Yeovil Town boss Terry Skiverton celebrated his 100th game in charge of Yeovil Town with a 1-0 away win over Tranmere Rovers that edges the Glovers closer to League One safety.
A speculative second half lob from Oli Johnson was enough to clinch the three points for Yeovil, who are now on 36 points for the season.
Another five wins between now and the end of the campaign would see the Glovers secure their status in the third tier of English football for a seventh season.
Working on a limited budget, Skivo has made good use of the loan market and has made a number of shrewd temporary acqisitions since he was appointed as Russell Slade's successor in February 2009.
These have included Spurs trio Jon Obika, Ryan Mason and Steven Caulker and the latter impressed the Huish Park faithful enough to virtually sweep the board at the Glovers' Player of the Year awards last season.
Other impressive loans have included Shaun MacDonald, who returned to Huish park for a third loan spell this season, Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and Skivo's ex-Glovers' team-mates Chris Weale and Gavin Williams have also returned to help the Yeovil cause before returning to their parent clubs.
This season's loan stars have included goalkeeper Stephen Henderson who joined from Bristol City, Max Ehmer, a young German defender who joined from QPR, and striker Oli Johnson who has chipped in with a few important goals since arriving from Norwich City.
Whilst Skivo's record in the loan market is well documented, his record in signing permanent players shouldn't be ignored either as, with the additions of players such as Paul Huntington, Paul Wotton, Dean Bowditch and Andrew Williams, the current Glovers' side is very much his own.
In an era where clubs change their manager on a regular basis, the fact that Skivo has been able to reach the 100 game mark is an achievement in itself.
If he can take what he has learnt from his first century of games as manager of Yeovil Town into the rest of his managerial career, then there is no reason why he cannot remain at Huish Park for a long time to come.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Friday, 25 February 2011
TRURO CONTINUE METEORIC RISE
Truro City pulled off arguably the result of the week on tuesday night when they defeated fellow Zamaretto Southern Premier League title challengers Salisbury City 6-0 at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.
Veteran former Plymouth Argyle striker Barry Hayles scored a hat-trick, whilst substitute Les Afful bagged a brace and former Exeter City starlet Andy Taylor completed the scoring.
The win puts Truro back on top of the Southern League table, a point clear of their Wiltshire opponents, as they continue the fine progress they have made under the guidance of Lee Hodges and his assistant Steve Adams.
Generously backed by owner Kevin Heaney, the White Tigers have become one of the most talked about sides in non-league football in recent years.
From the winning the FA Vase and the Western League One title in 2007, they followed this up in 2008 by winning the Western League Premier Division.
This helped them gain entry into the Southern League and they lifted the Southern League South and West League in the 2008-09 season and should Truro win promotion this season they will become the first Cornish team to play in the Blue Square South.
Their squad includes a number of the Exeter City side that famously held Manchester United to a goalless draw in 2005, including Danny Clay, Andy Taylor, Marcus Martin and Santos Gaia, and manager Lee Hodges has also been able to add his former Plymouth Argyle team mate Barry Hayles to his side.
If they continue at their current rate, who knows they might even become the first side from Cornwall to play in the Football League.
Veteran former Plymouth Argyle striker Barry Hayles scored a hat-trick, whilst substitute Les Afful bagged a brace and former Exeter City starlet Andy Taylor completed the scoring.
The win puts Truro back on top of the Southern League table, a point clear of their Wiltshire opponents, as they continue the fine progress they have made under the guidance of Lee Hodges and his assistant Steve Adams.
Generously backed by owner Kevin Heaney, the White Tigers have become one of the most talked about sides in non-league football in recent years.
From the winning the FA Vase and the Western League One title in 2007, they followed this up in 2008 by winning the Western League Premier Division.
This helped them gain entry into the Southern League and they lifted the Southern League South and West League in the 2008-09 season and should Truro win promotion this season they will become the first Cornish team to play in the Blue Square South.
