Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Reid has been sacked following his side's dismal start to the season.
His dismissal brings the curtain down on 15 turbulent months during which time the club has faced winding up orders with from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, been forced to sell their best players to pay debts.
There has also been a lengthy spell in administration, which saw the Pilgrims docked ten points and subsequently relegated from League One and a threatened player strike over unpaid wages.
However, during this time, Reid conducted himself in a dignified manner. He paid the club's heating bill in November of last year after he noticed the club's office staff were working in the cold after the bill had gone unpaid.
When young fan Jack Wilkinson offered to donate his savings off 53p to help save the club, Reid invited seven-year-old Jack to meet the players before their game against Colchester last February and made him a mascot for the day and, of course, returned his 53p.
Reid also made his 1986 FA Cup Runners-up medal available to auction in a bid to raise funds to save the club towards the end of last season.
On the pitch, Reid has inherited an unsustainable wage bill, which included a number of wantaway players who were earning big money.
Players such as Damien Johnson, Steven MacLean and Marcel Seip found themselves loaned out as Argyle desperately tried to cut the cloth.
The task of team building was made impossible as in the January 2011 Transfer window Craig Noone, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Reda Johnson were sold in an attempt to settle their debts.
Administration eventually came in early March and with it the inevitable ten point penalty, which helped condemn Argyle to a second consecutive relegation.
In the summer, with talks over the sale of the club ongoing, Reid was forced to sell Joe Mason to Cardiff City and Yala Bolasie to Bristol City and was unable to agree terms with a number of his transfer targets, including Liam Dickinson and Anthony Elding, who both went elsewhere in search of better offers, because of the club's financial situation.
Reid was forced to start the season with a squad mainly made up of untried youngsters and loan signings as Argyle now find themselves bottom of League Two and five points adrift of safety.
Peter Reid has had to deal with more challenges in 15 months than many managers have or will face in 15 years.
When he asked about his reaction to the Pilgrims breaking a club record of seven consecutive home defeats following their 2-0 home defeat against Port Vale, he replied: "The club have been in Administration since March, and that hasn't happened before. That tells it's own story."
Indeed it does.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
Thursday, 15 September 2011
O'KANE COMPLETES REPUBLIC SWITCH
Torquay United midfielder Eunan O'Kane has completed his international 'transfer' from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
The former Everton starlet made the move under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998-which allows residents of Northern Ireland to claim either British or Irish nationality.
By taking this step, Eunan is following in the footsteps of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson and Everton defender Shane Duffy, a former teammate of O'Kane's at Goodison Park.
Eunan has outlined that his decision had nothing to do with religion, as he is from the Catholic community.
“They obviously go straight to religion but I can't stress enough that that's got nothing to do with it.
“I just felt my opportunity wasn't going to come playing for Northern Ireland and the Republic have come and asked me to come and join them, so it's kind of a no-brainer to take the decision to the country that want you.
“I just want to play football and if the Republic are going to give me that chance then I'm prepared to take it.”
He added: “If people are going to go down that line and say that it's a religious thing for me then I'm not worried.
“Anybody that knows me or has grown up with me knows that that's got nothing to do with it.”
After being capped at every level by Northern Ireland from Under-16 level to Under-21 level, O'Kane is now available for selection by the Republic of Ireland for the next round of international matches.
His new teammates will include Shane Duffy, former Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason and ex Pilgrims loanee Conor Clifford.
The former Everton starlet made the move under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998-which allows residents of Northern Ireland to claim either British or Irish nationality.
By taking this step, Eunan is following in the footsteps of Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson and Everton defender Shane Duffy, a former teammate of O'Kane's at Goodison Park.
Eunan has outlined that his decision had nothing to do with religion, as he is from the Catholic community.
“They obviously go straight to religion but I can't stress enough that that's got nothing to do with it.
“I just felt my opportunity wasn't going to come playing for Northern Ireland and the Republic have come and asked me to come and join them, so it's kind of a no-brainer to take the decision to the country that want you.
“I just want to play football and if the Republic are going to give me that chance then I'm prepared to take it.”
He added: “If people are going to go down that line and say that it's a religious thing for me then I'm not worried.
“Anybody that knows me or has grown up with me knows that that's got nothing to do with it.”
After being capped at every level by Northern Ireland from Under-16 level to Under-21 level, O'Kane is now available for selection by the Republic of Ireland for the next round of international matches.
His new teammates will include Shane Duffy, former Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason and ex Pilgrims loanee Conor Clifford.
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
BRENT SETS FRIDAY DEADLINE
Devon based entrepreneur James Brent has stated that he will have a clearer idea by Friday whether he will be in a position to make a bid to buy Plymouth Argyle.
