play-Off spot.
This meant that Argyle were consigned to the Play-Off lottery where they would face Burnley, who had finished the season with 12 less than them, over two legs.
In the first leg, the Pilgrims held the Clarets to a goalless draw despite the dismissal of centre-back Adrian Burrows, which left them playing much of the game with ten men.
Going into the return leg at Home Park, Argyle looked to be very much in the driving seat.
Sadly for the Pilgrims, they collapsed to a 3-1 defeat. After taking the lead through an early effort from Dwight Marshall, John Francis bagged a brace for the Clarets before former Pilgrim Warren Joyce added a third as Burnley booked their place at Wembley at Argyle’s expense.
Gary Poole and Warren Joyce were transferred to Southend United and Burnley respectively and they would later be followed out of Home Park by defender Andy ‘Jock’ Morrison who signed for Blackburn Rovers.
Full back Steve Morgan also moved to the Premier League and he was snapped up by Coventry City for a fee of £110,000.
Incoming players included Wayne Burnett, who was a makeweight in the deal that took Morrison to Ewood Park, left back Dominic Naylor arrived from Barnet and Andy Comyn and Mark Patterson both joined from Shilton’s former club Derby County.
However, there was one signing that Shilton made who would prove to be a very astute capture by the former England keeper. Alan Nicholls, a teenage goalkeeper who cost Argyle a mere £5,000 from Cheltenham Town, who would later receive international honours from England at Under-21 level during the season.
Off the field, Shilton drafted in his former Nottingham Forest European Cup winning colleague Ian Bowyer as Youth Coach.
Although the Pilgrims didn’t get off to the best of starts after losing 3-2 on the opening day of the season to Stockport County, a 2-2 draw against Hull City would prove to be the start of an upturn in their fortunes.
This was followed a week later with a 2-0 win over promotion candidates Port Vale and Argyle were soon souring up the table.
Central to their success was the quality of skipper Steve Castle who netted 21 goals from midfield during the campaign. He remains the only Plymouth Argyle player since Tommy Tynan to have achieving the feat of scoring 20 or more goals in any season.
Castle also achieved the distinction of scoring the fastest ever Plymouth Argyle hat-trick when he found the net three times in a 3-2 away win over Stockport County on Friday 17th December 1993 in the space of six minutes and seven seconds.
Scoring goals proved to be a great forte of Shilton’s side as they finished the season scoring 88 goals, more than any other team in the English leagues.
However, their goals against column read that they conceded 56, a figure which would later come back to haunt them at the end of the season.
A dip in form after the turn of the year would mean that the Pilgrims would enter their final game of the season away to Hartlepool United needing to win to secure the second automatic promotion spot. They were also hoping that fellow promotion contenders Port Vale and Stockport failed to win.
The Pilgrims would hammer Hartlepool 8-1, with Richard Landon netting a hat-trick and Paul Dalton scoring a brace, to equal their club record league win.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough in relation to their automatic promotion ambitions as Port Vale beat Brighton and Hove Albion to finish second in Division Two. The Pilgrims had been beaten 2-1 by the Valiants in February 1994 and that defeat came back to haunt them in the end as it proved to be the difference between winning automatic promotion and a Play-Off spot.
This meant that Argyle were consigned to the Play-Off lottery where they would face Burnley, who had finished the season with 12 less than them, over two legs.
In the first leg, the Pilgrims held the Clarets to a goalless draw despite the dismissal of centre-back Adrian Burrows, which left them playing much of the game with ten men.
Going into the return leg at Home Park, Argyle looked to be very much in the driving seat.
Sadly for the Pilgrims, they collapsed to a 3-1 defeat. After taking the lead through an early effort from Dwight Marshall, John Francis bagged a brace for the Clarets before former Pilgrim Warren Joyce added a third as Burnley booked their place at Wembley at Argyle’s expense.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
THE GRECIANS GO MARCHING ON
An early effort from Ryan Harley and a late strike from Daniel Nardiello helped to secure the local bragging rights for Exeter City in their Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash against Plymouth Argyle.
Chris Clark replied for the Pilgrims, but it was the Grecians who march on to the Semi-Finals in front of a crowd of 9,460.
The win now leaves Paul Tisdale's men within three matches of reaching the final at Wembley.
They are also one game away from equalling their best ever run in the competition of reaching the Southern Area Final, which they achieved in 1993 and 2000.
Chris Clark replied for the Pilgrims, but it was the Grecians who march on to the Semi-Finals in front of a crowd of 9,460.
The win now leaves Paul Tisdale's men within three matches of reaching the final at Wembley.