Their squad includes a number of the Exeter City side that famously held Manchester United to a goalless draw in 2005, including Danny Clay, Andy Taylor, Marcus Martin and Santos Gaia, and manager Lee Hodges has also been able to add his former Plymouth Argyle team mate Barry Hayles to his side.
If they continue at their current rate, who knows they might even become the first side from Cornwall to play in the Football League.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
TONY KELLOW 1952-2011
Fans of South West football will no doubt be saddened to hear of the passing away of legendary former Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle striker Tony Kellow, who passed away yesterday at the age of 58.
After starting his career in Cornish non-league circles with Penzance FC before joining Falmouth Town, Tony signed for Exeter City in 1976 and he stayed at St James Park for two years before he was snapped up by Blackpool.
Two years later, Tony returned to Devon to re-join the Grecians in 1980 for a club record fee of £65,000, a figure that remains a record to this day.
In the 1980-81 season, Tony's goals proved to be instrumental in helping Exeter reach the Quarter Finals of the the FA Cup as they defeated Leicester City and Newcastle United before bowing out to Tottenham Hotspur after a replay.
Tony left Home Park in 1983 to join Plymouth Argyle, but spent much of his time at Home Park in the shadow of Tommy Tynan and only ten appearances in which he scored twice for the Pilgrims.
Moves to Swansea City and Newport County followed before Tony returned to St James Park for a third spell before he hung up his boots in 1988.
His goalscoring return of 129 goals from 332 games is a club record for the Grecians in recent years he had a radio show named in his honour, the critically acclaimed Kellow's Bootlaces.
I would pass on my sincere condolences to Tony's friends and family.
After starting his career in Cornish non-league circles with Penzance FC before joining Falmouth Town, Tony signed for Exeter City in 1976 and he stayed at St James Park for two years before he was snapped up by Blackpool.
Two years later, Tony returned to Devon to re-join the Grecians in 1980 for a club record fee of £65,000, a figure that remains a record to this day.
In the 1980-81 season, Tony's goals proved to be instrumental in helping Exeter reach the Quarter Finals of the the FA Cup as they defeated Leicester City and Newcastle United before bowing out to Tottenham Hotspur after a replay.
Tony left Home Park in 1983 to join Plymouth Argyle, but spent much of his time at Home Park in the shadow of Tommy Tynan and only ten appearances in which he scored twice for the Pilgrims.
Moves to Swansea City and Newport County followed before Tony returned to St James Park for a third spell before he hung up his boots in 1988.
His goalscoring return of 129 goals from 332 games is a club record for the Grecians in recent years he had a radio show named in his honour, the critically acclaimed Kellow's Bootlaces.
I would pass on my sincere condolences to Tony's friends and family.
Monday, 21 February 2011
ARGYLE TO LOSE TEN POINTS
Following the news that Plymouth Argyle intend to appoint an Administrator, the Pilgrims have been deducted ten points, leaving Argyle rooted to the bottom of League One.
Deputy Chairman Paul Stapleton announced the proposal as a means of giving the club protection against insolvency and David Hinchcliffe, of Walker Morris solicitors, will be working alongside Peter Ridsdale, who is still involved with the Pilgrims as an independent consultant.
The ten point deduction leaves Argyle at the foot of the League One table and ten points from safety. It also places greater importance on their trip to league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow night.
This latest development represents a new low for the club since the departure of Ian Holloway when Argyle were fourth in the Championship and the idea of Premiership football seemed like more than just a dream.
However, life in the Championship is a gamble for many clubs, especially for those without the luxury of Premiership parachute payments, and it is a gamble that the Pilgrims have lost in spectacular fashion.
Already this season, the club has survived a Winding Up Order in the High Court over unpaid taxes, which was settled following the sales a number of players in the January transfer window including leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips and Craig Noone.
Money promised by the club's Japanese majority shareholders, which would provided the club with a serious shot in the arm also failed to materialise.
If the worse situation was to come to pass and they were relegated to League Two, the level which the Pilgrims started the previous decade at, they still have ten players under contract.