Brent, who tabled a bid to buy the Pilgrims earlier in the year, has been meeting a number of the club's key creditors this week.
He has stated that he will have a clearer idea by Friday whether he can launch a deal which will rescue the club.
"We're spending this week gathering views of key stakeholders," said Brent.
"We hope to be in a position by the end of this week to know whether to participate in the rescue of the club.
"I've promised by Friday morning that I'll let people know if there is anything I can do after discussing it with the key stakeholders."
This news comes after speculation that the current preferred bidder, Bishop International Ltd, a Gibraltar based backed by Truro City Chairman Kevin Heaney had pulled out of the running.
However, Heaney insists that BIL have not walked away from the deal to buy Argyle.
"The administrators are entitled to consider other bids and we have not quit," said Heaney.
Brent, who tabled a bid to buy the Pilgrims earlier in the year, has been meeting a number of the club's key creditors this week.
He has stated that he will have a clearer idea by Friday whether he can launch a deal which will rescue the club.
"We're spending this week gathering views of key stakeholders," said Brent.
"We hope to be in a position by the end of this week to know whether to participate in the rescue of the club.
"I've promised by Friday morning that I'll let people know if there is anything I can do after discussing it with the key stakeholders."
This news comes after speculation that the current preferred bidder, Bishop International Ltd, a Gibraltar based backed by Truro City Chairman Kevin Heaney had pulled out of the running.
However, Heaney insists that BIL have not walked away from the deal to buy Argyle.
"The administrators are entitled to consider other bids and we have not quit," said Heaney.
Monday, 12 September 2011
SAAH MAKES TEAM OF THE WEEK AGAIN
For the second week in succession, Torquay United defender Brian Saah has been named in the League Two Team of the Week.
After a slow start to his career at Plainmoor, Saah, a former England C international, has become an integral part of a Torquay defence which has now kept two consecutive clean sheets.
During the previous week, Brian also opened his goal scoring account for the Gulls when he headed home a Kevin Nicholson corner to score Torquay's opening goal in their 3-0 win over Macclesfield Town last week.
Following Martin Ling's appointment as Gulls' manager in the summer, Brian become one of his first signings and he was quickly appointed as club captain and vice-captain to Lee Mansell.
It was Ling who gave Brian his league debut for Leyton Orient as a 16-year old and he went on to help Orient win promotion from League Two under Ling's guidance in the 2005-06 season, before going on to serve Ling again at Cambridge United.
If the Gulls can maintain their current form, don't rule out both manager and player celebrating a second promotion in the near future.
After a slow start to his career at Plainmoor, Saah, a former England C international, has become an integral part of a Torquay defence which has now kept two consecutive clean sheets.
During the previous week, Brian also opened his goal scoring account for the Gulls when he headed home a Kevin Nicholson corner to score Torquay's opening goal in their 3-0 win over Macclesfield Town last week.
Following Martin Ling's appointment as Gulls' manager in the summer, Brian become one of his first signings and he was quickly appointed as club captain and vice-captain to Lee Mansell.
It was Ling who gave Brian his league debut for Leyton Orient as a 16-year old and he went on to help Orient win promotion from League Two under Ling's guidance in the 2005-06 season, before going on to serve Ling again at Cambridge United.
If the Gulls can maintain their current form, don't rule out both manager and player celebrating a second promotion in the near future.
Friday, 9 September 2011
INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP
This weeks' latest round of internationals saw a number of players with South West connections feature for their respective countries.
Plymouth Argyle striker Warren Feeney appeared as a substitute for Northern Ireland in their defeats at hands of Serbia and Estonia.
His Pilgrims teammate, Conor Hourihane, came off the bench to play a cameo role for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as they were beaten by their Turkish counterparts.
Torquay United loanee Billy Bodin, who joined the Gulls recently on a six-month loan deal from Swindon Town, started for Wales Under-21 side as they were defeated 3-1 by Montnegro.
Elsewhere, Brixham born teenager and ex Plymouth Argyle starlet Dan Gosling and former Yeovil Town loanee Steven Caulker appeared for the England Under-21's in their victories over Azerbaijan and Israel.
Caulker, who is currently on loan at Premiership new boys Swansea City, started against Azerbaijan, as England won 6-0, and appeared as a second half substitute against the Israelis. whilst Gosling, now of Newcastle United, started against Israel.
The following night saw former Argyle loanee Darcy Blake appear for Wales against England at Wembley, where he was given the task of marking Wayne Rooney.
