There was to be no historic double for the city of Exeter as Exeter City were beaten by Blackpool in the League Two Play-off, 24 hours after their Rugby counterparts Exeter Chiefs beat Wasps to clinch the Aviva Premiership.
Brad Potts gave the Tangerines, who only brought 6,000 with them amidst supporter protest against the club's owners - the Oyston Family, the lead after only three minutes.
City came back into the game as Ollie Watkins was denied by Blackpool keeper Sam Slocombe before leading scorer David Wheeler equalised five minutes before half-time.
On 64 minutes Mark Cullen scored what proved to be the Tangerines' winner but the Grecians came close to forcing the game into extra time through Watkins but City's would end as it began - as they lost to Blackpool on the opening day of the campaign at Bloomfield Road.
The challenge now for the Grecians is to attempt to emulate local rivals Plymouth Argyle who won automatic promotion last season after losing to AFC Wimbledon in last season's Play-off final.
In the meantime for City instead of the Pilgrims, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers, it will be Yeovil Town, Swindon Town and Forest Green Rovers on their agenda for the 2017-18 season.
Sunday 28 May 2017
Saturday 27 May 2017
AMPADU CALLED UP TO WALES SQUAD
On the eve of their League Two Play-off final appearance against Blackpool, Exeter City received the boost of seeing their young starlet Ethan Ampadu being called up to the Wales senior squad.
Ampadu, 16, son of former Grecians midfielder Kwame Ampadu, has been called up by manager Chris Coleman for a training squad ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Serbia - whilst Ampadu is on his half-term holiday.
As a teenager his GCSE exams take priority, but his situation is very different to that of most of his contemporary peers and let's not forget that he is still at St James' Park on schoolboy forms.
He becomes the latest City starlet to receive international recognition after Matt Grimes, now of Swansea City, and Christy Pym were called up to the England Under-20 squad in 2014.
Ampadu, 16, son of former Grecians midfielder Kwame Ampadu, has been called up by manager Chris Coleman for a training squad ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Serbia - whilst Ampadu is on his half-term holiday.
As a teenager his GCSE exams take priority, but his situation is very different to that of most of his contemporary peers and let's not forget that he is still at St James' Park on schoolboy forms.
He becomes the latest City starlet to receive international recognition after Matt Grimes, now of Swansea City, and Christy Pym were called up to the England Under-20 squad in 2014.
THREE STAY, TWO GO FOR NICHOLSON
For Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson, it has been a case of three in and two out thus far regarding his summer retained list.
Player of the Year Luke Young and Young Player of the Year Sean McGinty and Ruairi Keating before them have agreed new deals to stay at Plainmoor whereas midfielder Aman Verma and wide man Dan Sparkes have decided to move on.
With Damon Lathrope, Sam Chaney and Nicholson himself, who is still registered as a player, under contract for the 2017-18 season already - that number has risen to six as the Gulls currently awaits the responses of goalkeeper Brendan Moore and captain Courtney Richards.
The signature of double Player of the Year Young is arguably the most crucial of the players named on Nicholson's retained list who have committed their futures to the club, as he embarks on what will be his fourth season at Plainmoor.
Over the last two seasons, Young has missed a considerable chunk of that time through injury and after finding the back of the net five times in the 2016-17 campaign, he will be looking to better that tally next time around.
Verma and Sparkes both rejected the deals on offer and both expressed a desire to move closer to the their respective famililes, for Verma that is the East Midlands and the South East in the case of Sparkes. Both played important roles in helping the Gulls beat the drop last season as Verma captained the side in the absence of Richards through injury and Sparkes found the back of the net six times and made 16 assists.
Regardless of the responses of Moore and Richards, Nicholson will be on the look out for at least three defenders, two wide players and a couple of strikers.
It promises to be a busy summer for the Gulls.
Player of the Year Luke Young and Young Player of the Year Sean McGinty and Ruairi Keating before them have agreed new deals to stay at Plainmoor whereas midfielder Aman Verma and wide man Dan Sparkes have decided to move on.
With Damon Lathrope, Sam Chaney and Nicholson himself, who is still registered as a player, under contract for the 2017-18 season already - that number has risen to six as the Gulls currently awaits the responses of goalkeeper Brendan Moore and captain Courtney Richards.