One of those players goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was part of the Argyle squad that won the Division Three title with a record 102 points in the 2001-02 season and, for him, relegation would see his career at Home Park go full circle.
For the time being, at least, there are enough points to play for which would give the Pilgrims a chance of remaining in League One for the 2011-02 campaign and manager Peter Reid could use their predicament as a means of creating a siege mentality.
If they were to upset the form book at the Withdean Stadium, he would be doing a massive favour to his former Sunderland charge Lee Clark who is currently managing Huddersfield Town, one of the Seagulls' promotion rivals.
Deputy Chairman Paul Stapleton announced the proposal as a means of giving the club protection against insolvency and David Hinchcliffe, of Walker Morris solicitors, will be working alongside Peter Ridsdale, who is still involved with the Pilgrims as an independent consultant.
The ten point deduction leaves Argyle at the foot of the League One table and ten points from safety. It also places greater importance on their trip to league leaders Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow night.
This latest development represents a new low for the club since the departure of Ian Holloway when Argyle were fourth in the Championship and the idea of Premiership football seemed like more than just a dream.
However, life in the Championship is a gamble for many clubs, especially for those without the luxury of Premiership parachute payments, and it is a gamble that the Pilgrims have lost in spectacular fashion.
Already this season, the club has survived a Winding Up Order in the High Court over unpaid taxes, which was settled following the sales a number of players in the January transfer window including leading scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips and Craig Noone.
Money promised by the club's Japanese majority shareholders, which would provided the club with a serious shot in the arm also failed to materialise.
If the worse situation was to come to pass and they were relegated to League Two, the level which the Pilgrims started the previous decade at, they still have ten players under contract.
One of those players goalkeeper Romain Larrieu was part of the Argyle squad that won the Division Three title with a record 102 points in the 2001-02 season and, for him, relegation would see his career at Home Park go full circle.
For the time being, at least, there are enough points to play for which would give the Pilgrims a chance of remaining in League One for the 2011-02 campaign and manager Peter Reid could use their predicament as a means of creating a siege mentality.
If they were to upset the form book at the Withdean Stadium, he would be doing a massive favour to his former Sunderland charge Lee Clark who is currently managing Huddersfield Town, one of the Seagulls' promotion rivals.
Friday, 18 February 2011
LUGGY RETURNS TO DEVON TO FACE GULLS
This weekend's encounter between Torquay United and Southend United will be the first time that Shrimpers' manager Paul Sturrock has returned to Devon since he stood down as Plymouth Argyle boss in December 2009.
Luggy, as he was affectionately known to the Green Army, accepted a Business Support Manager's position at Home Park, as Paul Mariner took charge of first team affairs, before he left the Pilgrims towards the end of the 2009-10 campaign.
Since taking charge at Roots Hall, Paul has signed a number of former Argyle players including Peter Gilbert, Graham Coughlan, Chris Barker and his son Blair.
A number of players from Paul's Argyle squad that won the Division Three title in the 2001-02 campaign would find their way to Plainmoor later in their careers.
Many of them were in the Gulls' side when they defeated the Shrimpers to win automatic promotion in 2004.
Amongst the ex-Argyle contingnent in action on that day at Roots Hall were Craig Taylor, Brian McGlinchey and Martin Gritton.
Joe Broad and Kevin Wills were non-playing members of the Torquay playing on the day.
They would be later joined on the trail from Home Park to Plainmoor by Matt Villis, Martin 'Buster' Phillips, Ian Stonebridge (via Wycombe Wanderers), Mickey Evans, Steve Adams (via Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town), Lee Hodges and Blair Sturrock (via Kidderminster, Rochdale and Swindon).
If the Gulls were to record a win over the Essex side, it would be the first time that they have come out on top against a team managed by Paul in what would be a seventh attempt.
Luggy, as he was affectionately known to the Green Army, accepted a Business Support Manager's position at Home Park, as Paul Mariner took charge of first team affairs, before he left the Pilgrims towards the end of the 2009-10 campaign.
