Plymouth Argyle season 2012/13 preview by The Herald

MONDAY AUGUST 13 2012

MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO ARGYLE’S 2012/13 LEAGUE TWO SEASON

THE BIG KICK-OFF

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MONDAY AUGUST 13 2012

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ARGYLE THE BIG KICK-OFF SPECIAL A special supplement published by The Herald

CONTENTS James Brent .......... Pages 2-3 Darren Purse ......... Pages 4-5 Team picture ......... Pages 6-7 Andres Gurrieri ........... Page 8 Rhys Griffiths .............. Page 9 Jared Sims ............... Page 10 Home Park’s new look . Page 10 Devon derbies .......... Page 11 Argyle fixtures .......... Page 12

Written by CHRIS ERRINGTON Pictures by John Allen, Dave Rowntree, Penny Cross, Lucy Duval and Lucy Blake Design by Owen Ryles and Glenn Bryant

FOLLOW THE PILGRIMS ALL THE WAY IN 2012/13 AT – THISISPLYMOUTH.CO.UK FRONT COVER PICTURE: (From left) Argyle arrivals Rene Gilmartin, Johnny Gorman, Andres Gurrieri, Paris Cowan-Hall and Rhys Griffiths

The Herald, Monday August 13 2012

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The Herald, Monday August 13 2012

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Argyle Special

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YOUR GUIDE TO ARGYLE’S 2012/13 LEAGUE TWO SEASON

THE BIG KICK-OFF

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OWNING Plymouth Argyle has had a benefit which James Brent did not anticipate. He knew it would require a considerable financial commitment on his part, but it has also meant father-of-five Brent, who has a wide variety of business interests, has been able to spend time with his children. They, like him, have become addicted to Argyle in the relatively short space of time since he bought the debt-crippled club out of administration last October. Take the penultimate match of last season, when Argyle played at Morecambe, for example. The Pilgrims had already secured their Football League future after dicing with relegation for much of the campaign, but Brent still decided to drive all the way to Morecambe. This from someone who freely admits he had no interest in football until the chance to rescue Argyle from oblivion first came about. It has been a busy summer at Home Park, with manager Carl Fletcher making six new signings, as well as retaining the services of most of the club’s out-of-contract players. It has been equally hectic behind the scenes at the League Two club. A new membership system has been introduced, effectively replacing the traditional season tickets, and various improvements have been made round the ageing stadium. All of that has been overseen by Argyle chief executive Martin Baker and Jason Turner, the club’s general manager and football secretary. That has allowed Brent to concentrate on his other commitments over the summer, which include a hotel chain and a north Devon-based surfwear company. Brent told Herald Sport: “Argyle takes up a pretty small part of my business time, but it’s a relatively high part of my leisure time now, which is the interesting thing. “The great benefit I have, which I didn’t think I would get when we took over the club, is that my kids absolutely love it. “I don’t get a lot of time with my family, so the fact they are keen to come to games means I can come to virtually all the games. “I’m thoroughly enjoying that because I’m learning from scratch. “I didn’t understand football at all, or the passion that people have for it, so in my mid-40s I’m learning quite a lot.” More than 4,000 memberships have been sold by Argyle ahead of the new season, which Brent has taken encouragement from. Various ‘extras’ were introduced to the packages as an incentive for supporters to ‘Join the Club’, such as replica shirts and matchday programmes. But Brent realises a winning team is the best way of swelling the attendances at Home Park on a regular basis. He said: “The target was to achieve 5,000 memberships, so we are a bit short of that, but I think it does evidence great support. “It’s up from 3,400 last season. “I have always believed we need to offer a product for people, and that’s partly the environment in which they watch the

■ Plymouth Argyle owner James Brent freely admits he had no interest in football until he had the chance to rescue the Pilgrims from oblivion, but now he reveals to Herald Sport’s CHRIS ERRINGTON how he has been won over by the sport and the positive impact it has had on his family life

game, and the quality of the food and the drinks, and so on. “But, clearly, it’s mainly having a team which is winning. Once we start achieving success on the pitch, hopefully we will get back to the numbers that Argyle have historically seen.” Brent promised after buying the Pilgrims he wanted more engag ement between the club and the fans, and he has set about fulfilling that. One way in which that is being done is the creation of the soont o - b e -f o r m e d Plymouth A r g y l e Supporters Board. Brent has not been involved in that process, leaving that to Professor David Wheeler, acting as an independent advisor. He has worked with the various Argyle supporters’ groups, as well as

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individuals, over the past six months to set it all up. PASB will provide ‘c on s tr uc t iv e ch al len ge ’ to the club’s board of directors, and act as a mouthpiece for the Green Army. Brent said: “It has been very considered, the way it has been undertaken. So it has taken a bit of time to get it right. “ B u t , given the i m po r t an c e of providing constructive challenge to the board of directors, I think that it was right to g e t t h e structure right and get the election process right. “I, and the board, have had no involvement in it, other than agreeing to fund the cost of the elections, but it seems to be being done very professionally. “I’m sure we will end up with