They are also one game away from equalling their best ever run in the competition of reaching the Southern Area Final, which they achieved in 1993 and 2000.
Tuesday 9 November 2010
TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
Tonight's Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Area Quarter Final clash between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City will be the first time that the two sides have faced each other since February 26th 2002.
Argyle, at the time, were on their way to clinching the Division Three title with a record 102 points and Exeter were later to lose their league status just over a year later.
Since then the Grecians have regained their league status and, following back to back promotions, are now establishing themselves as a League One club. The Pilgrims, on the other hand, were relegated from the Championship last season and have been extremely inconsistent during the current campaign.
It will also be the first time that the respective managers Peter Reid and Paul Tisdale have faced each other.
During his career as a player and as a manager, Reid has experienced derby matches in Merseyside, Manchester and the North East, so his experiences may prove to be beneficial to his players.
Tisdale has enjoyed consecutive promotions with the Grecians and guided them to a league win over Leeds United last season, only a week after the Yorkshire side had knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, so he is no stranger to big occasions.
For whoever does come out on top, they will be within three matches of a possible trip to Wembley and will also hold local bragging rights. However, the loser will be even keener for revenge when the two sides meet in the league on December 11th.
Argyle, at the time, were on their way to clinching the Division Three title with a record 102 points and Exeter were later to lose their league status just over a year later.
Since then the Grecians have regained their league status and, following back to back promotions, are now establishing themselves as a League One club. The Pilgrims, on the other hand, were relegated from the Championship last season and have been extremely inconsistent during the current campaign.
It will also be the first time that the respective managers Peter Reid and Paul Tisdale have faced each other.
During his career as a player and as a manager, Reid has experienced derby matches in Merseyside, Manchester and the North East, so his experiences may prove to be beneficial to his players.
Tisdale has enjoyed consecutive promotions with the Grecians and guided them to a league win over Leeds United last season, only a week after the Yorkshire side had knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup, so he is no stranger to big occasions.
For whoever does come out on top, they will be within three matches of a possible trip to Wembley and will also hold local bragging rights. However, the loser will be even keener for revenge when the two sides meet in the league on December 11th.
Monday 8 November 2010
PETER SHILTON: THE ARGYLE YEARS #2
Following their relegation on the final day of the 1991-92 season, Peter Shilton set about trying to assemble a squad that would lead the Pilgrims to promotion from the 'new' Division Two at the first attempt.
New faces soon arrived at Home Park, including Warren Joyce, Paul Dalton and Steve Castle who arrived from Preston North End, Hartlepool United and Leyton Orient respectively.
Right back Gary Poole later joined from Southend United and he was to be later joined by Paul Boardman, son of the comedian Stan. and former Everton goalkeeper, and understudy to Neville Southall, Ray Newland.
There were also a number of departures from Home Park as Nicky Marker joined Blackburn Rovers, with Keith Hill and Craig Skinner moving in the opposite direction and Rhys Wilmot joined Grimsby Town.
Argyle were installed by the bookmakers as the third favourites to win the Second Division title and that confidence seemed justified as the Pilgrims drew 0-0 with Mansfield Town on the opening day and they followed up that result with a 3-0 win at home to Bradford City.
However, the wind would soon be knocked out of Argyle's sails as Shilton received the first red card of his career against Hull City for bringing down the Tigers' Graeme Atkinson.
Their form also wasn't helped by injuries to key summer signings Paul Dalton and Steve Castle as the Home Park treatment read like a who's who of the Pilgrims squad.
The club's inconsistent form on the pitch wasn't helped either by the tempteous relationship between Shilton and Chairman Dan McCauley. This came to a head following a 3-0 defeat at home to Exeter City, which prompted an angry rant from McCauley in which he threatened to stop the players' wages.
Their response to the defeat and the criticism of the Chairman was defeat promotion chasing West Bromwich Albion 5-2 at the Hawthorns. However, their inconsistencies during the season meant that the Pilgrims would finish the campaign in 14th place, a position which arguably wasn't truly reflective of the talent of the players at Home Park at the time.
New faces soon arrived at Home Park, including Warren Joyce, Paul Dalton and Steve Castle who arrived from Preston North End, Hartlepool United and Leyton Orient respectively.
Right back Gary Poole later joined from Southend United and he was to be later joined by Paul Boardman, son of the comedian Stan. and former Everton goalkeeper, and understudy to Neville Southall, Ray Newland.
There were also a number of departures from Home Park as Nicky Marker joined Blackburn Rovers, with Keith Hill and Craig Skinner moving in the opposite direction and Rhys Wilmot joined Grimsby Town.