The signature of double Player of the Year Young is arguably the most crucial of the players named on Nicholson's retained list who have committed their futures to the club, as he embarks on what will be his fourth season at Plainmoor.
Over the last two seasons, Young has missed a considerable chunk of that time through injury and after finding the back of the net five times in the 2016-17 campaign, he will be looking to better that tally next time around.
Verma and Sparkes both rejected the deals on offer and both expressed a desire to move closer to the their respective famililes, for Verma that is the East Midlands and the South East in the case of Sparkes. Both played important roles in helping the Gulls beat the drop last season as Verma captained the side in the absence of Richards through injury and Sparkes found the back of the net six times and made 16 assists.
Regardless of the responses of Moore and Richards, Nicholson will be on the look out for at least three defenders, two wide players and a couple of strikers.
It promises to be a busy summer for the Gulls.
Tuesday 23 May 2017
A PILGRIMS AND GULLS LINK ?
Over the years Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United have enjoyed a relatively harmonious relationship.
To an outsider, it probably could be likened to the kind of connection that West Ham have with their East London neighbours Leyton Orient - a rivalry that is neither bitter nor vindictive and Hammers seldom rarely begrudge Orient any success so long as it's on a smaller scale than their own (it is also worth noting that the two clubs haven't been in the same division as each other since the late 1970's).
And as a club, the Pilgrims face the same challenges that the Gulls face in terms of geography and being able to match their contemporaries in terms of wages.
It has been suggested in one local newspaper in the South West that United could be the ideal club to for the Pilgrims to send their younger player to on loan to help to adapt to the rigours of the professional game.
When Argyle were last in the Championship they loaned Matt Villis, Reuben Reid, Ryan Dickson, Scott Laird and Ashley Barnes to the Gulls between 2004 and 2010 with varied degrees of success.
An opportunity exists for fringe first team players at Home Park in the form of the Pilgrims' reserve side in the South West Peninsula League, but that is a standard which is several steps below the National League, never mind League One where Argyle will be playing next season.
One example given as a player who could have benefited from such a move was striker Louis Rooney, who has had loan spells with Truro City and Hartlepool United in recent seasons, and was released by Argyle manager Derek Adams at the end of the current campaign.
Rooney could yet prove to be a player that is on Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson's radar over the close season, and this is another area of any future partnership that could be of advantage to United.
A steady stream of players have moved from Home Park to Plainmoor in recent times, from John Uzzell and John Matthews in 1989 to Luke Young, who won the Gulls' Player of the Year award for the second time in three seasons recently.
There have been other players who the Gulls perhaps could have taken a closer look at following their exits from the Pilgrims. Names such as Ryan Leonard and Isaac Vassell spring to mind, who have both carved out good careers for themselves away from Devon at Southend United and Luton Town respectively - although Vassell ended up with the Hatters via a spell in Cornwall with Truro City.
Whatever views both sets of supporters hold over this subject one thing is definitely certain that both clubs need to find new and innovative ways of competing in what is becoming an increasingly competitive environment.
To an outsider, it probably could be likened to the kind of connection that West Ham have with their East London neighbours Leyton Orient - a rivalry that is neither bitter nor vindictive and Hammers seldom rarely begrudge Orient any success so long as it's on a smaller scale than their own (it is also worth noting that the two clubs haven't been in the same division as each other since the late 1970's).
And as a club, the Pilgrims face the same challenges that the Gulls face in terms of geography and being able to match their contemporaries in terms of wages.
It has been suggested in one local newspaper in the South West that United could be the ideal club to for the Pilgrims to send their younger player to on loan to help to adapt to the rigours of the professional game.
When Argyle were last in the Championship they loaned Matt Villis, Reuben Reid, Ryan Dickson, Scott Laird and Ashley Barnes to the Gulls between 2004 and 2010 with varied degrees of success.
An opportunity exists for fringe first team players at Home Park in the form of the Pilgrims' reserve side in the South West Peninsula League, but that is a standard which is several steps below the National League, never mind League One where Argyle will be playing next season.