Once we start achieving success on the pitch, hopefully, we will get back to the numbers that Argyle have historically seen

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constructive but interrogating members of that board.” Another recent initiative is the creation of the Forza Verde 1886 fans’ group, who have taken up residence in a couple of blocks of the Devonport End at Home Park on matchdays. Club president Chris Webb has been one of the driving forces behind Forza Verde, and they consist of the more vocal members of the Green Army. Brent said: “I think it really brings great atmosphere to the stadium, and there is no doubt in my mind it does motivate and drive our players forward. “The great thing about the stadium is we can, and should, accommodate fans across the age demographic. “We have opened a new family stand (at the corner of the Lyndhurst and Barn Park stands) with great facilities to help cater for parents and young fans. “Then, we have the Devonport End which is particularly noisy and robust. “For me, it’s very much recognising where our fanbase is and where we want to grow it, and then trying to accommodate each of those groups of fans.” Brent and his board of directors – Baker, David Felwick, Richard Holliday and Peter Jones – are determined to

EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE: Argyle owner James Brent (above, left and bottom) has been keen engage with the club’s fanbase since take over the Pilgrims last year make sure Argyle are run with financial prudence. But that does not mean they are not prepared to back manager Carl Fletcher when he makes a request of them. Brent said: “We have established a budget for the club, which is our best view on what revenues will be and what the non-playing costs will be. “Then we have established a budget for Carl, which will again incur a loss this season, but it will be a funded loss so there is money there to pay for it. “Carl asked us to review his budget and find some extra money, which we have done with his help and looking elsewhere.” Brent continued: “Carl gets approval for each of the players, but he has the choice of the composition of the squad. “He’s always very good – he explains why he’s doing things. “I don’t say to him I think he should be looking at a centre-forward from one place, or an extra winger rather than a midfielder. “Carl is the gaffer and he will build his reputation on the results he achieves. I

think it’s right for the board to set a budget for him and then support him in spending that wisely.” A former City of London banker, Brent has a clear view of the way forward for Argyle, financially. Brent said: “In terms of this season, there is a loss in the profit and loss account, but the cashflow is estimated to be neutral. “That means there is no additional requirement above what has been put into the club. “I think, going forward, the hope and expectation is we are planning to build a new grandstand for the club, which will improve the matchday experience. “But what we are also planning to do is to create sources of matchday and nonmatchday income the club currently doesn’t have.” When it comes to playing budgets, League Two title favourites Rotherham United and Fleetwood Town are thought to have the most money to spend, and by some margin. But Brent believes Argyle’s compares

very favourably to the rest of the division. He said: “We do have a big budget, and even when you adjust it for inflation it’s much larger than we had in 2001/02, when we won the league with a record number of points. “We have a budget which should work in this division, and should probably work in the next division. But what we have said we would like to do is to create a sustainable Championship side, and that does need additional income.” Brent added: “The contention I have always had is that it’s very dangerous for a club to rely on a benefactor to put in money each year, because one year it will stop. “It may be because the benefactor has died, or he has gone bust or it may be because he has lost interest in football. “So the sugar daddy approach, in my view, isn’t healthy. “But if the club is gifted a source of sustainable revenue, there is no reason why, if the benefactor dies, that source of revenue will not continue for a long period of time.”

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Argyle Special

VETERAN PURSE AS AMBITIOUS AS EVER TEAM LEADERS: Plymouth Argyle captain and centreback Darren Purse and striker Nick Chadwick in pre-season

SOME PEOPLE are born leaders – and new Plymouth Argyle captain Darren Purse is one of them. Not only is he a commanding, powerful defender, his very presence on the pitch inspires those team-mates around him. Earlier in his career, he represented England at under-21 level, before playing in the Premier League for Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Now aged 35, his appetite for success is undimmed. This is not someone content to simply see out his time as a professional footballer. He is convinced he can achieve that with Argyle. Purse first arrived at Home Park last November, signing on loan from Championship club Millwall, before completing a permanent transfer at the start of January. His domineering performances, and excellent centre-back partnership with player-of-the-year Maxime Blanchard, were key reasons behind the Pilgrims’ successful escape from the clutches of relegation out of the Football League. Now, following the departure of previous skipper Simon Walton to League One outfit Hartlepool United this summer, he has taken over that mantle. Purse told Herald Sport: “It’s always an honour to captain a football club and I have been lucky enough to do it throughout my career. “Hopefully, I can be the captain to lead Argyle to better times than they have had over the last couple of years.” Purse sees one of his main responsibilities as skipper to be a link between the players, especially the younger ones, and manager Carl Fletcher. It is not like in cricket, for example, where captains are involved in picking the team and deciding on tactics. In football, that is the sole domain of the manager. Purse said: “I play cricket and captains put people in positions and actually have a say in the team. “That’s not on the agenda in football. The manager selects the side and he has got the tactics he wants. “As the captain, you are probably the go-between between the players and the manager. “At the minute, we have got lots of younger players at the football club and some of them can be a bit unsure about going to see the manager. “If any of them have got a problem, then I’m always there for them to speak to. If it’s something the gaffer needs to sort out, then I can go to him. “When you are on the football pitch, it’s about encouragement. “And if anything needs to be put onto the pitch, the gaffer will usually go to the captain to do that. It’s a pretty easy job, really.” Another of Purse’s responsibilities, and one he takes seriously, is to liaise over personal appearances by the players within the local community. He said: “I do enjoy being captain. It doesn’t change the way I play on the pitch.