Argyle were installed by the bookmakers as the third favourites to win the Second Division title and that confidence seemed justified as the Pilgrims drew 0-0 with Mansfield Town on the opening day and they followed up that result with a 3-0 win at home to Bradford City.
However, the wind would soon be knocked out of Argyle's sails as Shilton received the first red card of his career against Hull City for bringing down the Tigers' Graeme Atkinson.
Their form also wasn't helped by injuries to key summer signings Paul Dalton and Steve Castle as the Home Park treatment read like a who's who of the Pilgrims squad.
The club's inconsistent form on the pitch wasn't helped either by the tempteous relationship between Shilton and Chairman Dan McCauley. This came to a head following a 3-0 defeat at home to Exeter City, which prompted an angry rant from McCauley in which he threatened to stop the players' wages.
Their response to the defeat and the criticism of the Chairman was defeat promotion chasing West Bromwich Albion 5-2 at the Hawthorns. However, their inconsistencies during the season meant that the Pilgrims would finish the campaign in 14th place, a position which arguably wasn't truly reflective of the talent of the players at Home Park at the time.
Sunday 7 November 2010
O'KANE TO ANSWER NORTHERN IRELAND UNDER-21 CALL
Torquay United midfielder Eunan O'Kane has been called up to the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad for forthcoming international with Scotland on November 17th.
If selected, Eunan will become only the second Torquay United contracted player to play senior level international football for one of the home nations. The only other player to achieve this feat was Alex Lawless, who appeared for Wales Under-21's against Northern Ireland in February 2006.
Eunan has represented Northern Ireland at all levels from Under-16's to the Under-21's, for whom he currently has three caps, and we would like to take the opportunity to wish him well with his future international prospects.
If selected, Eunan will become only the second Torquay United contracted player to play senior level international football for one of the home nations. The only other player to achieve this feat was Alex Lawless, who appeared for Wales Under-21's against Northern Ireland in February 2006.
Eunan has represented Northern Ireland at all levels from Under-16's to the Under-21's, for whom he currently has three caps, and we would like to take the opportunity to wish him well with his future international prospects.
GULLS AND GLOVERS CONTINUE TO FLY THE FLAG
Torquay United and Yeovil Town remain the only South West teams left in the 2010-11 FA Cup following yesterday's 1st round matches.
The Gulls came away from Field Mill with a 1-0 victory over their former Conference rivals Mansfield Town courtesy of an 87th minute strike from Elliot Benyon. Today's second round draw saw Torquay rewarded for their efforts with a home tie against either Walsall or Fleetwood Town.
Yeovil will on their travels again in the second round after defeating Rushden & Diamonds by a single goal at Nene Park from Andy Williams. A trip to either Hartlepool United or Vauxhall Motors awaits the Glovers in round two.
Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle both bowed out of the competition in disappointing fashion. The Grecians were beaten 2-0 at League Two promotion chasers Bury and Argyle were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Swindon Town at Home Park.
However, both the Grecians and the Pilgrims will have the chance to make amends for their disappointing cup exits when they face each other in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Quarter Finals on Tuesday.
The Gulls came away from Field Mill with a 1-0 victory over their former Conference rivals Mansfield Town courtesy of an 87th minute strike from Elliot Benyon. Today's second round draw saw Torquay rewarded for their efforts with a home tie against either Walsall or Fleetwood Town.
Yeovil will on their travels again in the second round after defeating Rushden & Diamonds by a single goal at Nene Park from Andy Williams. A trip to either Hartlepool United or Vauxhall Motors awaits the Glovers in round two.
Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle both bowed out of the competition in disappointing fashion. The Grecians were beaten 2-0 at League Two promotion chasers Bury and Argyle were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by Swindon Town at Home Park.
However, both the Grecians and the Pilgrims will have the chance to make amends for their disappointing cup exits when they face each other in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern Quarter Finals on Tuesday.
Friday 5 November 2010
FA CUP 1ST ROUND PREVIEW
This Saturday will see all four South West league sides embark on the road that will lead to Wembley in May as they get their 2010-11 FA Cup campaigns under way.
Plymouth Argyle were the only side given a home draw in the first round and they take on Swindon Town at Home Park. who they defeated 3-2 at the County Ground earlier in the season.
The Robins will no doubt be looking for revenge for that defeat but Peter Reid and Paul Mariner, both FA Cup winners during their playing days with Everton and Ipswich respectively, will be keen for the Pilgrims to enjoy a good run in the competition to boost their finances.
Torquay United have enjoyed good runs in the cup in recent years and have got as far as the second round stage in the past three seasons under Paul Buckle. In the 2008-09 campaign, the Gulls memorably beat Blackpool in the third round before narrowly bowing out to Coventry City in the fourth round.
