Shell suit Shelly When a 16-year-old Paul Connolly arrived in Plymouth from Liverpool, not many would have imagined he would have gone on to become one of the club’s greatest full backs. ‘Shelly’ became an integral part of the Paul Sturrock revolution, featuring heavily in the 2003/04 promotion season. As the years and managers went on, he kept his place and was a strikers dream with his marauding runs and whipped in crosses becoming a feature of how Argyle played. But, after eight year...

Fireman Rhys. The name Rhys Griffiths might not mean that much to Argyle fans; a six-month spell which saw three goals in 17 matches doesn’t scream club legend. However, that short period of time meant so much to Rhys. The Cardiff born forward enjoyed a prolific time in his home country. He combined playing with working in the fire service and was a seven-time golden boot winner in the Welsh Premier League. But until the age of 32 he never got to achieve his boyhood dream of becoming a profes...

“Bradley Wright Wright Phillips” A short but clearly affective spell at Home Park for Bradley Wright-Phillips helped propel his career in the right direction. Being from a famous footballing family, football was obviously going to be the career path for young Brad and his brother Shaun. They both made a breakthrough at Manchester City but while Shaun was on the upwards trajectory, Brad struggled for a variety of reasons. It wasn’t until a few home truths were uttered in the corridors of Home ...

With the summer transfer window now over, Head of Recruitment Jimmy Dickinson opens up about how he feels the business has gone. Nine new players have come into the club, with significant money paid. New markets explored and exciting additions who have already made an impact on the pitch. It hasn’t all be plain sailing and brining in quality players to improve the squad hasn’t been easy, but in this episode of the Argyle Podcast, we aim to give you a better understanding into what goes on. Le...

Kevin Hodges, quite literally, is THE Argyle legend. Two promotions, part of the incredible FA Cup semi-final side of 1984, numerous player of the season awards and, by a country mile, the club’s record appearance holder. From the young lad who turned up in Plymouth after his hometown club’s youth set-up had folded, to the father figure to younger players in the dressing room, Kev’s journey has been remarkable. In this two-part series find out how he broke through, what Elm Cottage was like t...

‘He must have four lungs.’ To play 620 matches for one club over a 15-year spell, he probably did. Kevin Hodges, quite literally, is THE Argyle legend. Two promotions, part of the incredible FA Cup semi-final side of 1984, numerous player of the season awards and, by a country mile, the club’s record appearance holder. From the young lad who turned up in Plymouth after his hometown club’s youth set-up had folded, to the father figure to younger players in the dressing room, Kev’s journey has ...

Cherry picking! Whether playing against us or for us, Steve Cherry has been involved in some of Argyle greatest moments over the last 40 years. As an opposition goalkeeper in 1984, he watched as an Andy Rogers corner flew past him and gave Argyle an historic FA Cup quarter-final win. Fast forward 12 years and he again, in involved, this time for us, as Neil Warnock led Argyle to a 1-0 win at Wembley to clinch promotion in 1996. A complex character, who is larger than life and had a career tha...

Argyle Fives on opening weekends. As we are building up to the opening weekend of the Sky Bet Championship season for 2024/25, what better way to get us in the mood than looking back at some of the best opening day matches from our history. The anticipation is always huge, everyone full optimism for the campaign ahead and over the years there have been some memorable ones. Glorious weather, wonderful goals, away day extasy, Home Park relief; everything is encapsulated by the opening weekend. ...

The Ox in the Box. When Barry Hayles signed for Argyle in the summer of 2006, aged 34, many thought he was in the twilight of his career. However, this evergreen striker had other ideas. He quickly became a fans favourite, was Argyle’s top scorer that season and is still paying now, some 18 years later. His story began in South London in the 1970s and although never picked up by a ‘big club’ he always knew football was the path for him. From prolific non-league days to scoring at White Hart L...

Argyle Fives on best comebacks. Everyone likes a comeback. Late drama, the range of emotion and almost certainly the ‘winning feeling’ is one of the greatest things about this great sport. And Argyle have been involved in a fair share. In the fourth of the Argyle Fives series, Charlie Price, Kevin Nancekivell and Rob McNichol dive into the club's history to narrow the list down to just five. There are derby days, promotion charges, season definers and just plain mad games included in the d...

Welcome Tee-Jay. Nigerian striker Muhamed Tijani was the second player to join the club in the summer of 2024. Growing up in West Africa, Tee-Jay idolised Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney. He was always the best in his school and dreamed of one day playing in Europe. Those free-scoring school days led to that dream move, where the sun and comforts of home was replaced by the cold and rain of Banik, Czechia – but it was the place to be for Tee-Jay. After a couple of loan spells and a fruitf...

The latest episode of the Argyle Podcast is available to listen to! Super Frank Nouble. Not many footballers, have played for 19 clubs, featuring in the top six of divisions in England, spent two years in China and has set up their own Academy. Well, Frank Nouble has amongst many other things. Growing up in south London, he and his brother Joel, both signed for Chelsea in the early 2000s. Frank flourished, under the guidance of Paul Clement and Brendan Rodgers. Blues legend Gianfranco Z...

