Q & A With Argyle Fan

To while away the long summer months with no football at Home Park, we at Plymouth Vital are inviting all Argyle fans to participate in our Question and Answer sessions.

First up is Argyle fan Andy Chapman from Leeds.

Q: How long have you been supporting Argyle?
A: Kind of ‘from birth’, there’s pics of me in green and white at a young age thanks for my Dad but I think the first match was 82-83 season.

Q: What is your all-time favourite Argyle match?
A: Just one? That’s hard! Argyle 6 Preston 4 the first that really was remember forever. Lots of Luggy’s success too – e.g Rochdale (A), Darlo (A), the comeback at Swindon, will live long. The 0-7 reverse at Brentford under Shilton was the worst.

Q: Do you have a favourite Argyle player and manager?
A: That player has to be Tommy Tynan, we’ve never had a striker like him since. What would he be worth now in his prime? Manager? Has to be Luggy! My partner still says the only time she’s seen my look as bad as the day Luggy left for Southampton was the day my Dad died. That makes me feel both terrible and proud at the same time and I know full well Dad would have felt the same. His second spell has clearly been less successful but who could do demonstrably better with our current resources and limitations?

Q: Do you think Argyle will be successful next season and what position do you predict they will finish in?
A: I am hoping mid-table mediocrity but we may struggle if we can’t replace the loanees or sign permanent equivalents. I would settle for 17th or 18th.

Q: Did you renew your season ticket for next season?
A: I am a Green Member or whatever the third tier is called. Haven’t renewed yet and no sign of a reminder letter, neither was there last season, which to me, sums things up at the moment. We seem to have taken our eyes off the ball. But in essence yes, even for the risk of missing out on tickets if we landed another Cup Tie like Arsenal, its worth being a member of some description to put you ahead of band-wagon jumpers and the public!

Q: What are your thoughts on the performance of the team and the manager Paul Sturrock last season?
A: I’m pro-Luggy but I had a huge wobble after and in the lead up to the home defeat by Palace. We’ve sacked managers for less worse runs that he’d had. However, the lack of clear, credible alternative to work within the confines we have was one thing which just keeps coming back.
You can’t escape from the fact that two of the most successful clubs in Britain, Arsenal and Man Utd have really gone for stability and longevity – there’s a lot to be said for that. I think Luggy’s announcement of his illness pre-judged a lot people’s mind sets – be interested to see how he fares in the long term.

Q: Do you think the proposed take-over by Japanese director Yasuaki Kagami will benefit the club?
A: Well it can’t get any worse? We need to finish the ground other than that I have a completely open mind. If they want to put their money into my club, until they do something to show they are incapable or not the right people, I have my open mind.

Q: If Argyle had enough money to complete just one project, what would you like it to be spent on – the South Stand, new players, new training facilities or a proper youth Academy?
A: That’s the million dollar question I think the Japanese should answer. I am sure proper targeted business investment could cover some improvement for all three. In terms of the South Stand we need to finish that. I am a big believer in ‘build it, and they will come’ (even if only in the short term ’til the novelty wears off – we’d certainly get a increase in crowds for a while……)

Q: What are your thoughts on the match-day music played at Home Park?
A: I have no real opinion. Anything which gees the crowd up is good. Just no cheerleaders and don’t muck about with Semper! Chelsea Dagger is rather rousing, though too many clubs were using it at one stage!

Q: Could the club improve on its communication with the fans?
A: Yes, see answer to Q5. I also got cold called the other day, seeing if I was interested in joining The Argyle Foundation, despite already being a member! C’mon, how hard can it be to keep on top of mailing and marketing?

Q: Where do you go first each day to get your Argyle news – the official website, The Herald, The Western Morning News, Pasoti, Plymouth Vital or another media outlet or website?
A: Pretty much all of the above. I have not posted on P@SOTI for years. It’s too opinionated and doom mongery now compared to back in the day. Too many people with hidden agendas and who think they know more about the game than those who carve their living from it. I do think the resurgent RoTG is also now rather good, but then I contribute, so I am a bit biased!

Q: Finally, where do you see Plymouth Argyle Football Club in 5 years time?
A: Not in the Premiership in 5! Too much will need to be done. We’ll either be largely where we are or back in League One. Evidence suggests we’re cyclical in our movement from Tier 2 to Tier 3 and I think we’ve already exceeded our usual average stay! I would love to be wrong though. Maybe our Japanese friends will have a surprise or two up their sleeves.

Thanks to Andy for taking part in our fans’ Q & A session.

If you would like to take part then just answer the same 12 questions published above and send your answers by email to Plymouth@vitalfootball.co.uk