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“I’m still as mouthy and loud as ever even when I’m not wearing the armband. “It’s more the off-the-field stuff that does make a difference and puts a bit more of a demand on you.” As captain of Argyle, Purse is also one of the most prominent – and instantly recognisable – people within the city of Plymouth. He said: “Last season, I was just another player who came down to help the cause. “But it’s nice the amount of Argyle fans who have come up to me and called me ‘skip’. I do enjoy that side of it. I’m pleased the gaffer put that responsibility on my shoulders. “I think he said he did have other options, but he likes a centre-half to be captain and I’m glad I fit the bill.” Purse made 24 appearances for Argyle last season – all of them starts – after signing from Millwall. But he sat out the final League Two fixture, a 2-1 defeat by Cheltenham Town at Home Park, because of a toe operation. It is a problem he has had to contend with over recent years, and it seems as though he will have to continue to do so. But Purse insisted it did not have any impact on his performances on the pitch. He said: “It’s a wear and tear injury. I have had it for four or five years now, and had two operations on it, both during the summer, so it has never stopped me from playing games. “If I need to during the season I can always have an injection in it and that usually numbs it for a month or two. “I had the operation in the summer to see if it could relieve some of the pain I get with it, but it doesn’t affect me in games and I didn’t miss any training with it last season. “It’s just a little bit of pain I have to put up with. “The operation was a success to a certain degree. I have got a lot more movement in it than I did at the end of last season, but I have still got that nagging pain there. “I will probably have to have an injection over the next month or two, but that’s part of getting to 35 years of age and still playing football.” Playing football clearly remains a passion for Purse, who has played a total of 601 games for nine different clubs in his successful career. Even the physical demands of preseason training over the past month have not diminished that. He said: “I have loved every minute of it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be playing. It’s as simple as that. “I still love getting up every morning and going training. “I’m not one of those players who likes to sit out (sessions). I like to do as much as I can and I feel that benefits me throughout the season. “There are going to be times when you are playing two games a week that you do need a little bit of a rest as well. “But I love being on the training pitch and as long as I enjoy doing that then I will carry on playing.” Purse started his football career at east London club Leyton Orient,

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making his first-team debut for them at the age of 17. E i g h t e e n y e a r s ’ l a t e r, h e i s enthusiastic about the start of another season, and Argyle’s prospects for success after their troubles over recent times. Purse said: “I’m more excited about this season than most. We have got a squad of players who I think can challenge. “We need to get off to a good start and get some confidence behind us, which is something probably lacking at the beginning of the last couple of seasons. “It’s amazing what winning the first couple of games, or picking up a couple of good results, can do for your season. “If we can get off to a good start, who knows where it might take us. “If we can carry on the form we had from the second half of last season, and add a few goals to it, we could go close.” That would be a considerable improvement on 2011/12, when Argyle finished 21st, only two points clear of the relegation zone. Purse said: “Some people are saying that it’s a season where they would like to finish in mid-table. “I don’t want to finish in mid-table. I want to get promoted. “I haven’t got that long left playing, and the reason I came down here in November was that I really fancied us to stay up last season and I fancy us to get promoted this year. “We are still building from what has gone on at the club over the last couple of years, but I want to get promoted. “It’s something that, hopefully, will drive us on throughout this season.” He continued: “Who wants mid-table mediocrity? If you want to be mediocre, then go and play on a Sunday morning with your mates. “It’s about playing each game to win, and if we can win a majority of our games then we will go close to getting promoted. “We have got a youngish squad at the moment – and it’s a small one as well – so you do need that little bit of luck with injuries. “The club deserves it because of what it has been through over the last couple of years. “The fans and the people who work at Home Park deserve a good run at success and, hopefully, this season will bring that.” With Purse and Blanchard forming a formidable pairing at centre-back after both arriving at Home park in November, Argyle’s defensive record improved dramatically. The Pilgrims conceded only 10 goals in 16 games, which included seven clean sheets, before Purse was ruled out of the season-ending defeat by Cheltenham. Purse is not taking it for granted that Argyle will achieve a similarly impressive record this term. He said: “No two seasons are the same – no two games are the same. “The reason we did so well last season was because we put the work in on the training pitch, and we will do the same this year. “You do need that little bit of luck. Luck is a big part of football, but I think the harder you work on the training