One example given as a player who could have benefited from such a move was striker Louis Rooney, who has had loan spells with Truro City and Hartlepool United in recent seasons, and was released by Argyle manager Derek Adams at the end of the current campaign.
Rooney could yet prove to be a player that is on Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson's radar over the close season, and this is another area of any future partnership that could be of advantage to United.
A steady stream of players have moved from Home Park to Plainmoor in recent times, from John Uzzell and John Matthews in 1989 to Luke Young, who won the Gulls' Player of the Year award for the second time in three seasons recently.
There have been other players who the Gulls perhaps could have taken a closer look at following their exits from the Pilgrims. Names such as Ryan Leonard and Isaac Vassell spring to mind, who have both carved out good careers for themselves away from Devon at Southend United and Luton Town respectively - although Vassell ended up with the Hatters via a spell in Cornwall with Truro City.
Whatever views both sets of supporters hold over this subject one thing is definitely certain that both clubs need to find new and innovative ways of competing in what is becoming an increasingly competitive environment.
Sunday 21 May 2017
DOUBLE HEADER FOR THE CITY OF EXETER
Fans of Exeter City and the Exeter Chiefs will be descending on London over the next Bank Holiday weekend as the Grecians face Blackpool in the League Two Play-off final at Wembley, and the Chiefs will take on Wasps in the Aviva Premiership final at Twickenham.
Both sides secured their respective trips to the capital with narrow wins over their opponents; the Grecians defeated Carlisle United 3-2 at St James Park, whilst the Chiefs overcame Saracens at Sandy Park 18-16.
An Ollie Watkins brace gave City the lead before Jason Kennedy and John O'Sullivan struck to equalise for the Cumbrians. However, with extra time beckoning the Grecians snatched a late winner in the fifth minute of stoppage through on-loan right-back Jack Stacey, who picked arguably the perfect time to score his first goal for the club.
For City, their Play-off final appearance will be their first as a Football League side, their previous appearances in the end of season showdown came when they were in the Conference, whilst for their opponents Blackpool it will be their first Play-off since they were beaten by West Ham United in the 2011 Championship Play-off final.
The Tangerines have also appeared three times in a League Two Play-off final before - when the division was known as the Fourth Division - in 1991 when they lost to Torquay United and in 1992 when they defeated Scunthorpe United and most recently in 2001 when they beat Leyton Orient.
For Paul Tisdale's men it is another new experience and whatever the outcome it promises to be a memorable sporting weekend for Devon's county town.
Both sides secured their respective trips to the capital with narrow wins over their opponents; the Grecians defeated Carlisle United 3-2 at St James Park, whilst the Chiefs overcame Saracens at Sandy Park 18-16.
An Ollie Watkins brace gave City the lead before Jason Kennedy and John O'Sullivan struck to equalise for the Cumbrians. However, with extra time beckoning the Grecians snatched a late winner in the fifth minute of stoppage through on-loan right-back Jack Stacey, who picked arguably the perfect time to score his first goal for the club.
For City, their Play-off final appearance will be their first as a Football League side, their previous appearances in the end of season showdown came when they were in the Conference, whilst for their opponents Blackpool it will be their first Play-off since they were beaten by West Ham United in the 2011 Championship Play-off final.
The Tangerines have also appeared three times in a League Two Play-off final before - when the division was known as the Fourth Division - in 1991 when they lost to Torquay United and in 1992 when they defeated Scunthorpe United and most recently in 2001 when they beat Leyton Orient.
For Paul Tisdale's men it is another new experience and whatever the outcome it promises to be a memorable sporting weekend for Devon's county town.
Wednesday 17 May 2017
ALL TO PLAY FOR THE GRECIANS IN SECOND LEG ENCOUNTER
It's all to play for Exeter City as they prepare to entertain Carlisle United in the second leg of their League Two Play-off semi-final at St James Park.
Two goals in the space of two minutes in the second half saw the Cumbrians peg the Grecians back as John O'Sullivan and Shaun Miller struck to wipe out City's two-goal cushion.
Jamaican international Joel Grant had given the Grecians the lead in the 15th minute before skipper Jordan Moore-Taylor turned the back into the back of his own net on 32 minutes, which enabled the hosts to level.