The first signing of the Wayne Rooney era. In May 2024, Nathanael Ogbeta became the first signing of the summer as Argyle prepared for their second successive Sky Bet Championship campaign. The highly rated full back has been on the books of Manchester City since the age of eight and captained England at youth level. Brought up in a sporting family, he and his sister Naomi have helped each other through some high pressure situations. Naomi is a multiple British Champion at triple jump and wit...

“Oh Bobby, Bobby…” Winning promotion in your first game in charge isn’t a bad way to introduce yourself to the Green Army. That is exactly what Bobby Williamson did in April 2004. His 504 days in charge of Argyle certainly were eventful. From that magical day against QPR, to beating Sunderland, Wigan and Reading in the Championship; signing Taribo West and then losing his job six days into a new season. Some of the stories of Bobby Williamson’s career at Home Park are well worth a listen. Now...

He led us out at Villa Park. What a moment that must have been for 22-year-old Leigh Cooper. An FA Cup semi-final, with half of Plymouth in the stands and one game away from Wembley. At the time he was one of the youngster captains in the Football League and although that day didn’t go his or Argyle’s way, Leigh was able to re-build his career after falling out of favour with fans and managers. Converted to a full back, he was an integral part of the 1986 promotion winning side and was almost...

‘A complete nutter.’ A phrase used to describe Andy Morrison by Blackpool manager Sam Allardyce. And, if you were to ask anyone who played against him, they would probably be the same. However, to played in the Premier League twice, captained half of the clubs you have played for and be named as Manchester City’s best ever captains, you’re more than just a hardman. Jock, moved to Plymouth from Scotland as a two-year old and rose through the ranks at his beloved Argyle. A move to the Pre...

The future is bright, the future is Green! Nothing males a football fan prouder than seeing ‘one of their own’ break through and make it. Over the last few seasons, there has been success after success coming out of the Argyle Academy. The 2023/24 season has been no exception. The under-18s were double winner, the under-10s won the Oakham tournament, Freddie Issaka was nominated at the EFL Awards for the Sky Bet Championship apprentice of the year – and that’s just to name a few. It’s been a ...

The one everyone wanted. The story of a promising footballer failing to live up to the hype is common. But what about the story of the best youngster the country has produced who was tipped to lead England to World Cup glory? Step forward Cherno Samba. A Championship Manager ‘must buy’ who was also the hottest property in the real world. Clubs were falling over each other to get the then 15-year old’s signature. However, like so many before him, it didn’t work out. Spells in Spain, Greece and...

A two-time title winner. Before arriving at Home Park in the winter of 2000, David Worrell’s young career already included a third placed finish at a World Championships and, more loosely, a Premier League title win. The first, he was full involved in, the second, not so much. However, by the age of 19, the Dublin born full-back had been an ever present as Ireland won the bronze medal at the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia and was a regular in the reserves at Blackburn Rovers, the ...

The Plymouth Rose. You can count on one hand the Plymothians who have played football for England. In fact, just two born in the city have gone on to represent their country at full international level; Trevor Francis and Jemma Rose. For Jemma, it was a pipe dream growing up in the 1990s. She played junior football in the city for Activate, coached by her dad, before getting recognised and brought into the Centre of Excellence. But with no pathway to become a professional in Devon, she had to...

“He does it…Marino Keith!” From Peterhead to Plymouth, Marino Keith was a hero in Green and part of the crop of Argyle players who won two championships. Growing up in Aberdeenshire he made his professional bow later than most. After a strong performance in the Highland Leagues for Fraserburgh, he got his dream move to boyhood club Dundee United. After spells at Falkirk and Livingston, Marino ventured about as south as south goes and joined Argyle in the November of 2001. In his first season ...

From being a Championship Manager legend to playing in the Championship with Argyle. A lot was expected of Bojan Djordijc. He made was playing first team football in Sweden aged 15, Manchester United came calling at 16 and he was one of the hottest properties on the computer game, Championship manager at 17. However, his career pathway didn’t quite pan out as the video game had predicted. A combination of childhood trauma, a lax attitude to training and injuries meant that the star boy, who w...

The Wylde thing. Argyle players from Kirkintilloch tend to do pretty well. Sammy Black is the club's record goal scorer and Gregg Wylde, whilst not quite hitting the same heights, played a big part in Argyle's rejuvenation. A Rangers fan, who played in Celtic's Academy, Gregg moved back across Glasgow and started his professional career at Ibrox. Under the watchful eye of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist, Gregg starred as a youngster at the club and if it wasn't for administration, would have ...

The magic of the cup. 40 years ago, third division Plymouth Argyle reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, an achievement still talked about today. Memories from that magical run ‘The Road to Villa Park’ are often spoken about by supporters who were there, the stories are part of Argyle folklore. 40 years on, the club in connection with Forever Green, are holding an event to celebrate the characters involved in one of the most famous chapters in Argyle’s history. Nine members of the squad, the...

Joe’s journey. Joe Mason grew up an Argyle supporter, had two older brothers in the Academy and dreamed of emulating his hero, Michael Evans. This week’s episode of the Argyle Podcast is part of the EFL’s Youth Development Week and shows off one of ‘our own’ who has gone on to make a success in the game after progressing through Argyle’s youth set-up. Not only did Joe manage to break through after a successful youth career, which involved locking horns with England Internationals Daniel Sturr...