For Plymouth Argyle, their 2015-16 Sky League Two campaign started and ended against AFC Wimbledon - but the fairy tale belonged to the Dons, as they defeated the Pilgrims to triumph in the division's Play-off final at Wembley.
On the opening day of the season Argyle triumphed 2-0 at the Kingsmeadow Stadium, with Gregg Wylde and Graham Carey finding the target.
However, beneath the Wembley arch - in what was the final domestic fixture of the current campaign - second half goals from Lyle Taylor and former Torquay United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa - who struck from the penalty spot in his final game for the club - ensured that AFC Wimbledon achieved a mirror image of that result.
It also means that the Dons, who were founded 14 years ago in response to the FA sanctioning the relocation of the original Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes, secured their passage to the third tier of English football for the first time in their short history.
In addition to this, it will also mean that they will face the Milton Keynes Dons, the club that were born out of the FA's decision to remove the 1988 FA Cup winners from their south London origins, in the league next season.
If some things in life are meant to be perhaps this is one of them.
However, for the Pilgrims and Derek Adams it is now back to the drawing board as they will now have to make plans for Argyle's 2016-17 campaign in League Two.
Instead of Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic as opponents for Argyle, it will be Portsmouth and Exeter City again amongst others; they will also be facing Blackpool for the first time since former manager Ian Holloway returned to Home Park with the Tangerines in March 2010.
Tuesday 31 May 2016
Sunday 29 May 2016
ARGYLE SQUAD'S PREVIOUS CUP FINAL EXPERIENCE
Ahead of tomorrow's Sky Bet League Two Play-off final between Plymouth Argyle and AFC Wimbledon, we will now look at the previous experience that the current Pilgrims' squad have of playing in cup finals.
Kelvin Mellor - Twice a Wembley winner whilst with Crewe Alexandra, he helped the Railwaymen to win the League Two Play-off final against Cheltenham Town in the 2011-12 and, a year later, he was part of the Crewe side that beat Southend United that lifting the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2013.
Carl McHugh - The Irishman appeared in one half of Bradford City's Wembley double of the 2012-13 season. He appeared for the Bantams in their Capital One Cup final appearance against Swansea City, which they lost 5-0, and was amongst the scorers in their semi-final win over Aston Villa.
Graham Carey - Was an 81st minute substitute in St Mirren's Scottish League Cup triumph of the 2012-13 season, which the Paisley based side won for the first time ever.
Gregg Wylde - Played the full 90 minutes in Rangers' 2011 Scottish League Cup win over Celtic, alongside Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty who will both be appearing for Northern Ireland in Euro 2016 this summer.
Jamille Matt - Was an unused substitute in Fleetwood Town's 2014 League Two Play-off final victory over Burton Albion.
And the management team.
Paul Wotton - Whilst Argyle's 1996 Play-off appearance came just too soon in his career - he was only 18 at the time and had only made a handful of first team appearances - he did get to play in the 2010 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, when the Saints beat Carlisle United 4-1.
Craig Brewster - The Pilgrims' first team coach scored the winning goal in Dundee United's 1994 Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, which was the first time that the Terrors had won the trophy.
Derek Adams - Argyle manager Adams was part of the Ross County side that won the 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup, as player-coach and four years later, as manager of the Staggies, led them to their first ever Scottish Cup final appearance where they were beaten by Dundee United.
Kelvin Mellor - Twice a Wembley winner whilst with Crewe Alexandra, he helped the Railwaymen to win the League Two Play-off final against Cheltenham Town in the 2011-12 and, a year later, he was part of the Crewe side that beat Southend United that lifting the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2013.
Carl McHugh - The Irishman appeared in one half of Bradford City's Wembley double of the 2012-13 season. He appeared for the Bantams in their Capital One Cup final appearance against Swansea City, which they lost 5-0, and was amongst the scorers in their semi-final win over Aston Villa.
Graham Carey - Was an 81st minute substitute in St Mirren's Scottish League Cup triumph of the 2012-13 season, which the Paisley based side won for the first time ever.
Gregg Wylde - Played the full 90 minutes in Rangers' 2011 Scottish League Cup win over Celtic, alongside Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty who will both be appearing for Northern Ireland in Euro 2016 this summer.
Jamille Matt - Was an unused substitute in Fleetwood Town's 2014 League Two Play-off final victory over Burton Albion.
And the management team.
Paul Wotton - Whilst Argyle's 1996 Play-off appearance came just too soon in his career - he was only 18 at the time and had only made a handful of first team appearances - he did get to play in the 2010 Johnstone's Paint Trophy final, when the Saints beat Carlisle United 4-1.
Craig Brewster - The Pilgrims' first team coach scored the winning goal in Dundee United's 1994 Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers, which was the first time that the Terrors had won the trophy.
Derek Adams - Argyle manager Adams was part of the Ross County side that won the 2006 Scottish Challenge Cup, as player-coach and four years later, as manager of the Staggies, led them to their first ever Scottish Cup final appearance where they were beaten by Dundee United.
NATIONAL LEAGUE TEAM OF THE SEASON: 2015-16
Now the 2015-16 Vanarama National League is done and dusted, I will now
undertake the difficult task of naming my team of the season – based on the
matches that I witnessed over the course of the campaign covering Torquay
United for the Non League Paper.
Formation: (4-3-3)
James McKeown (Grimsby Town): In goal I have plumped for
Grimsby Town goalkeeper James McKeown. A strong shot stopper who commands his
area well, it is unlikely that McKeown will look out of place in League Two
next season – after he helped the Mariners to end their six-year exile from the
Football League.
