Argyle v Crystal Palace - Papa Johns Trophy

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STEVEN SCHUMACHER Managersnotes

Good evening everyone, and welcome to this evening’s game against Crystal Palace Under-21s.

Let me start by saying how sad I was to hear about the passing of Gordon Sparks. When I first came to Argyle, it wasn’t long before I learned all about Sparksy, and I soon got to discover why he was such a legend here.

We heard his name being chanted in the stands at Milton Keynes, which was an emotional thing to hear at the time, and feels even more emotional now.

My thoughts are with all of Gordon’s family and friends – which includes all of you, because he was such a massive part of the Argyle family.

It puts football in perspective, of course, but football was a huge part of Sparksy’s life, and I know how delighted he was with how we have been playing.

We kept our form going at MK Dons, getting another away win and putting in a strong performance. We looked after the ball well, didn’t give time to let Milton Keynes settle, and took our goals very well.

Tonight, we will look to advance into the second round of the Papa Johns Trophy with a good result. We take every competition we are in seriously, and hopefully we can progress.

The game also gives us a chance to get some minutes into the legs of certain players than need them, and give some of our younger players the chance to advance their football education in a first-team environment.

We extend a welcome to manager Paddy McCarthy and the players, staff, officials and supporters of Crystal Palace.

Enjoy the game, Steven.

TROPHY TALES

Argyle opened their Papa Johns Trophy campaign for this season with a visit from Bristol Rovers and a fine save from Callum Burton and Niall Ennis rifling into the top corner ensured a penalty shootout victory and the bonus point for the Pilgrims.

Burton saved brilliantly to give the Greens the edge in the spot-kick lottery and Ennis held his nerve with the final penalty to secure a 4-3 shoot-out success.

The 90 minutes produced plenty of drama and a riveting encounter. Argyle dominated the first period but were hit by a Ryan Loft goal soon after the restart.

Ryan Hardie equalised eight minutes later, keeping up the spotkick theme with a confident effort after Morgan Whittaker had been fouled.

We then travelled to Swindon Town and two homegrown talents scored in the space of four minutes to secure maximum points for Argyle.

Will Jenkins Davies popped up with the opener and he was quickly followed in the goals for column by fellow Academy graduate Oscar Halls, as Argyle dominated the first period before calmly seeing out the second half, adding a late third through Ryan Hardie. The only blot was a lastgasp consolation from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.

While the Greens opened with the win over Bristol Rovers, tonight’s visitors from Crystal Palace kicked off with a solid 2-0 win at Swindon in their first group game. Unfortunately for the Young Eagles, they went down by the same score at Rovers earlier this month.

A draw tonight would be enough to take Argyle through to the knock-out stages of the competition.

THE YOUNG EAGLES

History tells us that fixtures with Premier League U21 sides can be a mixed bag and very difficult to predict, but there is one certainty ahead of tonight’s game, Crystal Palace will arrive at Home Park with some very talented young footballers in their squad.

The Eagles are currently top of the Premier League U21 table after eight games, ahead of Manchester City on goal difference, and they face their nearest league rivals on Saturday.

Palace opened their U21 season with a 3-2 win over major rivals Brighton & Hove Albion, with Jean-Phillipe Mateta scoring twice and another goal from Malcolm Ebiowei.

It was then a trip to Manchester United and the Eagles were electric. David Omilabu got the ball rolling on six minutes and Palace doubled that lead through John-Kymani Gordon. United

did pull one back before Rob Street restored the two-goal cushion and a brace from Killian Phillips secured a 5-1 rout.

Oliver O’Neill scored both goals in a 2-2 draw at Fulham and then it was Street and a late Victor Akinwale winner that took them past ten-man Wolves in a 2-1 success. A brilliant hat-trick from Gordon gave the Eagles to a 3-0 win over Tottenham in the London derby.

Palace then recovered from 3-1 down to earn a draw with Chelsea and this was followed by an incredible 7-3 demolition of French giants PSG in the International Cup, Gordon adding another double to his tally.

Their only defeat in the Premier League U21 competition arrived nine days ago, going down 4-3 at home to Everton, and the record clearly states that Palace know how to score goals.

