Before I go any further, I would like to dedicate this article to the staff of Plymouth Argyle Football Club who spent most of the year working without pay whilst the club was in Administration.
Their hard work during these difficult times helped to preserve 125 years of the club's history and, as long as professional football is played in Plymouth, their efforts should never be forgotten.
The year started with a number of player departures in the January transfer window as Craig Noone joined Brighton, Bradley Wright-Phillips headed for Charlton Athletic, after a move to Reading fell through, and Benin international defender Reda Johnson was snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday.
However, the money raised from the sales of the previously mentioned players merely provided the club with a stay of execution as they were docked ten points at the end of February 2011, after it was announced that they intended to appoint an Administrator.
This plunged Argyle into the League One drop zone as the club officially entered Administration on March 4th 2011 and Brendan Guilfoyle of the P&A partnership was appointed to run the club.
Despite the best efforts, Peter Reid's men were unable to beat the drop and suffered a second consecutive relegation.
Off the field, Reid did his best to help the Pilgrims' survival cause, as he donated his 1986 FA Cup Runners-Up medal to an auction to raise funds to help save the club, which was one of many events organised by the Green Taverners to aid the club in their hour of need.
The close season saw a number of bids for the club made by a number of different people including local businessman James Brent and South East based Paul Buttivant before the chosen preferred bidder was unveiled as Bishop's International Ltd, a Gilbraltar based company headed by Truro City Chairman Kevin Heaney.
This was after the club's creditors agreed to accept a deal that would see them receive 0.77p in the pound on the amount that they were owed by the club.
As part of the deal, Bishop's International would buy the club and then sell it for £1 to Acting Chairman Peter Ridsdale, whilst retaining ownership of Home Park.
However, as the start of the 2011-12 season drew closer, Heaney and Bishop International seemed to be no closer to proving they had the necessary funding to complete the deal.
Fans signed a 3,000 strong petition begging Mr Guilfoyle to consider an alternative bid from Brent.
At this time, the staff continued to defer the salaries and there were yet more departures on the playing side as Joe Mason, Yala Bolasie and Jack Stephens were all sold to Cardiff City, Bristol City and Southampton respectively.
Part Two to follow tomorrow.