Lee Vaughan (Tranmere Rovers): If there are 72 better
right-backs in the Football League than Tranmere’s Lee Vaughan then I’d be very
surprised. Strong defensively and dangerous on the overlap - the latter
emphasised by the crucial role he played in setting up Michael Higdon for
Tranmere’s winner against Torquay in April – Vaughan looks set to be a key
figure in Rovers’ renewed bid for a Football League return next season.
Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town): With a brand new squad built
from scratch, it was important that Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson filled his
team with strong characters and Australian defender Aaron Downes was one such
player. After being handed the captain’s armband, Downes played a key role in
helping the Robins make a strong start and proved to be a threat in both boxes -
chipping in with a number of headed goals from set pieces before he was struck
down by injury. However, he continued to be a key figure off the field as
Johnson’s men broke the 100 point barrier.
Nathan Smith (Torquay United (Port Vale): Perhaps former Gulls’
manager Paul Cox’s shrewdest signing during his brief tenure in charge of
Torquay, Smith originally joined the Gulls on loan under Cox, an agreement
which was later extended under Cox’s predecessor Kevin Nicholson. He played a key role in the Gulls’ great escape, narrowly edging out centre back
partner and captain Angus MacDonald from this team. Despite being short in
stature for a centre back, Smith stands at five foot ten inches, his reading of
the game and his mobility made up for his lack of height, as he scored three
goals in a struggling team and won the club’s player of the year award. Don’t
be surprised if he manages to break into the Port Vale first team, or turns up
on loan at a League Two club next season.
Sean Newton (Wrexham): With a frame that stands well over six
feet, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Sean Newton ended up as a centre back
later in his career. However, in the present he delivers a good dead ball from
free-kicks and corners, which has provided his side with a number of assists –
including the winner in the Red Dragons’ visit to the Launa Windows Stadium in
December. He also contributed seven goals himself to Wrexham’s goal tally. Having
agreed a new one-year deal to stay at the Racecourse Stadium for next season,
he looks set to be an important for the Red Dragons as manager Gary Mills bids to end Wrexham’s eight-year exile in the National
League.
Nortei Nortey (Welling United): Welling United won’t be playing
in the National League next season, but Chelsea youngster Nortei Nortey
deserves to be. Apart from having possibly the best name in football, he also
possesses an eye for a pass and in a team challenging at the end of the table,
he could surely shine brightly given the opportunity.
Kyle Storer
(Cheltenham Town): An experienced head to play alongside two younger, more
attack minded players in this side. Storer took over the Cheltenham Town
captain’s armband after Aaron Downes succumbed to injury, and the former
Kidderminster Harriers and Wrexham man helped the Robins to achieve their dream
of an instant return to League Two following last season’s relegation.
Nicky Deverdics (Dover Athletic): Whilst
Barnsley bound Stefan Payne took a lot of the headlines for Chris Kinnear’s Dover,
Nicky Deverdics was pulling the strings for Dover in midfield – creating the chances
for Payne and fellow striker Ricky Miller to feed off. It wouldn’t be a major
shock to see Deverdics following in the footsteps of Payne in making the step
up to the Football League in the near future.
Lewis Emmanuel (Bromley): One of the
bright spots of Bromley’s first season in the National League, after winning
promotion from the Conference South in the 2014-15 campaign, was the displays of striker Lewis
Emmanuel. He marked his first season in the top-flight of
non-league football by netting over 20 goals, including a first half hat-trick
at the Launa Windows Stadium in September, as the Ravens achieved a respectable mid-table
finish in their maiden National League campaign.
Matt Rhead (Lincoln City): Aesthetically Matt Rhead doesn’t
look like a professional athlete, let alone a footballer. But what he lacks in
pace, he more than makes up for in know-how and a telepathic understanding with
strike partner Liam Hearn makes them one of the most feared strike partnership
in the National League. He already has one promotion under his belt, after
helping Mansfield to win promotion in 2013, and there is always a chance that he
could achieve another one next under the management of former Braintree boss
Danny Cowley.
Simeon Akinola (Braintree Town): With plenty of pace and
trickery, Simeon Akinola has been a key figure in helping the Iron emerge as
one of the surprise packages in the National League under the management of the
now departed Danny Cowley. He has already been linked with several league clubs
during the course of the season just gone; it would not be a surprise to see
him make the step up to League Two, or even League One, but I wouldn’t rule out
the possibility of him following Cowley to Sincil Bank in a move that would see
him become a team-mate of Matt Rhead for real.
Tuesday 24 May 2016
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE'S WEMBLEY 1996 SIDE
Ahead of Plymouth Argyle's appearance in the Sky Bet League Two Play-off final on Easter Monday, we will now look back at the Pilgrims' side that defeated Darlington 1-0 on May 25th 1996 in their only other previous Wembley outing.
Steve Cherry:
Argyle's Play-off final appearance proved to be the final appearance of the second of Cherry's two spells with the Pilgrims, which was his third Play-off success under Neil Warnock having enjoyed two promotion successes under him at Notts County. Spells at a variety of clubs, ranging from Rotherham United to Oldham Athletic to Belper Town followed before he became goalkeeping coach at Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town.
Mark Patterson:
Former Derby County defender Patterson was the only player in the Argyle line-up to have been signed by Warnock's predecessor Peter Shilton. It was Patterson's cross that set up Ronnie Mauge for the Pilgrims' decisive goal. He moved to Gillingham in 1997 and became a youth coach for the Gills after he retired.
Chris Curran:
The Pilgrims' Wembley triumph was the second time that Curran had triumphed under the Twin Towers, as he had helped Torquay United win promotion from Division Four in 1991 against Blackpool. Curran would go onto join the select band of players to have appeared for all three Devon sides when he signed for Exeter City in 1997.