PILGRIMS EAGLES&

While Argyle and Crystal Palace have never played in a Trophy game before, the history between our clubs goes all the way back to 1906, when goals from Herbert Swann (left) and George Smith gave us a 2-0 Southern League victory at the Crystal Palace Sports Ground. Swann joined Palace a year later.

The first Home Park meeting arrived in 1907, a 0-0 draw, and it was 20 years later when the Pilgrims recorded their biggest ever win over the Eagles. The great Jack Leslie banged in a hattrick, his partner in goals, Sammy Black, scored once, as did Alec Hardie, and there was a brace for Jack Cock.

In recent years, our meetings have been confined to games in the Championship and Palace last visited Home Park in January 2010, when Victor Moses (below) scored an early winner for the visitors.

However, it was probably the two dug-outs that provided the best entertainment on that day, with the wonderful Paul Mariner directing traffic for Argyle and Neil Warnock returning ‘home’ as manager of the Eagles.

Our last Home Park victory over Palace was on a Tuesday night in October 2007, Peter Halmosi scoring the only goal for Ian Holloway’s Pilgrims.

Cup games have been a rarity between the two clubs, the first coming in 1908, when Palace won 3-2 in front of almost 18,000 fans in the FA Cup. Harry Ingham and Richard Morris scored the Argyle goals.

The attendance was almost as good for the next FA Cup clash, 66 years later in 1974. Mike Green and Billy Rafferty hit the net in a 2-1 victory for the Greens. The last knock-out game resulted in a 2-1 League Cup success for Palace at Selhurst Park in 2002, Blair Sturrock scoring for Argyle.

Tonight brings the next chapter and there is guaranteed to be some exceptional young talent on display.

AT

VACANCY

HEAD OF ACADEMY RECRUITMENT

We are now inviting qualified and exceptional candidates to submit an application for a pivotal role in the Argyle Academy.

Our proactive and forward-thinking Academy is recruiting a Head of Academy Recruitment, who will oversee recruitment of young players in Devon, alongside working closely with the Head of Cornwall Recruitment and Development. It is critical that the successful applicant has a strong

understanding of FA, EFL and Premier League governance.

The Head of Academy Recruitment will hold primary responsibility for the Argyle Academy trial process, as well as developing the Academy's Club Partner Strategy in line with the Academy’s long-term vision. The successful applicant will already have strong networks with local youth leagues and schools, in order to maintain relationships to improve the talent pipeline.

This exciting role in identifying and recruiting our future footballing talent requires a high level of organisational skills, an eye for detail and a passion for identifying talent and managing a team of scouts.

With the Argyle Academy taking a central position in the club’s publicly stated aim to become a sustainable Championship club, there has never been a better time for suitable candidates to further their careers at Home Park.

Interested candidates are invited to email Academy Manager Phil Stokes on phil.stokes@pafc.co.uk to request a full copy of the job description before submitting a copy of their CV and a covering letter outlining their suitability for the role.

Please note that the application deadline is 5pm on Thursday, 20 October.

Welcome to your dedicated news section in The Pilgrim, a chance to catch up on all the news from www.pafc.co.uk

ARGYLE ACADEMY RISES IN PRODUCTIVITY RANKINGS

The latest edition of Training Ground Guru’s set of Academy Productivity Rankings has shown a marked improvement for Argyle in all areas.

Founded by Simon Austin in 2017, Training Ground Guru is a company that collates information about male players who are eligible to represent the England national team, and who have played in at least one match for any team in the top five divisions of English football.

These players are then graded by the level at which they have played, and points awarded to the Academies, Centres of Excellence or similar structure which have played a part in producing the player.

Argyle are placed number 31 in the overall rankings, with a weighted score of 49 points. For context Chelsea, who top the list, have a score of 168.04; Liverpool, in 10th, have 91.46; Grimsby, 80th, have 3.82.

These numbers echo a recent EFL Annual Report in which the Argyle Academy’s productivity was praised.

When taking into account the six seasons from 2015/16 to 2020/21, Argyle ranked 61st out of 92 clubs on a metric which considers debuts, appearances and minutes played by graduates.