This season, the Gulls travel to their former Conference rivals Mansfield Town, a side who are striving to get back into the Football League under David Holdsworth, who feature former Gulls Adam Murray and Tyrone Thompson in their ranks. It is also worth noting that under Buckle, the Gulls have only ever lost one cup tie against a side in a lower league than themselves ( St Albans City in the Setanta Shield in the 2007-08 season).
Another side tackling one of their former Conference contemporaries is Yeovil Town who face Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park. Back in the 2000-01, the Diamonds pipped the Glovers to the Conference title, which meant Yeovil would have to wait a further two seasons before they realised their dream of achieving League status.
However, the wait proved to be worthwhile as the Glovers quickly established themselves as a Football League side. Sadly for the Yeovil faithful, their cup form in recent years has been poor and they have been knocked out by non-league sides in three of the last four seasons, including a defeat at the hands of the Diamonds in the 2006-07 campaign. This is a record which Terry Skiverton will be looking to improve on.
Finally Exeter City travel to Greater Manchester to face League Two high flyers Bury. Grecians boss Paul Tisdale will have Jamie Cureton, Richard Logan and Richard Duffy available again after illness.
It is nearly six years since Exeter famously reached the third round and held Manchester United to a goalless draw and Tisdale will be looking to the Grecians side that appeared that day as a great source of inspiration.
Plymouth Argyle were the only side given a home draw in the first round and they take on Swindon Town at Home Park. who they defeated 3-2 at the County Ground earlier in the season.
The Robins will no doubt be looking for revenge for that defeat but Peter Reid and Paul Mariner, both FA Cup winners during their playing days with Everton and Ipswich respectively, will be keen for the Pilgrims to enjoy a good run in the competition to boost their finances.
Torquay United have enjoyed good runs in the cup in recent years and have got as far as the second round stage in the past three seasons under Paul Buckle. In the 2008-09 campaign, the Gulls memorably beat Blackpool in the third round before narrowly bowing out to Coventry City in the fourth round.
This season, the Gulls travel to their former Conference rivals Mansfield Town, a side who are striving to get back into the Football League under David Holdsworth, who feature former Gulls Adam Murray and Tyrone Thompson in their ranks. It is also worth noting that under Buckle, the Gulls have only ever lost one cup tie against a side in a lower league than themselves ( St Albans City in the Setanta Shield in the 2007-08 season).
Another side tackling one of their former Conference contemporaries is Yeovil Town who face Rushden & Diamonds at Nene Park. Back in the 2000-01, the Diamonds pipped the Glovers to the Conference title, which meant Yeovil would have to wait a further two seasons before they realised their dream of achieving League status.
However, the wait proved to be worthwhile as the Glovers quickly established themselves as a Football League side. Sadly for the Yeovil faithful, their cup form in recent years has been poor and they have been knocked out by non-league sides in three of the last four seasons, including a defeat at the hands of the Diamonds in the 2006-07 campaign. This is a record which Terry Skiverton will be looking to improve on.
Finally Exeter City travel to Greater Manchester to face League Two high flyers Bury. Grecians boss Paul Tisdale will have Jamie Cureton, Richard Logan and Richard Duffy available again after illness.
It is nearly six years since Exeter famously reached the third round and held Manchester United to a goalless draw and Tisdale will be looking to the Grecians side that appeared that day as a great source of inspiration.
Thursday 4 November 2010
PETER SHILTON: THE ARGYLE YEARS #1
With Former England goalkeeper and Plymouth Argyle Peter Shilton recently appearing on Saturday evening's on Strictly Come Dancing, we will be looking back at his reign as manager of the Pilgrims as part of a four part series.
On March 2nd 1992, England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton was unveiled as the new manager of Plymouth Argyle.
He replaced David Kemp after new Chairman Dan McCauley decided it was a time of fresh direction at Home Park following a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of John Beck's Cambridge United.
At the time of his appointment, Argyle were battling against relegation from the 'old' Division Two, the Championship in new money, and had spent a number of seasons treading water after winning promotion under Dave Smith in 1986.
Although Shilton had little in the way of managerial experience and despite the old saying in the game that goalkeepers don't make good managers, he had played under managerial greats such as Sir Alf Ramsey, Brian Clough and Sir Bobby Robson, so many followers of the Pilgrims were keen to see what he had learnt from playing under such names.
One of his first acts as manager was to appoint his former Nottingham Forest team-mate John McGovern as his assistant.
Shilton's managerial debut came against one of his former club's Derby County as the Pilgrims picked up a creditable 1-1 draw.