Mick Heathcote:
Argyle's captain for the day, Mick Heathcote remained with the Pilgrims until 2001 when he was released by Paul Sturrock and became the last of the Wembley side to leave Home Park. He subsequently re-joined Shrewsbury Town for a second spell before drifting into non-league football.
Richard Logan:
One of several players who had played under Warnock at his previous club Huddersfield Town, Logan left Argyle for Scunthorpe United in 1998 and later played for Lincoln City and Gainsborough Trinity. He is now a builder in his native Barnsley.
Paul Williams:
Left-back Paul Williams joined the Pilgrims for £50,000 from Coventry City and made the Third Division PFA team of the year, along with Mick Heathcote. He was another player who left the Pilgrims in 1998 when he signed for Gillingham before being reunited with Neil Warnock at Bury, where he finished his professional career.
Martin Barlow:
After making his debut in 1989, Martin Barlow remained with the Pilgrims until 2001, completing 12 years at Home Park. During this time, he was the joint-winner of the club's Player of the Year award with Carlo Corazzin in 1998 and was rewarded with a testimonial against Fulham in 1999, before he crossed the Devon Expressway to sign for Exeter City. He still lives and works in Plymouth and regularly turns out for the Argyle Legends team.
Ronnie Mauge:
To date the only player to score for Plymouth Argyle at Wembley with his 65th minute header- although that could have changed by full time on Monday - Ronnie Mauge remained with the Pilgrims for a further three years when he was released in 1999. He then joined Bristol Rovers, where he finished his career in 2002 through injury before dropping into non-league football.
Chris Leadbitter:
Having already won two promotions with Cambridge United under John Beck, Man of the Match Chris Leadbitter made it a promotion hat-trick with the Pilgrims, who he would have two spells with during his career. He would leave Home Park in 1997 when, following a brief spell with Dorchester Town, Leadbitter joined Torquay United and would appear for the Gulls in the 1998 Wembley appearance against Colchester United. He was brought back to Argyle by Kevin Hodges in 1999 and remained with the Pilgrims for two more years before retiring through injury.
Adrian Littlejohn:
Signed from Sheffield United in September 1995 for a fee of £200,000, Adrian Littlejohn finished the 1995-96 season as the Pilgrims' top scorer in the with 17 goals. He would go on to play under Neil Warnock again for further three different clubs (Oldham Athletic, Bury and Sheffield United) before eventually ending his career in non-league football with Leek Town and Retford United.
Mickey Evans:
The Pilgrims' Wembley success was the first of three promotions that Plymouth-born Mickey Evans would win with Argyle. He would leave the Pilgrims for Premiership side Southampton for a fee of £650,000 midway through the 1996-97 season, and won the Premier League Player of the Month award for April 1997. He was later capped by the Republic of Ireland and appeared for West Bromwich Albion and Bristol Rovers before Paul Sturrock brought him back to Home Park in March 2001 for a fee of £30,000. 'Trigger' as he was affectionately known was a regular for the Pilgrims as they won the Division Three title in the 2001-02 season and the Division Two title in the 2003-04 campaign, and he also helped to re-establish Argyle in the Championship until he was released in 2006. A brief spell with Torquay United followed before he finally hung up his boots to concentrate on his building company, which he runs in partnership with former Pilgrims' director Phill Gill.
Neil Warnock:
Argyle's Play-off success was the fourth such triumph of Neil Warnock's career which, together with his previous successes with Notts County (twice) and Huddersfield Town is a record. He also jointly holds the record for the number of promotion wins (seven) with Dave Bassett and Graham Taylor.
After leaving the Pilgrims, following an acrimonious fall-out with Chairman Dan McCauley during the 1996-97 season - which saw him sacked, Warnock went onto manage Oldham Athletic, Bury and his boyhood club Sheffield United - who he led to promotion to the Premier League in the 2005-06 season. He then took charge of Crystal Palace (twice), QPR - who he won the Championship title with in the 2010-11 campaign - Leeds United and Rotherham United. He led the latter to Championship safety earlier this season, and his passion for management remains as strong as ever.
Steve Cherry:
Argyle's Play-off final appearance proved to be the final appearance of the second of Cherry's two spells with the Pilgrims, which was his third Play-off success under Neil Warnock having enjoyed two promotion successes under him at Notts County. Spells at a variety of clubs, ranging from Rotherham United to Oldham Athletic to Belper Town followed before he became goalkeeping coach at Lincoln City and Macclesfield Town.
Mark Patterson:
Former Derby County defender Patterson was the only player in the Argyle line-up to have been signed by Warnock's predecessor Peter Shilton. It was Patterson's cross that set up Ronnie Mauge for the Pilgrims' decisive goal. He moved to Gillingham in 1997 and became a youth coach for the Gills after he retired.
Chris Curran:
The Pilgrims' Wembley triumph was the second time that Curran had triumphed under the Twin Towers, as he had helped Torquay United win promotion from Division Four in 1991 against Blackpool. Curran would go onto join the select band of players to have appeared for all three Devon sides when he signed for Exeter City in 1997.
Mick Heathcote:
Argyle's captain for the day, Mick Heathcote remained with the Pilgrims until 2001 when he was released by Paul Sturrock and became the last of the Wembley side to leave Home Park. He subsequently re-joined Shrewsbury Town for a second spell before drifting into non-league football.
Richard Logan:
One of several players who had played under Warnock at his previous club Huddersfield Town, Logan left Argyle for Scunthorpe United in 1998 and later played for Lincoln City and Gainsborough Trinity. He is now a builder in his native Barnsley.
Paul Williams:
Left-back Paul Williams joined the Pilgrims for £50,000 from Coventry City and made the Third Division PFA team of the year, along with Mick Heathcote. He was another player who left the Pilgrims in 1998 when he signed for Gillingham before being reunited with Neil Warnock at Bury, where he finished his professional career.