Since taking charge at Roots Hall, Paul has signed a number of former Argyle players including Peter Gilbert, Graham Coughlan, Chris Barker and his son Blair.
A number of players from Paul's Argyle squad that won the Division Three title in the 2001-02 campaign would find their way to Plainmoor later in their careers.
Many of them were in the Gulls' side when they defeated the Shrimpers to win automatic promotion in 2004.
Amongst the ex-Argyle contingnent in action on that day at Roots Hall were Craig Taylor, Brian McGlinchey and Martin Gritton.
Joe Broad and Kevin Wills were non-playing members of the Torquay playing on the day.
They would be later joined on the trail from Home Park to Plainmoor by Matt Villis, Martin 'Buster' Phillips, Ian Stonebridge (via Wycombe Wanderers), Mickey Evans, Steve Adams (via Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town), Lee Hodges and Blair Sturrock (via Kidderminster, Rochdale and Swindon).
If the Gulls were to record a win over the Essex side, it would be the first time that they have come out on top against a team managed by Paul in what would be a seventh attempt.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
ARGYLE YOUNG GUNS
Due to the off-the-field problems that have affected Plymouth Argyle this season, manager Peter Reid has been forced to give opportunities to a number of young players as he has been unable to dip into the transfer market.
Argyle are currently under a transfer embargo, which has prevented Reid from making any signings at all, so his squad currently has a very youthful backbone to it.
The cream of this crop is striker Joe Mason who, following the sale of Bradley Wright-Phillips to Charlton Athletic, is the Pilgrims’ leading scorer with six goals.
Joe was handed his debut against Sheffield United last season by Paul Sturrock and he continued to make fine progress for the Pilgrims following the appointment of Paul Mariner as Sturrock’s successor,
His rise to prominence proved to be a bright spot in a very difficult season for Argyle and he is now a regular under Peter Reid who has spoken highly of him on a number of occasions.
Joe’s exploits have also earned him international recognition from the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level, who he qualifies to play for through his grandmother
He was also the subject of a transfer bid from Swindon Town during the January transfer window, but Joe turned down the move stating that he wanted to stay and help the Pilgrims through their current plight.
Since taking charge of the Pilgrims Reid has also given debuts to Jack Stephens and Curtis Nelson, two players who have both seen action on a regular basis.
Nelson arrived at Home Park in 2009 when he signed apprentice forms after he was released by Stoke City and can play in defence or midfield.
He made his debut earlier in the season against Notts County in the Carling Cup and has become a regular in the centre of the Pilgrims’ defence.
Such has been the problems facing the Pilgrims that Nelson has had four different partners at centre back in the 18 appearances he has made in that position this season- Marcel Seip, Bondz N’gala, Reda Johnson and Carl Fletcher.
It is believed a number of Premier League scouts have been to Home Park to assess his credentials and will no doubt continue to monitor his progress.
Stephens, who hails from Torpoint, made his Argyle debut as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday. He has since been used by Reid on several other occasions after impressing the former Manchester City and Sunderland boss with his performance against the Owls.
In recent weeks they have been joined in the Argyle first team squad by Matt Rickard and Luke Young and, assuming the Pilgrims can recover from their present predicament, these players could be central to building a new Plymouth Argyle side for the future.
Argyle are currently under a transfer embargo, which has prevented Reid from making any signings at all, so his squad currently has a very youthful backbone to it.
The cream of this crop is striker Joe Mason who, following the sale of Bradley Wright-Phillips to Charlton Athletic, is the Pilgrims’ leading scorer with six goals.
Joe was handed his debut against Sheffield United last season by Paul Sturrock and he continued to make fine progress for the Pilgrims following the appointment of Paul Mariner as Sturrock’s successor,
His rise to prominence proved to be a bright spot in a very difficult season for Argyle and he is now a regular under Peter Reid who has spoken highly of him on a number of occasions.