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pitch and in games the more luck you will get. “That’s the philosophy that’s starting to run through the football club now. “We won’t stop working as hard as we did last season. We are probably working even harder now and, hopefully, we will have the same success.” This time last year, Argyle were mired in administration, with the players and staff not getting paid their wages. But Purse believes considerable strides have been made since he first stepped into Home Park. He said: “In the nine months I have been at the club, it has moved on massively. “The owner (James Brent) has come in and he’s a breath of fresh air with the way he has rejuvenated the club. “Look at the season tickets. He’s trying to make the club a bit more professional with the way he has marketed them. “You look around Home Park at the minute and there is a new lick of paint everywhere because everybody wants that feel-good factor around the place.” The improvements even extend to new wooden dug-outs, which have been provided by Argyle’s shirt sponsors Bond Timber. Purse said: “They look amazing. There is not one single football club in the country that will have dug-outs like ours. “Everything around the football club is looking good. There are new nets and the pitch has been re-laid.” According to Purse, the feel-good factor at Home Park is mirrored by an excellent team spirit within the changing room. He said: “Over the last couple of weeks, we have had 10 lads going to St Mellion to play golf. “I don’t think you would have had that at the beginning of last season, so there’s that camaraderie and everybody gets on. “You have your fall-outs in training but that’s because everybody wants to win. That winning mentality is buzzing through the football club at the moment.” By his own admission, Purse is a good golfer, as are left-back Robbie Williams and midfielder Luke Young. Purse said: “The good thing about it is that it’s not just the older players who go there (to St Mellion). “A lot of the young lads, like Matty Lecointe, Jed Harper-Penman and Ollie Chenoweth are coming and joining in. “There is a good broad spectrum of players, and it just shows that everybody is getting on. “All we need is a night out. I don’t think the gaffer will be too pleased about that, but nights out are always good for team spirit, so we will have to try to sort one of them out soon.” Perhaps there could be celebrations come the end of the season, too.

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HEADS UP: Plymouth Argyle captain and centreback Darren Purse in typically dominant form in pre-season

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■ If you thought new Plymouth Argyle captain Darren Purse was happy to see out a distinguished career quietly at Home Park, think again. Purse tells Herald Sport’s CHRIS ERRINGTON you could not be more wrong

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PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2012/13

NAVY DAYS:The Pilgrims squad for the start of the 2012/13 season are pictured alongside HMS Argyll at HMNB Devonport. Back row, from left, Paul Atkinson (physio), Isaac Vassell, Robbie Williams, Maxime Blanchard, Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Ollie Chenoweth, Matt Lecointe, Durrell Berry, Luke Young, Neil Lunnon (kit man); Middle row: Jamie Lowry, Jamie Richards, Curtis Nelson, Paul Wotton, Ladjie Soukouna, Rhys Griffiths, Darren Purse, Nick Chadwick, Conor Hourihane, Johnny Gorman; Front row: Jordan Copp, Andres Gurrieri, Paris Cowan-Hall, Warren Feeney, Kevin Nancekivell (first team coach), Carl Fletcher (manager), Romain Larrieu (assistant boss), Onismor Bhasera, Joe Lennox, Jared Sims, Jed Harper-Penman. Keep up to date with all the latest news from Home Park during the coming League Two season in The Herald, follow on Twitter @PlymouthSport and online at www.thisisplymouth.co.uk

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Gurrieri is delighted to finally become a fully-fledged Pilgrim ONE YEAR later than he had hoped, Argentine winger Andres Gurrieri is ready to start his first season at Plymouth Argyle.