Martin Barlow:
After making his debut in 1989, Martin Barlow remained with the Pilgrims until 2001, completing 12 years at Home Park. During this time, he was the joint-winner of the club's Player of the Year award with Carlo Corazzin in 1998 and was rewarded with a testimonial against Fulham in 1999, before he crossed the Devon Expressway to sign for Exeter City. He still lives and works in Plymouth and regularly turns out for the Argyle Legends team.
Ronnie Mauge:
To date the only player to score for Plymouth Argyle at Wembley with his 65th minute header- although that could have changed by full time on Monday - Ronnie Mauge remained with the Pilgrims for a further three years when he was released in 1999. He then joined Bristol Rovers, where he finished his career in 2002 through injury before dropping into non-league football.
Chris Leadbitter:
Having already won two promotions with Cambridge United under John Beck, Man of the Match Chris Leadbitter made it a promotion hat-trick with the Pilgrims, who he would have two spells with during his career. He would leave Home Park in 1997 when, following a brief spell with Dorchester Town, Leadbitter joined Torquay United and would appear for the Gulls in the 1998 Wembley appearance against Colchester United. He was brought back to Argyle by Kevin Hodges in 1999 and remained with the Pilgrims for two more years before retiring through injury.
Adrian Littlejohn:
Signed from Sheffield United in September 1995 for a fee of £200,000, Adrian Littlejohn finished the 1995-96 season as the Pilgrims' top scorer in the with 17 goals. He would go on to play under Neil Warnock again for further three different clubs (Oldham Athletic, Bury and Sheffield United) before eventually ending his career in non-league football with Leek Town and Retford United.
Mickey Evans:
The Pilgrims' Wembley success was the first of three promotions that Plymouth-born Mickey Evans would win with Argyle. He would leave the Pilgrims for Premiership side Southampton for a fee of £650,000 midway through the 1996-97 season, and won the Premier League Player of the Month award for April 1997. He was later capped by the Republic of Ireland and appeared for West Bromwich Albion and Bristol Rovers before Paul Sturrock brought him back to Home Park in March 2001 for a fee of £30,000. 'Trigger' as he was affectionately known was a regular for the Pilgrims as they won the Division Three title in the 2001-02 season and the Division Two title in the 2003-04 campaign, and he also helped to re-establish Argyle in the Championship until he was released in 2006. A brief spell with Torquay United followed before he finally hung up his boots to concentrate on his building company, which he runs in partnership with former Pilgrims' director Phill Gill.
Neil Warnock:
Argyle's Play-off success was the fourth such triumph of Neil Warnock's career which, together with his previous successes with Notts County (twice) and Huddersfield Town is a record. He also jointly holds the record for the number of promotion wins (seven) with Dave Bassett and Graham Taylor.
After leaving the Pilgrims, following an acrimonious fall-out with Chairman Dan McCauley during the 1996-97 season - which saw him sacked, Warnock went onto manage Oldham Athletic, Bury and his boyhood club Sheffield United - who he led to promotion to the Premier League in the 2005-06 season. He then took charge of Crystal Palace (twice), QPR - who he won the Championship title with in the 2010-11 campaign - Leeds United and Rotherham United. He led the latter to Championship safety earlier this season, and his passion for management remains as strong as ever.
Wednesday 18 May 2016
ALL ROADS LEAD TO WEMBLEY FOR THE PILGRIMS
Two decades after their first trip to Wembley, Plymouth Argyle are now set to embark on their second trip to the home of football after overcoming Portsmouth in the 'Battle of the Ports' in the semi-finals.
A 2-2 draw in the first leg at Fratton Park - thanks to a brace from on loan striker Jamille Matt - was followed by a last gasp 1-0 win at Home Park courtesy of an injury time effort from Peter Hartley.
It now means that 20 years from their first Wembley - for the 1996 Division Three Play off final, which the Pilgrims won 1-0 through a header from Ronnie Mauge.
Awaiting Argyle in the final will be either AFC Wimbledon or Accrington Stanley - the Dons have Play-off pedigree of their own after clinching their promotion to the Football League by beating Luton Town in the 2011 Conference Play-off final, whilst Stanley were losing semi-finalists to Stevenage in League Two during the 2010-11 campaign.
A 2-2 draw in the first leg at Fratton Park - thanks to a brace from on loan striker Jamille Matt - was followed by a last gasp 1-0 win at Home Park courtesy of an injury time effort from Peter Hartley.
It now means that 20 years from their first Wembley - for the 1996 Division Three Play off final, which the Pilgrims won 1-0 through a header from Ronnie Mauge.
Awaiting Argyle in the final will be either AFC Wimbledon or Accrington Stanley - the Dons have Play-off pedigree of their own after clinching their promotion to the Football League by beating Luton Town in the 2011 Conference Play-off final, whilst Stanley were losing semi-finalists to Stevenage in League Two during the 2010-11 campaign.
Sunday 8 May 2016
REMEMBER THE NAME - LOUIS ROONEY
It proved to be debut to remember for Plymouth Argyle starlet Louis Rooney, as he netted twice for the Pilgrims in their final day demolition of Hartlepool United.
Tyler Harvey's first two goals of the season for Argyle ensured that they were 2-0 up inside the opening 25 minutes before Rooney opened his account in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, skipper Curtis Nelson added a fourth and it was then left to Rooney to complete his brace with the Pilgrims' fifth of the afternoon seven minutes from time.
The afternoon was made even more memorable by the travelling contingent of 521 Hartlepool fans, many of whom were dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers for the 387 mile round journey.