Ryan Harley and David Wheeler then struck in the 45th and 56th minutes to put City 3-1 in front, but O'Sullivan pulled one back for the Cumbrians in the 71st minutes and two minutes later Miller completed their comeback.
Ollie Watkins and Reuben Reid also had efforts disallowed and midfielder Jake Taylor hit the post in the dying minutes of the game. Carlisle also had claims for the penalty waved away as a cross from Nicky Adams appeared to hit the arm of Pierce Sweeney.
Carlisle, managed by former Torquay United player and manager Keith Curle, already have experience of beating the Grecians on their own turf after winning 3-2 at St James Park on the final day of the regular league campaign and they will no doubt be drawing inspiration from that result.
Both league games between the two sides produced ten goals, with the Cumbrians also winning 3-2 at Brunton Park, and City Director of Football Steve Perryman has called on the St James Park faithful to make positive noise during the game to help spur the team on.
It is City's first Play-off campaign as a Football League club and it has so far proved to be exciting and it could yet still end in glory.
Two goals in the space of two minutes in the second half saw the Cumbrians peg the Grecians back as John O'Sullivan and Shaun Miller struck to wipe out City's two-goal cushion.
Jamaican international Joel Grant had given the Grecians the lead in the 15th minute before skipper Jordan Moore-Taylor turned the back into the back of his own net on 32 minutes, which enabled the hosts to level.
Ryan Harley and David Wheeler then struck in the 45th and 56th minutes to put City 3-1 in front, but O'Sullivan pulled one back for the Cumbrians in the 71st minutes and two minutes later Miller completed their comeback.
Ollie Watkins and Reuben Reid also had efforts disallowed and midfielder Jake Taylor hit the post in the dying minutes of the game. Carlisle also had claims for the penalty waved away as a cross from Nicky Adams appeared to hit the arm of Pierce Sweeney.
Carlisle, managed by former Torquay United player and manager Keith Curle, already have experience of beating the Grecians on their own turf after winning 3-2 at St James Park on the final day of the regular league campaign and they will no doubt be drawing inspiration from that result.
Both league games between the two sides produced ten goals, with the Cumbrians also winning 3-2 at Brunton Park, and City Director of Football Steve Perryman has called on the St James Park faithful to make positive noise during the game to help spur the team on.
It is City's first Play-off campaign as a Football League club and it has so far proved to be exciting and it could yet still end in glory.
KEATING SIGNS UP FOR THE UNITED ROLLERCOASTER
As Ronan Keating famously sung 'Life is a rollercoaster', the same could also be said of following the fortunes of Torquay United.
His nephew Ruairi Keating has now signed up for a new ride with the Gulls after agreeing a contract to stay at Plainmoor.
Keating, 21, found the back of the net three times in 15 appearances for United to help them avoid relegation from the National League in the 2016-17 season, whilst at Plainmoor on non-contract terms. He will now be looking to play a major part in helping the Gulls climb the National League table in the forthcoming 2017-18 campaign.
His pacy and direct style of play - along with a tenacious work ethic - proved to be a big hit with the United faithful during his 15-match stint and his displays have reminded your correspondent of a player that was once on the Gulls radar - a certain Jamie Vardy.
During the 2010-11 campaign, Vardy, then of FC Halifax Town, was recommended to the then Gulls' manager Paul Buckle but he went on to join Fleetwood and then to Leicester City and the rest - of course - is history.
As something of a late bloomer Keating's playing background from Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Galway United in the League of Ireland is probably not too dissimilar to Vardy's journey to Leicester via Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax and Fleetwood.
Even now as one of the Premier League's leading strikers, Vardy's work rate and tenacity - which he would have learned whilst combining playing in the Evo-Stik Northern League and Conference North - enables him to stand out against his current contemporaries.
During the course of a game, Vardy can make 14 runs against an opposition defender and get nowhere but can still find the energy within himself to make a 15th.
Such work rate can set the tempo for the rest of his teammates to follow and Keating's hunger and desire certainly had a similar effect on the Gulls as they avoided the drop into the National League South.
His aim now should be to hit double figures for United in the 2017-18 campaign and to continue to learn and improve, which is something that he certainly has the willingness to do.