New signings were quickly made as striker Kevin Nugent was recruited from Leyton Orient and midfielder Steve McCall, a UEFA Cup winner with Ipswich Town in 1981, arrived from Sheffield Wednesday.
However, despite the new arrivals, Shilton was unable to pull Argyle clear of the relegation zone as they went into their final game of the season at home to promotion Blackburn Rovers, then managed by Kenny Dalglish, needing a win to stay up.
A crowd of 17,459 poured into Home Park to witness the encounter which the Pilgrims lost 3-1 as David Speedie bagged a hat-trick for Rovers which propelled them into the Play-Offs, which they later won to secure promotion to the Premier League, and condemned Argyle to a place into the 'new' Division Two.
The next task for Shilton was to build a side that could lead the Pilgrims to promotion at the first attempt.
On March 2nd 1992, England goalkeeping legend Peter Shilton was unveiled as the new manager of Plymouth Argyle.
He replaced David Kemp after new Chairman Dan McCauley decided it was a time of fresh direction at Home Park following a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of John Beck's Cambridge United.
At the time of his appointment, Argyle were battling against relegation from the 'old' Division Two, the Championship in new money, and had spent a number of seasons treading water after winning promotion under Dave Smith in 1986.
Although Shilton had little in the way of managerial experience and despite the old saying in the game that goalkeepers don't make good managers, he had played under managerial greats such as Sir Alf Ramsey, Brian Clough and Sir Bobby Robson, so many followers of the Pilgrims were keen to see what he had learnt from playing under such names.
One of his first acts as manager was to appoint his former Nottingham Forest team-mate John McGovern as his assistant.
Shilton's managerial debut came against one of his former club's Derby County as the Pilgrims picked up a creditable 1-1 draw.
New signings were quickly made as striker Kevin Nugent was recruited from Leyton Orient and midfielder Steve McCall, a UEFA Cup winner with Ipswich Town in 1981, arrived from Sheffield Wednesday.
However, despite the new arrivals, Shilton was unable to pull Argyle clear of the relegation zone as they went into their final game of the season at home to promotion Blackburn Rovers, then managed by Kenny Dalglish, needing a win to stay up.
A crowd of 17,459 poured into Home Park to witness the encounter which the Pilgrims lost 3-1 as David Speedie bagged a hat-trick for Rovers which propelled them into the Play-Offs, which they later won to secure promotion to the Premier League, and condemned Argyle to a place into the 'new' Division Two.
The next task for Shilton was to build a side that could lead the Pilgrims to promotion at the first attempt.
Monday 1 November 2010
JOHN BENSON 1942-2010
Many followers of Torquay United will no doubt be shocked by the recent death of former skipper John Benson.
Born in Arbroath in 1942, John was brought to Plainmoor in 1964 by Eric Webber and became a cornerstone of the United side that enjoyed much success under Webber's predecessor Frank O'Farrell.
Prior to the arrival of O'Farrell, John appeared in the Torquay side that held Tottenham Hotspur to a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup Third Round in the 1964-65 season.
Originally signed as a wing-half, John was converted into a sweeper by O'Farrell and skippered the Gulls to promotion from Division Four in O'Farrell's first full season in charge, the 1965-66 campaign.
He then became a cornerstone of the United side that became an established force in the 'old' Third Division before he joined AFC Bournemouth in 1970, becoming one of a number of Torquay players who were enticed to Dean Court by his former Gulls team-mate John Bond.
After he retired from playing, John managed Bournemouth, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic and also coached at Norwich City and held roles in Dubai and Kuwait. In recent years, he was part of Steve Bruce's backroom staff at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland.
Born in Arbroath in 1942, John was brought to Plainmoor in 1964 by Eric Webber and became a cornerstone of the United side that enjoyed much success under Webber's predecessor Frank O'Farrell.
Prior to the arrival of O'Farrell, John appeared in the Torquay side that held Tottenham Hotspur to a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup Third Round in the 1964-65 season.
Originally signed as a wing-half, John was converted into a sweeper by O'Farrell and skippered the Gulls to promotion from Division Four in O'Farrell's first full season in charge, the 1965-66 campaign.
He then became a cornerstone of the United side that became an established force in the 'old' Third Division before he joined AFC Bournemouth in 1970, becoming one of a number of Torquay players who were enticed to Dean Court by his former Gulls team-mate John Bond.
After he retired from playing, John managed Bournemouth, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic and also coached at Norwich City and held roles in Dubai and Kuwait. In recent years, he was part of Steve Bruce's backroom staff at Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic and Sunderland.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)