One of the most pleasing aspects of Argyle's display was that all of their goals were scored by players who had previously come through the club's youth system - although Nelson had joined the Pilgrims as an apprentice at 16, after being released by Stoke City.
In recent years, many players who have come through the club's youth scheme have either left before making a first team appearance - such as Lloyd Jones, Sam Gallagher or Christian Walton who departed Home Park for Liverpool, Southampton or Brighton respectively (Walton did return to the Pilgrims on loan this season) - or been released before being given the opportunity to develop to their true potential like Isaac Vassell or Luke Young, who are now plying their trades at Truro City and Torquay United.
If Rooney and Harvey can break into the Argyle first team, then it will give the Pilgrims' supporters their first locally produced players that they can identify with since Joe Mason, who moved to Cardiff City in 2011.
Meanwhile, Argyle now have a two-legged 'Dockyard Derby' Play-off semi-final with Portsmouth to look forward to. Argyle travel to Fratton Park to face Pompey in the first leg on Thursday before the re-match at Home Park on the following Sunday.
Tyler Harvey's first two goals of the season for Argyle ensured that they were 2-0 up inside the opening 25 minutes before Rooney opened his account in the 58th minute.
Three minutes later, skipper Curtis Nelson added a fourth and it was then left to Rooney to complete his brace with the Pilgrims' fifth of the afternoon seven minutes from time.
The afternoon was made even more memorable by the travelling contingent of 521 Hartlepool fans, many of whom were dressed as Star Wars stormtroopers for the 387 mile round journey.
One of the most pleasing aspects of Argyle's display was that all of their goals were scored by players who had previously come through the club's youth system - although Nelson had joined the Pilgrims as an apprentice at 16, after being released by Stoke City.
In recent years, many players who have come through the club's youth scheme have either left before making a first team appearance - such as Lloyd Jones, Sam Gallagher or Christian Walton who departed Home Park for Liverpool, Southampton or Brighton respectively (Walton did return to the Pilgrims on loan this season) - or been released before being given the opportunity to develop to their true potential like Isaac Vassell or Luke Young, who are now plying their trades at Truro City and Torquay United.
If Rooney and Harvey can break into the Argyle first team, then it will give the Pilgrims' supporters their first locally produced players that they can identify with since Joe Mason, who moved to Cardiff City in 2011.
Meanwhile, Argyle now have a two-legged 'Dockyard Derby' Play-off semi-final with Portsmouth to look forward to. Argyle travel to Fratton Park to face Pompey in the first leg on Thursday before the re-match at Home Park on the following Sunday.
WHEN THE PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS CAME TO THE SOUTH WEST
In winning their first ever Premier League title this season, Leicester City have captured the imagination of the nation with an achievement that has given hope to every club across the country.
What is not so quite as well known is that the Foxes also share a distinction with the 1995 champions Blackburn Rovers in being the last league champions to have played a competitive fixture in the South West before going on to clinch their title.
Blackburn did so when they faced Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the 1991-92 season before winning the Premier League three years in 1995. Leicester, however, played Torquay United in the Capital One Cup first round in the 2012-13 season, before facing Yeovil Town home and away during the 2013-14 campaign in the Championship.
We will now take a close look at those fixtures.
Torquay United 0 Leicester City 4 (Lloyd Dyer, Ben Marshall, Matt James, Jamie Vardy) - August 11th 2012
Leicester produced a four-star display to comprehensively knock the Gulls out of the Capital One Cup.
First half goals from Lloyd Dyer and Ben Marshall set the Foxes on their way before Matt James and Jamie Vardy - with his first goal for the club - struck in the second half to add an extra gloss to the score line.
Vardy had previously been on the Gulls' radar in the summer of 2011, whilst he was with FC Halifax, prior to his £100,000 move to Fleetwood Town.
The Torquay side included a number of newer faces as Aussie defender Aaron Downes made his debut in the heart of defence for the Gulls, whilst former loanees Michael Poke and Ryan Jarvis also started for the first time since joining United on a permanent basis.
It was the Gulls who made the more promising start, as Lee Mansell and Ian Morris both threatened the Foxes' goal early on without being able to penetrate the backline.
Leicester's opener came in the 21st minute when Dyer got the better of United right-back Joe Oastler and then rounded Poke before slotting home.
United refused to let their heads drop after going behind as Mansell forced a smart save from Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes doubled their lead on 35 minutes when skipper Marshall found the target with a free-kick from 25-yards, which gave the Gulls a considerable mountain to climb as the first half drew to a close.
Four minutes into the second half, and their task became even more difficult when James added a third for the visitors when he connected with a deft pass from Jermaine Beckford.
A minute later, Vardy nearly added a fourth but he was denied by a block from Poke.
With 15 minutes to go, Poke was called into action again when he palmed a low shot from Danny Drinkwater away.
Two minutes later, Leicester eventually found their fourth when Vardy turned the ball home, after connecting with a long ball from Marshall, to open his account for the Foxes following his £1million move from Fleetwood in the summer.
Rene Howe almost scored a late consolation for the Gulls, as their search for their first win in the competition since August 2001, when they beat AFC Bournemouth in the first round, continued.
Torquay (4-3-3): Michael Poke; Joe Oastler, Brian Saah, Aaron Downes, Kevin Nicholson; Damon Lathrope, Craig Easton (Niall Thompson 63), Lee Mansell; Ryan Jarvis (Ashley Yeoman 76), Ian Morris (Tom Cruise 73) Rene Howe
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky; Ben Marshall, Matt James (Andy King 73), Danny Drinkwater (Neil Danns 78), Lloyd Dyer (David Nugent 66); Jermaine Beckford, Jamie Vardy
Attendance: 3,347
Yeovil Town 1 ( James Hayter) Leicester City 2 (Lloyd Dyer, David Nugent) - October 1st 2013
A slow start to the second half proved costly for Yeovil Town, as they slipped to a narrow defeat against a highly fancied Leicester City side at Huish Park.