Darcy, who made seven appearances for the Pilgrims in the 2009-10 season, kept his place in the side after an impressive showing against Montnegro and came out of the game against England with some considerable credit.
Plymouth Argyle striker Warren Feeney appeared as a substitute for Northern Ireland in their defeats at hands of Serbia and Estonia.
His Pilgrims teammate, Conor Hourihane, came off the bench to play a cameo role for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as they were beaten by their Turkish counterparts.
Torquay United loanee Billy Bodin, who joined the Gulls recently on a six-month loan deal from Swindon Town, started for Wales Under-21 side as they were defeated 3-1 by Montnegro.
Elsewhere, Brixham born teenager and ex Plymouth Argyle starlet Dan Gosling and former Yeovil Town loanee Steven Caulker appeared for the England Under-21's in their victories over Azerbaijan and Israel.
Caulker, who is currently on loan at Premiership new boys Swansea City, started against Azerbaijan, as England won 6-0, and appeared as a second half substitute against the Israelis. whilst Gosling, now of Newcastle United, started against Israel.
The following night saw former Argyle loanee Darcy Blake appear for Wales against England at Wembley, where he was given the task of marking Wayne Rooney.
Darcy, who made seven appearances for the Pilgrims in the 2009-10 season, kept his place in the side after an impressive showing against Montnegro and came out of the game against England with some considerable credit.
Friday, 2 September 2011
PILGRIMS' STRIKE AVERTED
Plymouth Argyle will be fielding a full strength team at Burton Albion after the players received 40% of their salary for September.
The Pilgrims had threatened to go on strike and refuse to play in the match over the money which was owed to them. This comes after several of their squad haven't been paid in full since December 2010 and many of them were considering selling their homes in a bid to lower their own personal living expenses.
Skipper Carl Fletcher said: "The worrying thing from our point of view is why did it have to take us to come out and say what we said yesterday to stump up some money?
"Surely the players and staff should be one of their priorities and it shouldn't have to take the threat of not playing for them to do that.
"They're taking advantage of our professionalism and our desire to keep the club going,"
Talks between the Administrators and Bishop International Ltd, the club's preferred bidder, are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Stephane Zubar, who left Home Park last month after having his contract terminated, is in training with Yeovil Town.
The Pilgrims had threatened to go on strike and refuse to play in the match over the money which was owed to them. This comes after several of their squad haven't been paid in full since December 2010 and many of them were considering selling their homes in a bid to lower their own personal living expenses.
Skipper Carl Fletcher said: "The worrying thing from our point of view is why did it have to take us to come out and say what we said yesterday to stump up some money?
"Surely the players and staff should be one of their priorities and it shouldn't have to take the threat of not playing for them to do that.
"They're taking advantage of our professionalism and our desire to keep the club going,"
Talks between the Administrators and Bishop International Ltd, the club's preferred bidder, are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Stephane Zubar, who left Home Park last month after having his contract terminated, is in training with Yeovil Town.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
ARGYLE PLAYERS CONSIDER STRIKE ACTION
A number of senior Plymouth Argyle players are considering not playing against Burton Albion on Saturday in protest at not being paid again.
Many of the Pilgrims' squad have not been paid in full since December 2010 and this latest development comes despite the recent confirmation that the preferred bidder, Bishop International Ltd, have the funds to complete the £6million purchase of the club and the surrounding land.
Manager Peter Reid has announced that he will be sending out a side to face Burton at the Pirrelli Stadium, regardless of whether the players decide to strike or not.
He said:"Whatever happens I'll put a team out, but I wouldn't hold anything against these players if they decided they weren't in the right state of mind to play.
"We're talking about people's livelihoods. As much as we love football and it's important to win matches, sometimes that comes second best."
Meanwhile, the club's Supporters' Trust have called for a meeting with the club's Administrators to discuss alternatives should the deal with Bishop International Ltd is not completed.
Many of the Pilgrims' squad have not been paid in full since December 2010 and this latest development comes despite the recent confirmation that the preferred bidder, Bishop International Ltd, have the funds to complete the £6million purchase of the club and the surrounding land.
Manager Peter Reid has announced that he will be sending out a side to face Burton at the Pirrelli Stadium, regardless of whether the players decide to strike or not.
He said:"Whatever happens I'll put a team out, but I wouldn't hold anything against these players if they decided they weren't in the right state of mind to play.
"We're talking about people's livelihoods. As much as we love football and it's important to win matches, sometimes that comes second best."
Meanwhile, the club's Supporters' Trust have called for a meeting with the club's Administrators to discuss alternatives should the deal with Bishop International Ltd is not completed.
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