His nephew Ruairi Keating has now signed up for a new ride with the Gulls after agreeing a contract to stay at Plainmoor.
Keating, 21, found the back of the net three times in 15 appearances for United to help them avoid relegation from the National League in the 2016-17 season, whilst at Plainmoor on non-contract terms. He will now be looking to play a major part in helping the Gulls climb the National League table in the forthcoming 2017-18 campaign.
His pacy and direct style of play - along with a tenacious work ethic - proved to be a big hit with the United faithful during his 15-match stint and his displays have reminded your correspondent of a player that was once on the Gulls radar - a certain Jamie Vardy.
During the 2010-11 campaign, Vardy, then of FC Halifax Town, was recommended to the then Gulls' manager Paul Buckle but he went on to join Fleetwood and then to Leicester City and the rest - of course - is history.
As something of a late bloomer Keating's playing background from Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and Galway United in the League of Ireland is probably not too dissimilar to Vardy's journey to Leicester via Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax and Fleetwood.
Even now as one of the Premier League's leading strikers, Vardy's work rate and tenacity - which he would have learned whilst combining playing in the Evo-Stik Northern League and Conference North - enables him to stand out against his current contemporaries.
During the course of a game, Vardy can make 14 runs against an opposition defender and get nowhere but can still find the energy within himself to make a 15th.
Such work rate can set the tempo for the rest of his teammates to follow and Keating's hunger and desire certainly had a similar effect on the Gulls as they avoided the drop into the National League South.
His aim now should be to hit double figures for United in the 2017-18 campaign and to continue to learn and improve, which is something that he certainly has the willingness to do.
Sunday 14 May 2017
EXETER CITY'S PAST PLAY-OFF CAMPAIGNS
Exeter City's League Two Play-off 2016-17 campaign gets underway tonight against Carlisle United in what will be the Grecians' first experience of the play-offs as a Football League side.
City's only other two Play-off campaigns came whilst they were a non-league club in the 2006-07, their first under current manager Paul Tisdale, and 2007-08 seasons, the second of which secured their return to the Football League, following their relegation in 2003.
2006-07:
For the first time since they were relegated four years earlier, Exeter City had a shot at promotion back to the Football League as they finished fifth in the Conference table to set up a two-legged Play-off with Oxford United, who had just missed out on the title to Dagenham & Redbridge.
After losing the first leg 1-0 to the U's, the Grecians won the second leg 2-1 - through goals from Lee Phillips and Adam Stansfield - to send the tie into extra time, which was eventually followed by penalties.
The Grecians eventually triumphed 4-3 in the final death shoot-out with Steve Tully scoring the decisive fourth penalty.
In the final at Wembley, City's first appearance at the home of football, they were defeated 2-1 by Morecambe despite taking the lead through Lee Phillips and they would have to wait another year for a tilt at a Football League return.
2007-08:
The Grecians experience stood them in good stead a year when they reached the Play-offs again after finishing fourth in the regular league season. This time they would be facing local rivals Torquay United - who relegated to the Conference in 2007.
In the first leg at St James Park, the Gulls took the lead through Tim Sills before Wayne Carlisle equalised for City. In the dying minutes of the game, Chris Zebroski netted a late winner to give Torquay a slender advantage going into the second leg at Plainmoor.
It looked as the Gulls were going to make that advantage count as Kevin Hill struck in the second half - on the day that he equalled the Gulls' all-time appearance record - and a second season of Play-off misery appeared to be on the cards for the Grecians.
However, a late second half revival saw City find the back of the net four times as Ryan Harley equalised, Ben Watson converted from the penalty spot to put the Grecians level on aggregate, Richard Logan edged City ahead before Carlisle rounded things off with their fourth goal to complete a superb comeback.
The final itself against Cambridge United proved to be a far more routine affair as a Rob Edwards proved to be enough to see off the U's as the Grecians ended their five-year stay in the Conference and they have never looked back since.
City's only other two Play-off campaigns came whilst they were a non-league club in the 2006-07, their first under current manager Paul Tisdale, and 2007-08 seasons, the second of which secured their return to the Football League, following their relegation in 2003.