Lloyd Dyer opened the scoring for the Foxes in the 54th minute before a David Nugent on the hour mark gave them a two-goal cushion. James Hayter replied for the Glovers from the penalty spot.
Yeovil made a promising start to the game, as Ed Upson fired wide after five minutes before Liam Moore and Lloyd Dyer both missed the target for the Foxes.
Jamie Vardy also blasted over for the visitors, whilst - at the other end of the pitch - Andy Williams forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel.
In the second half, Leicester started more positively and were in front within nine minutes of the restart, when Nugent beat the offside on the left hand side before picking Dyer who found the target with a cool finish.
Six minutes later Nugent went from being provider to scorer - as he converted from the penalty spot after Glovers' substitute Byron Webster had been adjudged to have felled Anthony Knockaert.
With seven minutes to go Yeovil reduced their arrears to a single goal when veteran striker James Hayter was felled in the penalty area by Wes Morgan. Hayter then stepped step to score the resulting spot kick, which ended the Glovers' 444 minute for a goal at Huish Park.
Yeovil (4-4-2): Wayne Hennessey; Luke Ayling (Jamie McAllister 74), Shane Duffy, Daniel Seaborne (Byron Webster 63), Liam Davis; Joe Edwards, Ed Upson, Joe Ralls, Joel Grant; Paddy Madden, Andy Williams (James Hayter 76)
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky; Anthony Knockaert (Matt James 72), Danny Drinkwater (Dean Hammond 90), Andy King, Lloyd Dyer; David Nugent (Jeffrey Schlupp 78), Jamie Vardy
Attendance: 6,476
Leicester City 1 (Chris Wood) Yeovil Town 1 (Joe Ralls) - March 25th 2014
Yeovil Town were denied all three points thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Chris Wood.
A free-kick from Cardiff City loanee Joe Ralls had given the Glovers the lead, and it had looked as though that would have been enough to seal all three points. However, the Foxes' Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel has other ideas, as his header in second half injury time, which looked to have crossed the line, but was later accredited to Chris Wood - broke Yeovil hearts.
The Glovers were almost behind after two minutes when Jamie Vardy raced through on goal before firing a tame effort straight at Marek Stech.
Yeovil were rewarded for a positive start after 22 minutes when Tom Lawrence, on loan from Manchester United, was upended 25 yards from goal. Ralls then stepped up to blast the resulting free-kick past a full stretch Schmeichel and into the top corner.
Riyad Mahrez had a golden opportunity to bring Leicester back on terms, but he missed the target from close range.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Ishmael Miller - on loan at Yeovil from Leicester's East Midlands' rivals Nottingham Forest - shot wide for the Glovers, whilst Danny Drinkwater also failed to find the target for the Foxes after finding himself in space.
Two minutes into the second half, Miller almost doubled Yeovil's lead when he brought a Kevin Dawson cross under control before drawing a fine save from Schmeichel.
In the 55th minute, Miller missed the target again following a good build up play involving Joe Edwards.
With ten minutes to go, the Glovers' Czech custodian Stech was called in action to deny a long range effort from Matt James.
The final minutes of the game saw the Foxes throw everything but the kitchen sink at Yeovil as they tried to force an equaliser. Shane Duffy - on loan from Everton - denied the hosts a certain goal with a block on the line before Schmeichel crashed a header against the bar following a corner, and with the Leicester players appealing for a goal, which was eventually accredited to substitute Wood. This denied Schmeichel the chance to emulate his father, Peter - who famously netted for Manchester United against Rotor Volgograd in the UEFA Cup in the 1995-96 season, in becoming a goal scoring goalkeeper.
At the end of the campaign both sides found themselves heading in opposite directions as Leicester lifted the Championship title, whilst the Glovers were relegated back to League One.
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Marcin Wasilewski (Lloyd Dyer 62), Wes Morgan, Jeffrey Schlupp; Anthony Knockaert, Danny Drinkwater, Matt James, Riyad Mahrez; Jamie Vardy (Chris Wood), David Nugent (Kevin Phillips 67)
Yeovil (4-4-2): Marek Stech, Jamie McAllister, Shane Duffy, Byron Webster, Luke Ayling; Joe Edwards, Kevin Dawson, Joe Ralls, Tom Lawrence (Liam Davis 90), Ishmael Miller (James Hayter 84), Kieffer Moore
What is not so quite as well known is that the Foxes also share a distinction with the 1995 champions Blackburn Rovers in being the last league champions to have played a competitive fixture in the South West before going on to clinch their title.
Blackburn did so when they faced Plymouth Argyle on the final day of the 1991-92 season before winning the Premier League three years in 1995. Leicester, however, played Torquay United in the Capital One Cup first round in the 2012-13 season, before facing Yeovil Town home and away during the 2013-14 campaign in the Championship.
We will now take a close look at those fixtures.
Torquay United 0 Leicester City 4 (Lloyd Dyer, Ben Marshall, Matt James, Jamie Vardy) - August 11th 2012
Leicester produced a four-star display to comprehensively knock the Gulls out of the Capital One Cup.
First half goals from Lloyd Dyer and Ben Marshall set the Foxes on their way before Matt James and Jamie Vardy - with his first goal for the club - struck in the second half to add an extra gloss to the score line.
Vardy had previously been on the Gulls' radar in the summer of 2011, whilst he was with FC Halifax, prior to his £100,000 move to Fleetwood Town.