Gurrieri initially arrived at Home Park last summer, when the Pilgrims were in the midst of a catastrophic financial crisis. He was taken on trial by then Argyle manager Peter Reid and put in some eye-catching pre-season performances. One of those came in the testimonial match for Romain Larrieu against Queens Park Rangers at Home Park. But, with Argyle in administration and the players not being paid their wages, Reid could not offer a contract to Gurrieri. Twelve months later, with the Pi lgr ims ’ money problems behind them, Gurrieri is part of their squad after another pre-season trial. It is testament to his desire to play for Argyle that he returned to the club after the disappointment of the previous summer. Gurrieri told Herald Sport: “Peter (Reid) really liked me but there was a very difficult situation, with the club in administration. “We had been talking about a contract with Peter but, at the end, I couldn’t stay here because of the administration. “I had a chat with Peter and he told me ‘Look, Andres, I really want you but I can’t do anything for you’, so I had to leave. “It was a very difficult moment because I was just thinking about playing for Plymouth. “I had played in three friendly games. I knew the fans, and I knew the stadium, so it was very good for me, and then I had to change things.” Gurrieri found out his fate shortly before the start of the 2011/12 season, which made it hard for him to find alternative employment. He said: “All of the clubs had their players sorted, so that was difficult for me.” It took patience, but eventually Gurrieri signed for Argyle’s League Two rivals Burton Albion in October after a trial period at the Pirelli Stadium. Gurrieri said: “The gaffer (Paul Peschisolido) gave me that opportunity. He was very good with me. “So I had my chance and I did very well in the trial games and then I could play for Burton.” Gurrieri made 14 appearances for the Brewers, and one of his six starts came in a 2-1 defeat by Argyle at Home Park in January. He said: “It was a little bit strange because I had met many of the (Argyle) players before. “I was just trying to think about winning. We lost 2-1, but I had a good game.” Gurrieri fell out at favour at Burton

■ Argentine winger Andres Gurrieri tells Herald Sport’s CHRIS ERRINGTON that he had no hesitation in signing for Argyle at the second attempt after the Pilgrims’ financial meltdown scuppered a move to Home Park last summer DEAL DONE: Andres Gurrieri (left) battles with Birmingham City’s Stephen Carr after signing a oneyear contract with the Pilgrims; (below and bottom) the Argentine winger during his trial spell with Argyle last summer

after Peschisolido was sacked in February and he was released at the end of the season. That led to him returning to Home Park for a trial last month, playing his first game in the 2-1 win away to Weston-super-Mare on July 27. A week later, Gurrieri signed a oneyear contract with the Pilgrims. Gurrieri admitted he had no

hesitation about returning to Argyle for another trial. He had been a team-mate of manager Carl Fletcher and assistant boss Larrieu the previous pre-season, so they already knew a lot about him. Gurrieri thought that had counted in his favour because they knew what he was capable of, both in training and in games. He said: “When my agent told me

there was an opportunity to have a trial in Plymouth I was happy about that. I said ‘yes’ straight away. I really like the club and the fans are great. “I saw what happened last season and I think they want to change that now and play better, and try to go up. I want to be part of that.” Gurrieri admitted the mood at Home Park now compared to this time last year was a lot better, with Argyle on a

much more secure financial footing under the ownership of James Brent. “There is a big difference,” said Gurrieri. “You can feel it among the players and the gaffer (Fletcher), and among the people working for the club, and it’s good. They had a very difficult time but they were able to get through that. Now we all have to try to get Plymouth to the best place possible. The club deserves that.”

The Herald, Monday August 13 2012

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PHYSICAL PRESENCE: Rhys Griffiths (above and right) is looking forward to the rough and tumble of League Two

Fresh surroundings offer new challenge for striker Griffiths

STRIKER Rhys Griffiths sees his move to Plymouth Argyle as a new lease of life at the age of 32, after previously playing all his football in the Welsh Premier League. Griffiths signed a one-year contract for the Pilgrims, on a free transfer from Port Talbot Town, last Monday after impressing manager Carl Fletcher during a short trial period. The 6ft 2in target man has been the top scorer in the WPL for the past seven seasons – the last six with Llanelli and the first one with Port Talbot. After netting 180 goals in 181 league games for Llanelli, he re-signed for Port Talbot in June, only for Fletcher to make his move for him soon afterwards. Griffiths has taken a sabbatical from his work as a firefighter in South Wales to play professional football for the first time. He admitted he was not sure what to expect from League Two, and the clubs Argyle will come up against in the next nine months. He told Herald Sport: “I’m not really a statto, or anything like that, so I don’t know many of the teams or many of the players. I’m sure even fewer will know who I am. “It’s going to be a nice change for me

■ Rhys Griffiths has swapped life as a firefighter playing in the Welsh Premier League for a shot at professional football. He tells Herald Sport’s CHRIS ERRINGTON he is confident he can make a name for himself in the Football League actually because the Welsh Premier League is a bit of a merry-go-round. “I’m used to playing against every player, and they are used to playing against me. “Teams in the Welsh Premier League set up to stop me, and now I’m going to be a bit of an unknown quantity. “And I’m not going to give anybody any more respect than the next guy. “I’m looking forward to learning as I go and what I’m hoping is that it will be a physical league. That’s what I want to play in.” Griffiths is the second all-time top scorer in the WPL so, not surprisingly, he has confidence in his ability to put the ball in the net on a regular basis. But his sheer physical presence in attack could also be a valuable asset for Argyle. Griffiths said: “I don’t want to tempt fate, but my record shows I score goals. “Personally, all I want to take care of is getting hold of the ball, winning my headers and working hard.