However, when isolated to the three-year period from 2018/19 to 2020/21, Argyle place 32nd, and once figures are taken into account for last season and the current one, the continued presence in Argyle’s first team of Mike Cooper and Adam Randell; the considerable involvement of Luke Jephcott and Ryan Law; and the emergence of numerous young players in Papa Johns Trophy action and on Sky Bet League One team-sheets, will likely mean our position will continue to significantly rise.

Among the Argyle Academy’s aims are to

include a minimum of four Academy graduates on each first-team teamsheet. In the 2021/22 season, the average was 4.96, up from 3.85 the previous season. Academy graduates played 11,486 minutes during the season, compared with 9,303 the season before.

All of the figures go alongside the visible success of the Academy, with last season’s Under-18 side having won the Merit League, and this year’s crop off to an excellent start in the Youth Alliance League, as well as the quality performances and contributions made by individuals at a higher level.

Academy Manager Phil Stokes said: “I am delighted to see figures from two independent reports back up what we know: that our Academy is progressing very well and is attaining our main aim of producing

and developing quality young footballers.

“At the heart of what we do is developing the pathway available to our young players, meaning that their aim of becoming a professional footballer who contributes to the first team of Plymouth Argyle is a realistic one.

“A big thank you to all of our staff, both coaches and those working across all departments of the Academy, for their hard work to enable us to keep improving our performance. It’s a team effort!

“Our manager, Steven Schumacher, and his coaching staff are extremely supportive, particularly Kevin Nancekivell. Kevin plays a vital role in ensuring that players graduating through the Academy continue to be nurtured and looked after - this is all part of our

football strategy designed by Neil Dewsnip, our Director of Football.

“Many of the young footballers you are seeing represent Argyle at firstteam level have been with the football club since they were eight, nine or ten years old. Their appearances for the first team are often the fruits of a decade or more of work by our coaches, and by the players and their families.

“We are already looking forward to seeing next year’s figures, which will undoubtedly see yet another step forward as we strive to make the Argyle Academy the very best it can be for player development.”

LIFE AT ARGYLE

CORNWALL HUB

ACADEMY VACANCIES

As the club looks to take further steps to enhance grassroots football in the county of Cornwalland enhance our player pathway into the Argyle Academy - a number of part-time roles have become available in our Cornish hubs.

The club has two Elite Coaching Hubs based in the Duchy, with the western satellite in Penryn, and the east based at Callywith College in Bodmin. From these hubs, the region's best young football talent gain access to Argyle coaching, while local grassroots coaches are invited to regular CPD sessions in partnership with Cornwall FA.

The Hubs are crucial pillars in the Academy's strategic plan, and successful candidates will play a key role in the further development of Argyle's vision for Cornwall.

LEAD ACADEMY COACHES (BODMIN)

Successful candidates for Lead Academy Coach

roles will understand player development, as well as hold a passion for achieving the club’s aim of developing more home-grown players into the first team. This exciting role in developing our future footballing talent requires a passion for developing and improving the Player Pathway within Cornwall. The successful individual will work with the Head of Cornwall Recruitment & Development.

Applicants must have a strong work ethic, ability to work flexibly and independently, and have a knowledge of local youth leagues and schools within Cornwall. Candidates must hold a minimum of an FA Level 2 qualification, and have aspirations of working towards the UEFA B License and FA Youth Award in the future. We are also looking for experience within a professional football club and in a busy and fast paced environment, together with experience of youth development and an ability to lead a team.

Interested candidates are invited to contact the club's Head of Cornwall Recruitment & Development, Paul Rowe, to request a copy of the job description on paul.rowe@pafc.co.uk , before submitting a CV and covering letter which outlines suitability for the role.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 12pm on Friday, 21 October.

ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST/ SPORTS THERAPIST (BODMIN AND PENRYN)

We are also recruiting part-time Academy Physiotherapists and Sports Therapists to support our medical department at our Cornwall Hubs. This is a vital role, taking a lead in the assessment and treatment of players within our Academy training. It is critical that the successful applicant understands how to support players with potential injuries in line with the club’s Emergency Action Plans.

Applicants must have a strong work ethic and the ability to work two evenings a week.

Candidates must hold either a BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy or Sports Therapy, and be willing to work towards the Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF) qualification within the first six months of holding the position. Experience within a professional football club and in a busy and fast paced environment is also preferable.