Joe’s exploits have also earned him international recognition from the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level, who he qualifies to play for through his grandmother
He was also the subject of a transfer bid from Swindon Town during the January transfer window, but Joe turned down the move stating that he wanted to stay and help the Pilgrims through their current plight.
Since taking charge of the Pilgrims Reid has also given debuts to Jack Stephens and Curtis Nelson, two players who have both seen action on a regular basis.
Nelson arrived at Home Park in 2009 when he signed apprentice forms after he was released by Stoke City and can play in defence or midfield.
He made his debut earlier in the season against Notts County in the Carling Cup and has become a regular in the centre of the Pilgrims’ defence.
Such has been the problems facing the Pilgrims that Nelson has had four different partners at centre back in the 18 appearances he has made in that position this season- Marcel Seip, Bondz N’gala, Reda Johnson and Carl Fletcher.
It is believed a number of Premier League scouts have been to Home Park to assess his credentials and will no doubt continue to monitor his progress.
Stephens, who hails from Torpoint, made his Argyle debut as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday. He has since been used by Reid on several other occasions after impressing the former Manchester City and Sunderland boss with his performance against the Owls.
In recent weeks they have been joined in the Argyle first team squad by Matt Rickard and Luke Young and, assuming the Pilgrims can recover from their present predicament, these players could be central to building a new Plymouth Argyle side for the future.
Monday, 14 February 2011
HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE PLAINMOORGATE
With the outcome of the punishment for Torquay United and Hereford United for fielding ineligible players in their league encounter last month likely to be known shortly, let's take a look at the possible outcomes of the hearing.
Both teams committed the same offence, the Gulls' Jake Robinson and the Bulls' Rob Purdie weren't registered by the deadline of the transfer window, and the League will want to be seen as being fair and strong on both teams in equal measure.
If the game was replayed, which, in an ideal world, would seem like a reasonable option as both teams committed the same offence. However, if the original result was declared void and Torquay were to win the re-arranged fixture, they would be in a better position as a consequence of it.
Should they decide to deduct three points from each side then Hereford will still have the points advantage which they gained on the night.
Perhaps the fairest, and an option the League may decide is in everyone's best interests, would be to deduct one goal off Torquay's goals for column as Robinson also scored for the Gulls on the night and then chalk off the three gained by Hereford.
This would mean the advantage's obtained by both sides on the night would be removed.
It is important that the League make a decision quickly as the Bulls are involved in the relegation mix at the bottom of the table and the Gulls, following their 3-0 win at Barnet on Saturday, have eyes on making the end of the season Play-Offs.
Another radical option, something which game's greater authorities may wish to consider to avoid such an incident happening again would be to scrap the transfer windows and return to the old system when the deadline for all transfer dealings was the last Friday in March.
It would save club officials frantically rushing around trying to push late deals through in a short space of time.
Both teams committed the same offence, the Gulls' Jake Robinson and the Bulls' Rob Purdie weren't registered by the deadline of the transfer window, and the League will want to be seen as being fair and strong on both teams in equal measure.
If the game was replayed, which, in an ideal world, would seem like a reasonable option as both teams committed the same offence. However, if the original result was declared void and Torquay were to win the re-arranged fixture, they would be in a better position as a consequence of it.
Should they decide to deduct three points from each side then Hereford will still have the points advantage which they gained on the night.
Perhaps the fairest, and an option the League may decide is in everyone's best interests, would be to deduct one goal off Torquay's goals for column as Robinson also scored for the Gulls on the night and then chalk off the three gained by Hereford.
This would mean the advantage's obtained by both sides on the night would be removed.
It is important that the League make a decision quickly as the Bulls are involved in the relegation mix at the bottom of the table and the Gulls, following their 3-0 win at Barnet on Saturday, have eyes on making the end of the season Play-Offs.
Another radical option, something which game's greater authorities may wish to consider to avoid such an incident happening again would be to scrap the transfer windows and return to the old system when the deadline for all transfer dealings was the last Friday in March.
It would save club officials frantically rushing around trying to push late deals through in a short space of time.
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