2006-07:
For the first time since they were relegated four years earlier, Exeter City had a shot at promotion back to the Football League as they finished fifth in the Conference table to set up a two-legged Play-off with Oxford United, who had just missed out on the title to Dagenham & Redbridge.
After losing the first leg 1-0 to the U's, the Grecians won the second leg 2-1 - through goals from Lee Phillips and Adam Stansfield - to send the tie into extra time, which was eventually followed by penalties.
The Grecians eventually triumphed 4-3 in the final death shoot-out with Steve Tully scoring the decisive fourth penalty.
In the final at Wembley, City's first appearance at the home of football, they were defeated 2-1 by Morecambe despite taking the lead through Lee Phillips and they would have to wait another year for a tilt at a Football League return.
2007-08:
The Grecians experience stood them in good stead a year when they reached the Play-offs again after finishing fourth in the regular league season. This time they would be facing local rivals Torquay United - who relegated to the Conference in 2007.
In the first leg at St James Park, the Gulls took the lead through Tim Sills before Wayne Carlisle equalised for City. In the dying minutes of the game, Chris Zebroski netted a late winner to give Torquay a slender advantage going into the second leg at Plainmoor.
It looked as the Gulls were going to make that advantage count as Kevin Hill struck in the second half - on the day that he equalled the Gulls' all-time appearance record - and a second season of Play-off misery appeared to be on the cards for the Grecians.
However, a late second half revival saw City find the back of the net four times as Ryan Harley equalised, Ben Watson converted from the penalty spot to put the Grecians level on aggregate, Richard Logan edged City ahead before Carlisle rounded things off with their fourth goal to complete a superb comeback.
The final itself against Cambridge United proved to be a far more routine affair as a Rob Edwards proved to be enough to see off the U's as the Grecians ended their five-year stay in the Conference and they have never looked back since.
Tuesday 9 May 2017
A BIG REUNION
A week after Torquay United retained their National League status, a crowd of over 600 poured into Plainmoor to watch a team of former Gulls' youth team products, who were brought through by Paul Compton, face a team made up of players from United's 2003-04 promotion winning team.
The event, organised by former Gulls' apprentice Mark Forrester, raised over £6,300 for Rowcroft Hospice, through gate receipts and an auction, and saw former United favourite Darren Moore, later of West Bromwich Albion and Derby County, appear for Compton's side, along with former Truro City boss Steve Tully.
Amongst the players appearing for the 2003-04 promotion side were record appearance holder Kevin Hill, Alex Russell - who, at the age of 44, is still playing and will be representing England at the veteran's World Cup in Thailand next month - and Jo Kuffour.
Other guest players that featured included Paul Gibbs, Lee Russell and Guy Branston. Current United manager Kevin Nicholson and his assistant Robbie Herrera also made appearances.
Although events like these help to celebrate the past, but they could also a big part to play in the future.
Next year - 2018 - will mark the 30th anniversary of the 1987-88 season, which saw the Gulls reach the Play-offs for the first time ever under the late Cyril Knowles, where they lost out to Swansea City in a two-legged final, and the 20th anniversary of United's Wembley appearance against Colchester United, which they lost 1-0.
Both teams achieved those successes were both unexpected at the time that they occurred and came after several years of struggle for the Gulls.
Many of those involved in both campaigns were present on the day, including Tom Kelly, Mark Loram and Derek 'the Dude' Dawkins - even though the latter two didn't play - from the class of 1987-88 and from the class of 1997-98 Gibbs and Hill, who still plays for Exmouth Town in the South West Peninsula League, both played their part.
It would be a great idea if the club could create a similar event to commemorate what were two of the best ever seasons in United's eventful history.
The event, organised by former Gulls' apprentice Mark Forrester, raised over £6,300 for Rowcroft Hospice, through gate receipts and an auction, and saw former United favourite Darren Moore, later of West Bromwich Albion and Derby County, appear for Compton's side, along with former Truro City boss Steve Tully.
Amongst the players appearing for the 2003-04 promotion side were record appearance holder Kevin Hill, Alex Russell - who, at the age of 44, is still playing and will be representing England at the veteran's World Cup in Thailand next month - and Jo Kuffour.