Interested candidates are invited to contact Erin Spiller on erin. spiller@pafc.co.uk to request a copy of the job description, before submitting a CV and a covering letter which outlines suitability for the role.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 12pm on Friday, 21 October.

Welcome to your dedicated news section in The Pilgrim, a chance to catch up on all the news from www.pafc.co.uk

BIG GREEN LOTTERY TO END IN NOVEMBER

Following the Grand Annual Draw for £10,000 this November, the Big Green Lottery scheme at Argyle will come to an end.

We would like to thank all Lottery members for their incredible backing of the Academy through the BGL.

As we move forward into another exciting new era at Home Park, we are constantly reviewing all areas of supporter interaction, and opportunities for the Green Army to be intrinsically involved in the development of your football club.

Following the BGL survey conducted in the summer, the overwhelming feedback we received from members was their primary motivation for joining the scheme was to support the Academy.

We have reviewed that process and reached the conclusion that alternative membership schemes, which are currently in the planning stage, will generate greater revenue for the next generation of Pilgrim talent.

Please keep a lookout on all media channels for what we hope

will be an amazing new platform for the Green Army to make a genuine, sustainable and consistent difference to our football operations – not only through supporting our everimproving Academy, but also the first team at Home Park.

BGL members have made a fabulous contribution to the Argyle Academy and we are forever grateful for your support. The alternative initiative will take us to a new level and it would be fantastic to see BGL members leading the charge. We will be in contact with BGL members and the

broader Argyle fanbase in the near future, with details on our exciting new scheme.

As far as your BGL Direct Debits are concerned, there is nothing you need to do, these will be automatically cancelled. Big match ticket priority and other BGL benefits will remain active until the official closure on Thursday, 3 November.

Welcome to your dedicated news section in The Pilgrim, a chance to catch up on all the news from www.pafc.co.uk

F-A ATT PTS GK

AUGUST

SAT 30 BARNSLEY 1-0 14,624 3 Cooper Wilson Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba

SAT 6 FLEETWOOD TOWN 1-2 3,713 3 Cooper Wilson Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba WED 10 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0-2 6,089 3 Cooper Wilson Lonwijk Galloway Edwards Houghton Butcher Endacott

SAT 13 PETERBOROUGH UNITED 2-0 13,307 6 Cooper Wilson Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Randell Houghton Mumba TUE 16 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1-5 12,392 6 Cooper Wilson Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Randell Houghton Mumba

SAT 20 FOREST GREEN ROVERS 3-0 3,404 9 Cooper Lonwijk Scarr Galloway Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba 1 SAT 27 BOLTON WANDERERS 2-0 14,631 12 Cooper Lonwijk Scarr Galloway Edwards Houghton Butcher Mumba TUE 30 BRISTOL ROVERS 1-1* 2,298 Burton Lonwijk Halls Gillesphey Edwards Houghton Randell Endacott

SEPTEMBER

SAT 3 DERBY COUNTY 3-2 27,173 Cooper Lonwijk Scarr Galloway Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba TUE 13 OXFORD UNITED 1-0 12,569 18 Cooper Lonwijk Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba

SAT 17 PORTSMOUTH 2-2 19,009 19 Cooper Lonwijk Scarr Gillesphey Edwards Houghton Butcher Mumba

TUE 20 SWINDON TOWN 3-1 2,026 Burton Wilson Galloway Pursall Halls 1 Houghton Randell Endacott

SAT 24 IPSWICH TOWN 2-1 15,480 22 Cooper Wilson Scarr Lonwijk Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba 1

OCTOBER

SAT 1 WYCOMBE WANDERERS 1-0 5,869 25 Cooper Wilson Scarr Galloway Lonwijk Randell Houghton Butcher

TUE 4 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2-1 16,381 28 Cooper Wilson Scarr Lonwijk Edwards Randell Butcher Mumba

SAT 8 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 3-0 15,065 31 Cooper Wilson Scarr Galloway Mumba Houghton Butcher Edwards

SAT 15 MK DONS 4-1 10,656 34 Cooper Wilson Lonwijk Butcher Edwards Houghton Randell Mumba