“If I do those three things I always believe the goals will come. I never chase goals. I just try to put in a decent performance. “I think we have got players who can hold the ball up. No doubt about that. But, obviously, I have got that aerial strength, which I’m hoping I can use consistently.” He continued: “When I first started having success in the Welsh Premier League all I cared about was scoring goals. “But that has changed over the last few years and I genuinely would rather the team do well than me score. I just hope I’m a big part of that.” After waiting all this time for his chance to play professional football, and temporarily putting his career as a firefighter on hold, Griffiths is determined to make the most of the opportunity with Argyle. He said: “It is a great story. Anyone who knows me, knows how hard I have worked – not necessarily to get to here, but to be the best I can be.

“I didn’t want to finish my (football) career and think ‘I could have done this, I could have done that’. “Yes, I have made mistakes along the way, but that’s all part of the learning process. I have certainly always given it 100 per cent. “My preparation, and my discipline with training and nutrition and that kind of thing, has always been spot on. “It really is a lesson for anybody who has got aspirations to keep going.” Griffiths first came across Fletcher, a former Wales international, when they attended the same coaching badge course. He said: “I met him a couple of years ago, when he was still playing. He did make a couple of brief inquiries, informally, to me, but nothing came of that and I didn’t really give it a second thought. “Then I met him again a year later, on the next stage of the coaching course, and there was a bit of banter flying around.

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“But, at the end, he said ‘all joking aside, I would be interested in taking you on trial’. “I didn’t hear anything after that, and I had to look after my future so I signed for Port Talbot Town. They are a great football club to play for. “I had been there before so it was a no-brainer for me. I couldn’t not sign for them on an informal word. “But a couple of weeks later, just as I was getting into the swing of things there, that trial opportunity came along. “I wouldn’t say I set the world alight, but I did okay. There is plenty more to come.” He added: “One thing people will always get from me is 100 per cent. I will leave everything on the pitch, every game. Hopefully, it will be good enough. We will see what happens.” Griffiths has been impressed with what he has seen so far at Argyle. He said: “The stadium is fantastic and we have got some talented players. I’m getting to know people slowly. “Like I say, I’m not a statto, so I actually thought when I first met Carl that Plymouth were still in the Championship. “I consider them a Championship club. That’s where they need to be and hopefully over the next year, possibly two, I can help them get towards their goal.”

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PAGE 10

Argyle Special

THX-E01-S3

The Herald, Monday August 13 2012

New look to Home Park IT IS not only the Argyle squad which has a fresh look about it at the start of the new season. There has been a lick of paint around Home Park, as well as there being new green and white goal nets, plus stylish wooden dug-outs. The latter, made of cedar, are thought to be unique in the Football League and come courtesy of Argyle’s main club sponsor, WH Bond. Meanwhile, fans’ group Forza Verde1886 are behind a new look to the Devonport End. They have come up with striking murals, featuring Romain Larrieu, Darren Purse, Tommy Tynan and Paul Wotton, which will be on

display as supporters make their way to their seats. Purse told Herald Sport: “You have got Paul Wotton, who has been at the club for more than 10 years and is a legend. “You have got Romain Larrieu, who is another one who has been at the club for more than 10 years, and I have been here for nine months! I feel I shouldn’t be there. “I said that to Chris Webb (Argyle’s club president) and his words were ‘You are going to be the captain to get us promoted to League One, and that’s why you are there’. “I do feel a bit of a fraud but, hopefully, come the end of the season I will have earned my place.”

Sims is hoping for big breakthrough STEPPING UP from the apprentice to professional ranks at a football club can be an understandably daunting prospect.

MAKING AN IMPRESSION: Jared Sims (above) in action for the Pilgrims during preseason and (inset) playing for Argyle against Morecambe in League Two last season

But 18-year-old Plymouth Argyle striker Jared Sims seems to have made a smooth transition on the evidence of his pre-season performances. Perhaps that should come as no surprise, though, as the Truro-born prospect made four first-team appearances last term. Now, after securing a professional contract, Sims wants to continue his progress with the Pilgrims. He told Herald Sport: “I have really enjoyed pre-season. It was a lot harder than what I was used to in the youth team, but I feel I have done alright. “I trained with the first team a lot last year, so I got used to it quite quickly. “There has been a lot more running and weights compared to what we did in the youth team last year.” Sims made his debut for the Pilgrims, aged 17, when he started the Carling Cup first round tie against Millwall at Home Park last August, which ended in a 1-0 defeat. He was regularly involved in the squad for the first three months of the season as Argyle struggled to survive their period in administration. Once James Brent completed a buyout of the club at the end of October, a spate of new signings soon followed. Sims did not play again for Argyle after a 1-1 draw at home to Morecambe at the start of November, but he continued his football education by playing regularly for the under-18s. He ended up getting 11 goals in 17 games for them last term, further enhancing his reputation as ‘one to watch’ at Home Park.

