Pitch inspection pending, tomorrow's League Two encounter between Plymouth Argyle and Southend United will mark Paul Sturrock's first visit to Home Park since the end of his second spell in charge of the Pilgrims.
In his first stint in charge, Sturrock led Argyle to consecutive league titles, in 2002 and 2004 respectively, as the Pilgrims rose from the 'old' Division Three, League Two in new money, to the Championship.
When he returned to Home Park, during the 2007-08 season , following spells with Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town, as successor to Ian Holloway.
However, he failed to replicate the successes of his first spell and the club gradually slipped into what would become a rapid decline.
The masterclass of mis-management off-the-field which followed eventually saw the Pilgrims enter Administration and slide towards near oblivion before being rescued by James Brent.
His Southend squad, which are challenging for promotion from League Two, contains several former Argyle players, including Chris Barker, Ryan Leonard, Peter Gilbert, Blair Sturrock as well as Player-Coach Graham Coughlan and striker Liam Dickinson, who nearly joined the Pilgrims last summer.
The current Argyle side also includes a number of players who worked under Sturrock, including Paul Wotton, Nick Chadwick and Simon Walton and Manager Carl Fletcher and his assistant Romain Larrieu. In fact three of those five (Walton, Fletcher and Larrieu) were first brought to Home Park by Sturrock.
It promises to be an interesting encounter and one that could shape the destiny of both side's fortunes this season.
Providing it passes the pitch inspection at 8am of course.