TUE 18 CRYSTAL PALACE U21

SAT 22 BRISTOL ROVERS

TUE 25 SHREWSBURY TOWN

SAT 29 EXETER CITY

NOVEMBER

SAT 12 LINCOLN CITY

SAT 19 BURTON ALBION

DECEMBER

22

FRI 2 PORT VALE

SAT 10 CAMBRIDGE UNITED

SAT 17 MORECAMBE

MON 26 CHELTENHAM TOWN

THU 29 WYCOMBE WANDERERS

JANUARY

SUN 1 MK DONS

SAT 7 ACCRINGTON STANLEY

SAT 14 IPSWICH TOWN

SAT 21 CHELTENHAM TOWN

SAT 28 DERBY COUNTY

FEBRUARY

SAT 4 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

SAT 11 PORTSMOUTH

TUE 14 OXFORD UNITED

SAT 18 FLEETWOOD TOWN

SAT 25 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

MARCH

SAT 4 CHARLTON ATHLETIC

SAT 11 BARNSLEY

SAT 18 FOREST GREEN ROVERS

SAT 25 BOLTON WANDERERS

APRIL

SAT 1 BRISTOL ROVERS

FRI 7 MORECAMBE

MON 10 LINCOLN CITY

SAT 15 EXETER CITY

TUE 18 SHREWSBURY TOWN

SAT 22 CAMBRIDGE UNITED

SAT 29 BURTON ALBION

MAY

SAT 6 PORT VALE

*Argyle won 4-3 on penalties

SUBS

Burton, Lonwijk, Galloway, Endacott C Breakspear Azaz Mayor Hardie 1 Whittaker Houghton Ennis Burton, Lonwijk, Galloway, Jephcott R Lewis Whittaker Ennis Jephcott Randell Azaz Gillesphey Hardie Mayor Burton, Scarr, Mumba, Roberts

Azaz 1 Mayor Hardie Whittaker Ennis Jephcott

A Young Azaz 1 Mayor Hardie 1 Ennis Butcher Lonwijk Whittaker Burton, Jephcott, Endacott

T Reeves Azaz Whittaker 1 Hardie Butcher Galloway Ennis Jephcott Lonwijk Burton, Mayor S Purkiss Azaz 1 Mayor Ennis 1 Hardie Whittaker Houghton Burton, Gillesphey, Jephcott, Endacott D Drysdale Azaz Mayor Ennis 1 Randell Whittaker Hardie 1 Wilson Gillesphey Burton, Jephcott W Finnie J-Davies Whittaker Hardie 1 Mumba Azaz Ennis Issaka Cooper, Butcher, Forkuo C Brook

Whittaker 1 Mayor Hardie Azaz Houghton Ennis Cosgrove 2 Gillesphey Burton, Wilson O Yates Azaz Mayor Hardie Whittaker 1 Ennis Cosgrove Houghton Wilson Burton, Galloway

C Hicks Azaz Whittaker Hardie Ennis 1 Randell Cosgrove Galloway Burton, Wilson, Jenkins Davies J Bell J-Davies 1 Mayor Cosgrove Hardie 1 Whittaker Lonwijk Butcher Issaka Baker, Mumba D Rock Whittaker 1 Mayor Ennis Cosgrove Houghton J-Davies Grant Gillesphey Burton, Hardie S Oldham

Whittaker Azaz Cosgrove 1 Mayor Grant

Burton, Edwards, Hardie, Mumba, Edworthy J Busby Azaz Whittaker Hardie 1 Houghton Galloway Ennis Cosgrove 1 Grant Burton, Jenkins Davies

A Davies Ennis 1 Whittaker Cosgrove 1 Lonwijk Randell Azaz Hardie 1 Burton, Grant, Jenkins Davies N Hair Azaz 2 Whittaker 1 Ennis 1 Hardie Grant J-Davies Cosgrove Craske Burton, Galloway S Allison

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE FOOTBALL CLUB

Home Park

Plymouth PL2 3DQ

CHAIRMAN Simon Hallett

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Berne, Jane Chafer, Trevor East, Richard Holliday, John Morgan, Andrew Parkinson, Michael Mincberg, Nick Giannotti

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Main Office: 01752 562561

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Email: argyle@pafc.co.uk

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HOME PARK STADIUM

Home Park Plymouth PL2 3DQ

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