by CHRIS ERRINGTON Chief Football Writer Sims admitted breaking into the first team at such a young age had given him the taste for more. He said: “It was good experience for me because of the situation at the club, so I was lucky in that respect. “Hopefully, I can push on and try to get in and around the first team this season. “It would be nice to play a few games, maybe off the bench. I will see how it goes. “There is more competition for places than there was last season, especially up front. I think there is a lot of depth in the squad now.” Sims can play in a variety of attacking roles, and has even been compared in style to former Argyle and England under-18 striker Ian Stonebridge. He started attending the Pilgrims’ centre of excellence in 2005 before moving up to the apprentice ranks in 2010. Sims said: “I like to play just off the front really, but I think I’m quite versatile. “When I was growing up, I played in centre midfield. But when I came to Plymouth they put me up front, so I can do both.” Sims is one of five, first-year professionals in Argyle’s squad this season. The other four are England under-18 striker Matt Lecointe, wingers Jed Harper-Penman (who is on a threemonth loan to Southern League Premier Division club Bideford) and Isaac Vassell, plus midfielder Jordan Copp. All five are from the South West, and there is a close bond between them having spent so much time together in the youth ranks. Sims said: “It definitely makes it a lot easier, and we can all encourage and push each other.” The talented Cornish teenager was heavily involved for Argyle in pre-season, putting in a particularly impressive display in a 3-1 win at Conference South club Weston-super-Mare. Now the test for him is to try to force his way into the first-team reckoning during the forthcoming League Two campaign.

The Herald, Monday August 13 2012

THX-E01-S3

Argyle Special

More than pride at stake in battle to be Devon’s leading club... THE BATTLE to be Devon’s top professional club will be one of the story-lines to the 2 0 1 2 / 1 3 L e a g u e Tw o campaign.

Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United will all be in the same division for the first time in 11 years. Last season proved to be an eventful one for the Devon trio, and there is sure to be plenty of rivalry between them this term. Exeter were relegated from League One in 2011/12, finishing 23rd out of the 24 teams. Torquay, meanwhile, were beaten by Cheltenham Town in the League Two play-off semi-finals after narrowly missing out on automatic promotion. As for Argyle, they almost dropped out of the Football League for the first time in their 125-year history. They escaped relegation by two points after spending the first three months of 2011/12 in administration. Despite dropping into League Two, Exeter have stuck by manager Paul Tisdale, who has achieved so much success at St James’ Park. Tisdale took them from the Football Conference to League One in successive seasons, and the style of play adopted by his side is widely respected. Following their relegation, there has been a major shake-up to City’s squad, with some of their best players moving on. They have included centre-back pairing Troy Archibald-Henville (Swindon Town) and Richard Duffy (Port Vale), as well as midfield duo James Dunne (Stevenage) and David Noble (Rotherham United). Tisdale has responded to that by adding several experienced players to his squad and Exeter look capable of challenging at the top end of League Two. Striker Jamie Cureton, 36, and 34year-old midfielder Matt Oakley have been snapped up by Tisdale, after the pair were released by Leyton Orient and Leicester City respectively.

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BIG SIGNING: Torquay United’s Billy Bodin on the ball following his £70,000 move from Swindon

■ With Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United all in the same division for the first time in 11 years, Herald Sport’s CHRIS ERRINGTON believes there is sure to be plenty of local rivalry in League Two this season

OAK MADE: Exeter’s summer signing Matt Oakley in pre-season action Both have played in the Premier League earlier in their careers. They also had loan spells with the Grecians last season, so they should have no trouble settling in this season. Also arriving at St James’ Park, and providing considerable experience, have been former Northern Ireland international Tommy Doherty, plus full-backs Kevin Amankwaah and Craig Woodman.

All three were team-mates at Bristol City in the recent past. Doherty, 33, is a particularly interesting signing. He spent last season with Conference clubs Newport County and Bath City. But he was an influential midfielder for Bristol City for many seasons and was capped nine times at senior international level. Exeter ’s other new recruits have included centre-back Pat Baldwin (Southend United) and midfielder Arron Davies (Northampton Town).