Other guest players that featured included Paul Gibbs, Lee Russell and Guy Branston. Current United manager Kevin Nicholson and his assistant Robbie Herrera also made appearances.
Although events like these help to celebrate the past, but they could also a big part to play in the future.
Next year - 2018 - will mark the 30th anniversary of the 1987-88 season, which saw the Gulls reach the Play-offs for the first time ever under the late Cyril Knowles, where they lost out to Swansea City in a two-legged final, and the 20th anniversary of United's Wembley appearance against Colchester United, which they lost 1-0.
Both teams achieved those successes were both unexpected at the time that they occurred and came after several years of struggle for the Gulls.
Many of those involved in both campaigns were present on the day, including Tom Kelly, Mark Loram and Derek 'the Dude' Dawkins - even though the latter two didn't play - from the class of 1987-88 and from the class of 1997-98 Gibbs and Hill, who still plays for Exmouth Town in the South West Peninsula League, both played their part.
It would be a great idea if the club could create a similar event to commemorate what were two of the best ever seasons in United's eventful history.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE'S LEAGUE TWO PROMOTION BY NUMBERS
For all you stats lovers out there, we will now look at some of the stats behind the Pilgrims' promotion this season.
3 -
The number of Argyle players to feature in the PFA League Two team of the season for 2016-17 (Luke McCormick, Sonny Bradley and Graham Carey) and another the number of promotions won by McCormick, which also include Argyle's title successes in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 campaigns.
6 -
The number of consecutive seasons that the Pilgrims have spent in League Two which comes to an end following their promotion success.
9 -
The number of promotions that Argyle have now won following their latest triumph.
15-
The number of goals and the number of assists made in all competitions made by talismanic Irish midfielder Graham Carey throughout the duration of the season.
18 -
The total number of clean sheets kept by the Pilgrims in all competitions.
24 -
The number of players used by manager Derek Adams over the course of the season in all competitions.
25 -
The Pilgrims' goal difference at the end of the season.
46 -
The number of appearances made by Luke McCormick, Graham Carey and Yann Songo'o, Argyle's three ever presents in their league campaign. It's also the number of goals that the Pilgrims have conceded in the league - at an average of one per game.
71 -
The number of goals scored by Argyle during their 46 game league campaign.
87 -
The number of points that the Pilgrims ended the season with.
3 -
The number of Argyle players to feature in the PFA League Two team of the season for 2016-17 (Luke McCormick, Sonny Bradley and Graham Carey) and another the number of promotions won by McCormick, which also include Argyle's title successes in the 2001-02 and 2003-04 campaigns.
6 -
The number of consecutive seasons that the Pilgrims have spent in League Two which comes to an end following their promotion success.
9 -
The number of promotions that Argyle have now won following their latest triumph.
15-
The number of goals and the number of assists made in all competitions made by talismanic Irish midfielder Graham Carey throughout the duration of the season.
18 -
The total number of clean sheets kept by the Pilgrims in all competitions.
24 -
The number of players used by manager Derek Adams over the course of the season in all competitions.
25 -
The Pilgrims' goal difference at the end of the season.
46 -
The number of appearances made by Luke McCormick, Graham Carey and Yann Songo'o, Argyle's three ever presents in their league campaign. It's also the number of goals that the Pilgrims have conceded in the league - at an average of one per game.
71 -
The number of goals scored by Argyle during their 46 game league campaign.
87 -
The number of points that the Pilgrims ended the season with.
ADAMS BRINGS GOOD TIMES BACK TO HOME PARK
When Dennis Taylor beat Steve Davis to win the 1985 World Snooker Championship final the only point he was in front in the match was when he clinched the final frame of the best of 35 frame contest.
Fast forward to the present day and Portsmouth secured the 2016-17 League Two title in a similar manner as they defeated Cheltenham Town 6-1 on the final day of the campaign at the expense of Derek Adams' Plymouth Argyle and Darren Ferguson's Doncaster Rovers, who drew with Grimsby Town and lost to Hartlepool United respectively.
Whilst Pompey were able to finish top of the league in such a manner shouldn't diminish their achievement, nor should that be the case with what the Pilgrims have achieved under Adams this season.