The Torquay side included a number of newer faces as Aussie defender Aaron Downes made his debut in the heart of defence for the Gulls, whilst former loanees Michael Poke and Ryan Jarvis also started for the first time since joining United on a permanent basis.
It was the Gulls who made the more promising start, as Lee Mansell and Ian Morris both threatened the Foxes' goal early on without being able to penetrate the backline.
Leicester's opener came in the 21st minute when Dyer got the better of United right-back Joe Oastler and then rounded Poke before slotting home.
United refused to let their heads drop after going behind as Mansell forced a smart save from Kasper Schmeichel.
The Foxes doubled their lead on 35 minutes when skipper Marshall found the target with a free-kick from 25-yards, which gave the Gulls a considerable mountain to climb as the first half drew to a close.
Four minutes into the second half, and their task became even more difficult when James added a third for the visitors when he connected with a deft pass from Jermaine Beckford.
A minute later, Vardy nearly added a fourth but he was denied by a block from Poke.
With 15 minutes to go, Poke was called into action again when he palmed a low shot from Danny Drinkwater away.
Two minutes later, Leicester eventually found their fourth when Vardy turned the ball home, after connecting with a long ball from Marshall, to open his account for the Foxes following his £1million move from Fleetwood in the summer.
Rene Howe almost scored a late consolation for the Gulls, as their search for their first win in the competition since August 2001, when they beat AFC Bournemouth in the first round, continued.
Torquay (4-3-3): Michael Poke; Joe Oastler, Brian Saah, Aaron Downes, Kevin Nicholson; Damon Lathrope, Craig Easton (Niall Thompson 63), Lee Mansell; Ryan Jarvis (Ashley Yeoman 76), Ian Morris (Tom Cruise 73) Rene Howe
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky; Ben Marshall, Matt James (Andy King 73), Danny Drinkwater (Neil Danns 78), Lloyd Dyer (David Nugent 66); Jermaine Beckford, Jamie Vardy
Attendance: 3,347
Yeovil Town 1 ( James Hayter) Leicester City 2 (Lloyd Dyer, David Nugent) - October 1st 2013
A slow start to the second half proved costly for Yeovil Town, as they slipped to a narrow defeat against a highly fancied Leicester City side at Huish Park.
Lloyd Dyer opened the scoring for the Foxes in the 54th minute before a David Nugent on the hour mark gave them a two-goal cushion. James Hayter replied for the Glovers from the penalty spot.
Yeovil made a promising start to the game, as Ed Upson fired wide after five minutes before Liam Moore and Lloyd Dyer both missed the target for the Foxes.
Jamie Vardy also blasted over for the visitors, whilst - at the other end of the pitch - Andy Williams forced a save from Kasper Schmeichel.
In the second half, Leicester started more positively and were in front within nine minutes of the restart, when Nugent beat the offside on the left hand side before picking Dyer who found the target with a cool finish.
Six minutes later Nugent went from being provider to scorer - as he converted from the penalty spot after Glovers' substitute Byron Webster had been adjudged to have felled Anthony Knockaert.
With seven minutes to go Yeovil reduced their arrears to a single goal when veteran striker James Hayter was felled in the penalty area by Wes Morgan. Hayter then stepped step to score the resulting spot kick, which ended the Glovers' 444 minute for a goal at Huish Park.
Yeovil (4-4-2): Wayne Hennessey; Luke Ayling (Jamie McAllister 74), Shane Duffy, Daniel Seaborne (Byron Webster 63), Liam Davis; Joe Edwards, Ed Upson, Joe Ralls, Joel Grant; Paddy Madden, Andy Williams (James Hayter 76)
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Paul Konchesky; Anthony Knockaert (Matt James 72), Danny Drinkwater (Dean Hammond 90), Andy King, Lloyd Dyer; David Nugent (Jeffrey Schlupp 78), Jamie Vardy
Attendance: 6,476
Leicester City 1 (Chris Wood) Yeovil Town 1 (Joe Ralls) - March 25th 2014
Yeovil Town were denied all three points thanks to a last gasp equaliser from Chris Wood.
A free-kick from Cardiff City loanee Joe Ralls had given the Glovers the lead, and it had looked as though that would have been enough to seal all three points. However, the Foxes' Danish keeper Kasper Schmeichel has other ideas, as his header in second half injury time, which looked to have crossed the line, but was later accredited to Chris Wood - broke Yeovil hearts.
The Glovers were almost behind after two minutes when Jamie Vardy raced through on goal before firing a tame effort straight at Marek Stech.
Yeovil were rewarded for a positive start after 22 minutes when Tom Lawrence, on loan from Manchester United, was upended 25 yards from goal. Ralls then stepped up to blast the resulting free-kick past a full stretch Schmeichel and into the top corner.
Riyad Mahrez had a golden opportunity to bring Leicester back on terms, but he missed the target from close range.
In the dying minutes of the first half, Ishmael Miller - on loan at Yeovil from Leicester's East Midlands' rivals Nottingham Forest - shot wide for the Glovers, whilst Danny Drinkwater also failed to find the target for the Foxes after finding himself in space.
Two minutes into the second half, Miller almost doubled Yeovil's lead when he brought a Kevin Dawson cross under control before drawing a fine save from Schmeichel.
In the 55th minute, Miller missed the target again following a good build up play involving Joe Edwards.
With ten minutes to go, the Glovers' Czech custodian Stech was called in action to deny a long range effort from Matt James.
The final minutes of the game saw the Foxes throw everything but the kitchen sink at Yeovil as they tried to force an equaliser. Shane Duffy - on loan from Everton - denied the hosts a certain goal with a block on the line before Schmeichel crashed a header against the bar following a corner, and with the Leicester players appealing for a goal, which was eventually accredited to substitute Wood. This denied Schmeichel the chance to emulate his father, Peter - who famously netted for Manchester United against Rotor Volgograd in the UEFA Cup in the 1995-96 season, in becoming a goal scoring goalkeeper.