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Torquay won many admirers for the quality of their football last season and were unfortunate not to be promoted from League Two. They did the ‘double’ over Argyle, beating them 3-0 at Plainmoor and 21 at Home Park, and the Pilgrims could have no complaints at all about either result after being outplayed on both occasions. Torquay’s success on the pitch did not go un-noticed, however, and arguably their best two players have moved on during the summer. Austrian goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik signed for Peterborough United and talented Irish midfielder Eunan O’Kane completed a move to Bournemouth. Both players were included in the PFA 2011/12 League Two team of the year and commanded six-figure transfer fees for the Gulls, but their presence will be hard to replace. Plymouth-born centre-back Mark Ellis has also switched from Torquay to newly-promoted League One outfit Crewe Alexandra. Olejnik’s replacement between the posts is Michael Poke, who was released by Brighton and Hove Albion at the end of last season. The 26-year-old is a familiar face at Plainmoor, having had three loan spells with the Gulls while contracted to Southampton. Torquay manager Martin Ling has also brought in experienced midfielder Craig Easton. The 33-year-old has previously played under former Pilgrims’ boss Paul Sturrock at Dundee United, S w i n d o n To w n a n d S o u t h e n d United. Easton had a successful trial period with the Gulls at the end of last season after starting 2011/12 with Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Premier League.

Returning to Plainmoor this summer has been striker Billy Bodin, who was signed from Swindon for a transfer fee of around £70,000. The Wales under-21 international had a successful loan spell with the Gulls last term, and Ling was very keen to snap him up on a permanent contract. Ling has also recruited Australian centre-back Aaron Downes (Chesterfield), striker Ryan Jarvis (Walsall) and versatile 21-year-old defender Tom Cruise (Arsenal). Much will depend for Torquay this season on the success – or otherwise – of their summer signings. A top 10 spot, at the very least, should be within their capabilities, and a play-off position cannot be ruled out. As for Argyle, they will have to rely heavily on defensive solidity to achieve success this season, as goalscoring looks likely to be a problem for them. A mid-table finish, with the promise of better to come in 2013/14, would be good progress for the Pilgrims after all their recent trials and tribulations. It is hard to see past either Rotherham United or Fleetwood Town as the League Two title winners this season. Rotherham have moved into a new £17 million, 12,000-seat capacity stadium in the centre of the South Yorkshire town. They have spent the past four years playing at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. Now, with former Crawley Town manager Steve Evans at the helm, they have splashed out on a new squad and automatic promotion will be the minimum expected of them. The same goes for ambitious Fleetwood, whose new recruits include much-travelled target man Jon ‘The Beast’ Parkin, and former Argyle midfielder Damien Johnson. As for the rest of the division, Bristol Rovers, Chesterfield, Oxford United appear capable of mounting an automatic promotion push.

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THX-E01-S3

Argyle Special

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2012/13 FIXTURES AUGUST Tue 14 PORTSMOUTH (H) LC1 Sat 18 ALDERSHOT TOWN (H) Tue 21 Dagenham and Redbridge (A) Sat 25 Oxford United (A)

SEPTEMBER Sat 1 NORTHAMPTON TOWN (H) Sat 8 Torquay United (A) Sat 15 PORT VALE (H) Tue 18 BRISTOL ROVERS (H) Sat 22 Morecambe (A) Sat 29 SOUTHEND UNITED (H)

OCTOBER Tue 2 Wycombe Wanderers (A) Sat 6 AFC WIMBLEDON (H)

Sat 22 Accrington Stanley (A) Wed 26 TORQUAY UNITED (H) Sat 29 WYCOMBE WANDERERS (H)

JANUARY Tue 1 Bristol Rovers (A) Sat 5 Port Vale (A) Sat 12 MORECAMBE (H) Sat 19 Southend United (A) Sat 26 ACCRINGTON STANLEY (H)

FEBRUARY Sat 2 DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE (H) Sat 9 Aldershot Town (A) Sat 16 OXFORD UNITED (H) Sat 23 Northampton Town (A) Tue 26 AFC Wimbledon (A)

Sat 13 Barnet (A)

MARCH

Sat 20 ROCHDALE (H) Tue 23 Cheltenham Town (A) Sat 27 Rotherham United (A)

NOVEMBER

Sat 2 BARNET (H) Sat 9 Gillingham (A) Tue 12 BRADFORD CITY (H) Sat 16 FLEETWOOD TOWN (H)

Tue 6 BURTON ALBION (H)

Sat 23 Chesterfield (A)

Sat 10 GILLINGHAM (H)

Sat 30 EXETER CITY (H)

Sat 17 Fleetwood Town (A) Tue 20 Bradford City (A) Sat 24 CHESTERFIELD (H)

DECEMBER

APRIL Mon 1 York City (A) Sat 6 CHELTENHAM TOWN (H) Sat 13 Burton Albion (A)

Sat 8 YORK CITY (H)

Sat 20 ROTHERHAM UNITED (H)

Sat 15 Exeter City (A)

Sat 27 Rochdale (A)

The Herald, Monday August 13 2012