In building a side which only contained four players from their previous campaign in which they lost in the Play-off final to AFC Wimbledon: skipper Luke McCormick, vice captain Gary Sawyer, Graham Carey and Jake Jervis, Adams has worked wonders to build a side that has led Argyle to their first promotion since the 2003-04 season.
Their success brings to an end one of the darkest chapters in the club's history, which started in 2011 when they entered Administration, which - in turn - condemned them to relegation to English football's fourth tier for the third time at the end of the 2010-11 season.
During the course of the campaign, the then Argyle manager Peter Reid paid the club's heating bill out of his own pocket and even auctioned off one of his FA Cup runners-up medals, which he won with Everton in 1986, to try and help the club.
Salvation eventually arrived in October 2011 when local businessman James Brent became the club's new owner.
The following two seasons saw the Pilgrims flirt with relegation from the Football League under the managerial reigns of Carl Fletcher and John Sheridan, and it was under Sheridan that Argyle finally started to move forward again.
In the 2013-14 season, the Pilgrims finished in the top half of any league since the 2007-08 season when they finished tenth in League Two. The following season saw them build on this as they made the end of season Play-offs for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, when they beat Darlington 1-0 in the final under Neil Warnock.
However, there was to be no Wembley appearance this time as they were beaten by Wycombe Wanderers over two legs in the semis, which proved to be Sheridan's final games in charge.
A second Wembley visit did happen in the following season under Sheridan's successor Derek Adams, but the Pilgrims were beaten 2-0 by AFC Wimbledon.
Nevertheless there was to be no Wembley hangover for Argyle in the 2016-17 season, in a campaign which also saw them take Premier League giants to a replay in the FA Cup third round, as they clinched the ninth promotion in the club's history and will be experiencing League One football for the first time since 2011 in the 2017-18 campaign.
Fast forward to the present day and Portsmouth secured the 2016-17 League Two title in a similar manner as they defeated Cheltenham Town 6-1 on the final day of the campaign at the expense of Derek Adams' Plymouth Argyle and Darren Ferguson's Doncaster Rovers, who drew with Grimsby Town and lost to Hartlepool United respectively.
Whilst Pompey were able to finish top of the league in such a manner shouldn't diminish their achievement, nor should that be the case with what the Pilgrims have achieved under Adams this season.
In building a side which only contained four players from their previous campaign in which they lost in the Play-off final to AFC Wimbledon: skipper Luke McCormick, vice captain Gary Sawyer, Graham Carey and Jake Jervis, Adams has worked wonders to build a side that has led Argyle to their first promotion since the 2003-04 season.
Their success brings to an end one of the darkest chapters in the club's history, which started in 2011 when they entered Administration, which - in turn - condemned them to relegation to English football's fourth tier for the third time at the end of the 2010-11 season.
During the course of the campaign, the then Argyle manager Peter Reid paid the club's heating bill out of his own pocket and even auctioned off one of his FA Cup runners-up medals, which he won with Everton in 1986, to try and help the club.
Salvation eventually arrived in October 2011 when local businessman James Brent became the club's new owner.
The following two seasons saw the Pilgrims flirt with relegation from the Football League under the managerial reigns of Carl Fletcher and John Sheridan, and it was under Sheridan that Argyle finally started to move forward again.
In the 2013-14 season, the Pilgrims finished in the top half of any league since the 2007-08 season when they finished tenth in League Two. The following season saw them build on this as they made the end of season Play-offs for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign, when they beat Darlington 1-0 in the final under Neil Warnock.
However, there was to be no Wembley appearance this time as they were beaten by Wycombe Wanderers over two legs in the semis, which proved to be Sheridan's final games in charge.
A second Wembley visit did happen in the following season under Sheridan's successor Derek Adams, but the Pilgrims were beaten 2-0 by AFC Wimbledon.
Nevertheless there was to be no Wembley hangover for Argyle in the 2016-17 season, in a campaign which also saw them take Premier League giants to a replay in the FA Cup third round, as they clinched the ninth promotion in the club's history and will be experiencing League One football for the first time since 2011 in the 2017-18 campaign.
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