At the end of the campaign both sides found themselves heading in opposite directions as Leicester lifted the Championship title, whilst the Glovers were relegated back to League One.
Leicester (4-4-2): Kasper Schmeichel; Ritchie De Laet, Marcin Wasilewski (Lloyd Dyer 62), Wes Morgan, Jeffrey Schlupp; Anthony Knockaert, Danny Drinkwater, Matt James, Riyad Mahrez; Jamie Vardy (Chris Wood), David Nugent (Kevin Phillips 67)
Yeovil (4-4-2): Marek Stech, Jamie McAllister, Shane Duffy, Byron Webster, Luke Ayling; Joe Edwards, Kevin Dawson, Joe Ralls, Tom Lawrence (Liam Davis 90), Ishmael Miller (James Hayter 84), Kieffer Moore
Saturday 7 May 2016
A THREE YEAR DEAL FOR NICHOLSON
Following weeks of speculation regarding his future, Kevin Nicholson yesterday penned a three-year contract as Torquay United manager.
After being 12 points adrift as recently as mid-February, Nicholson led the Gulls to safety with two games to spare following his appointment in October 2015.
Nevertheless, there had been speculation that Swindon-based Gaming International, who are currently undertaking due diligence ahead of a possible takeover of United, had wanted to replace him with former Gulls Youth Coach Geoff Harrop, currently with Yeovil Town who he currently serves as Youth Academy manager.
However, this new deal now offers the Gulls a chance to rebuild and regroup and offers the potential of greater stability - Nicholson is United's fifth manager in the five years since Paul Buckle left Plainmoor for Bristol Rovers in 2011.
During his brief tenure, he has had to face many challenges that a lot of managers had never faced in their careers before, and has even had to drive the team to matches in a mini-bus.
After a period of wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window that enabled him to bring in a number of new faces, including former teammates Nathan Blissett (Kidderminster Harriers) and Shaun Harrad (Notts County and England C), as well the return of Toby Ajala and the addition of Iffy Allen, Nicholson was able to re-mould the squad that he inherited from Paul Cox.
The revival started with a 1-0 away win over Boreham Wood on February 20th 2016, which proved to be the start of a four match winning streak. This was followed by draws with Braintree Town, Aldershot Town and FC Halifax Town and another win over Southport, as the Gulls lifted themselves clear of danger.
Defeats against Dover Athletic and Eastleigh were followed by wins over Gateshead and Chester FC and then another loss - this time to Tranmere Rovers. However, the Gulls bounced back to defeat Altrincham and Bromley to secure survival with two games to spare - thus ensuring a 'party atmosphere' for the final home game against Barrow - which marked the return to Plainmoor of his predecessor Cox.
Now, the next challenge facing Nicholson is to keep the squad of players that pulled off the 'Great Escape' together, as only leading scorer Blissett, who has an option of an extra 12 months on top of the initial six months he signed for, has any kind of deal for the 2016-17 season.
It promises to be a busy few months between now and the start of pre-season training in July for Nicholson.
Footnote: In his short managerial career, Kevin Nicholson has already faced two of his former clubs in opposition (Forest Green Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers), an ex-manager (Jim Harvey FC Halifax), a one-time team-mate (Chris Todd Eastleigh) and his predecessor (Paul Cox Barrow).
After being 12 points adrift as recently as mid-February, Nicholson led the Gulls to safety with two games to spare following his appointment in October 2015.
Nevertheless, there had been speculation that Swindon-based Gaming International, who are currently undertaking due diligence ahead of a possible takeover of United, had wanted to replace him with former Gulls Youth Coach Geoff Harrop, currently with Yeovil Town who he currently serves as Youth Academy manager.
However, this new deal now offers the Gulls a chance to rebuild and regroup and offers the potential of greater stability - Nicholson is United's fifth manager in the five years since Paul Buckle left Plainmoor for Bristol Rovers in 2011.
During his brief tenure, he has had to face many challenges that a lot of managers had never faced in their careers before, and has even had to drive the team to matches in a mini-bus.
After a period of wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window that enabled him to bring in a number of new faces, including former teammates Nathan Blissett (Kidderminster Harriers) and Shaun Harrad (Notts County and England C), as well the return of Toby Ajala and the addition of Iffy Allen, Nicholson was able to re-mould the squad that he inherited from Paul Cox.
The revival started with a 1-0 away win over Boreham Wood on February 20th 2016, which proved to be the start of a four match winning streak. This was followed by draws with Braintree Town, Aldershot Town and FC Halifax Town and another win over Southport, as the Gulls lifted themselves clear of danger.
Defeats against Dover Athletic and Eastleigh were followed by wins over Gateshead and Chester FC and then another loss - this time to Tranmere Rovers. However, the Gulls bounced back to defeat Altrincham and Bromley to secure survival with two games to spare - thus ensuring a 'party atmosphere' for the final home game against Barrow - which marked the return to Plainmoor of his predecessor Cox.
Now, the next challenge facing Nicholson is to keep the squad of players that pulled off the 'Great Escape' together, as only leading scorer Blissett, who has an option of an extra 12 months on top of the initial six months he signed for, has any kind of deal for the 2016-17 season.
It promises to be a busy few months between now and the start of pre-season training in July for Nicholson.
Footnote: In his short managerial career, Kevin Nicholson has already faced two of his former clubs in opposition (Forest Green Rovers and Kidderminster Harriers), an ex-manager (Jim Harvey FC Halifax), a one-time team-mate (Chris Todd Eastleigh) and his predecessor (Paul Cox Barrow).
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