Plymouth Argyle Remain A Work In Progress plymouth

Plymouth Argyle Remain A Work In Progress

By Mark Murphy

With many English and Scottish League titles already won or all-but-won, tight season-finishes have had to be sought elsewhere, such as the bottom of League Two. Wimbledon took only nine years to get back their Football League place but it might only take them two to lose it again. Barnet are attracting worldwide attention because of the bespectacled Dutchman who got them the snookers they needed to climb the table. Accrington, York, Aldershot and Torquay face possible returns to (shameless plug alert) the pages of the Non-League Paper. But Plymouth Argyle’s plight might be the saddest.

Relegation from the Football League isn’t the one-way ticket it once was. All the aforementioned teams have returned. And although a ghastly seven months in administration, ending in October 2011, meant Argyle’s return to football normality was always going to take time, they summoned enough spirit to finish 21st last season. And ex-Argyle ‘consultant’ Peter Ridsdale “believed the team would stay up from the moment I appointed Carl (Fletcher, player/boss last season).” So how could prospects for 2012/13 be anything but bright? OK… rhetorical question. There were, nonetheless, genuine reasons for optimism. Argyle were bought out of administration by prominent local businessman James Brent. What he admitted lacking in football knowledge, he appeared to make up for in business acumen. And he recognised the need to entrust football progress to football people.

This, initially, meant an alarming faith in Ridsdale, who “always believed James was the right person to take the club over,” even while backing Cornish property developer Kevin Heaney’s takeover bid to the point where only his presence as head of football operations kept it within football’s rules. Brent believed it was “absolutely critical” for Ridsdale to chair “football operations” under his regime. “I found him absolutely charming,” Brent told a possibly disbelieving readership of the Plymouth Herald newspaper, whilst admitting that Ridsdale’s assertiveness “doesn’t always go down well with people.” Well, no. But Ridsdale’s reportedly five-figure monthly consultancy fee during administration, while Argyle staff went largely unpaid, went down at least as badly. So when Ridsdale left to become Preston chairman in December 2011, not everyone mourned.

Brent appointed a three-man board, including Peter Jones – “vice-chairman during the club’s glory days of 2001 to 2005” (Herald, 14 January 2012). And he announced plans for what was initially known as the “Green Army Supporters Board”, to the delight of gas enthusiasts everywhere. This board supposedly gave fans “a voice in club affairs and a direct say in the running of the club” but Brent claimed it would merely offer a “constructive challenge” to club directors, with whom power resolutely remained. The Argyle Fans’ Trust, constitutionally-designed to give fans a genuine “voice” in club affairs, were to be just one of a number of supporters groups represented on the supporters board, alongside bodies such as the Cornwall supporters club. They were also offered a “20% stake” in Argyle, for £400,000. This bought no real power and thus was subsequently rejected by Trust directors, after an inconclusive consultation exercise.

But fans remained largely grateful to Brent for “rescuing” Argyle and overseeing their league survival. His promises of boardroom financial sanity struck such a chord that dissent seemed almost churlish. And Brent did not suffer dissent gladly. In March 2012, Private Eye magazine reported on Brent’s spat with Torbay Liberal Democrat MP Adrian Sanders, who gently warned people to be wary of Brent using profits from one Devon business deal to “support a football club.” Brent accused Sanders of “bringing the House of Commons and the Liberal Party (sic) into disrepute” and threatened to sue for defamation. The Eye also reminded readers that when Argyle’s ex-Operations Officer Tony Campbell “reserved his right to contest” Brent’s none-too-generous repayment terms to staff left underpaid by administration, he was told to “sign the letter waiving all rights to the disputed amount or (Brent) will pull out… and the club will go into liquidation.”

Arguably, of course, Brent’s ‘hard-nosed’ business attitude was exactly what Argyle needed after years of boardroom-inflicted financial calamity. And he certainly had support for his hard line with Argyle’s administrators P&A Partnership when their final report to creditors said they were “pursuing a debt from the purchaser.” Brent counter-claimed that P&A “owe the club a significant amount,” which administrator Brendan Guilfoyle suggested was “without merit”, a description most Argyle fans would probably apply to Guilfoyle himself. So Argyle fans maintained a faith in Brent for the new season. Brent punted the hoary old line about unexpectedly becoming a fan (copyright Balram Chainrai at Portsmouth). And he promised that while Argyle would “again incur a loss this season,” it would be “a funded loss” and that “even when you adjust it for inflation” the playing budget would be “much larger than in 2001/2, when we won the league with a record number of points.”

It was “a budget which should work in this division – and should probably work in the next division” (Herald, 12 August). How this loss was to be funded wasn’t specified, although he added that “it’s very dangerous for a club to rely on a benefactor to put money in each year, because one year it will stop.” Brent was clearer on plans for Argyle’s Home Park stadium and its immediate environs in Plymouth’s Central Park. At first glance, they had much to commend them from Argyle’s perspective, with a new grandstand set to be built to increase Home Park’s capacity to 17,500. Unfortunately, Brent’s regime was undermined by something he could not directly control – the team’s results. If there were excuses for Plymouth flirting with relegation last season, none of them applied this. And their FA Cup exit to Conference South Dorchester Town was a bitter blow to pride and finances.

Criticisms of Brent now seemed less churlish. The afore-mentioned “funded” losses were blamed on budgetary errors. Brent admitted that Argyle’s average gate of 6,230 was “disappointing relative to what we’d hoped for” (Herald, 2 November), amid reports that the board had budgeted for 8,000 gates. And even Brent supporters had concerns. “If this is true then James Brent has been badly advised,” wrote one, although Brent’s advisers were largely Brent’s own people. Also, December reports that captain Darren Purse was transfer-listed for financial reasons contradicted Brent’s November claim that Argyle were “in good financial fettle.” The Trust called on Brent to “address fans’ concerns” with a “clear statement of direction.” And while they “(appreciated) that James Brent is funding the shortfall in the club’s finances,” they sought confirmation that this was “by way of gift and has not added to the club’s debt,” as “there is no public information on the state of the club’s finances.”

By then, Argyle’s Supporters Board should have been “constructively challenging.” But the organisation had a “challenging” birth, with the electoral process coming in for severe criticism, from voters and candidates, with one candidate reportedly withdrawing in protest at its flaws – although, perhaps significantly, he still garnered enough support to be elected comfortably, having withdrawn too late to be removed from the ballot. On New Year’s Day, Brent responded to weeks of fan pressure by dismissing Fletcher, having shown a faith in the player/manager which would have been admirable in less-fraught circumstances (Ridsdale’s views… unknown). But not appointing the promised experienced ‘director of football’ to work alongside the (ulp!) 31-year-old Fletcher was a mistake. And the “lesson” Brent took from this was curious: “The problem with football… is that you have very short seasons. Your ability to see people develop is limited by that season.” Pesky… calendar, eh?

By late-February, Argyle were rock bottom of League Two. And the Trust were not happy. Bemoaning a “lack of direction, on & off the pitch” they said: “We demand real leadership from the club’s owner and board. It is totally unacceptable for Argyle to be in such a state of emergency at this stage of the season.” Their statement was an equally-strong rallying cry, timed to precede the late-February game against relegation ‘rivals’ Barnet, calling for fans to “pack out Home Park” and “support the team fanatically for the rest of the season.” Clumsily, however, this was published hours before the previous game, at fellow-strugglers Wimbledon, which allowed director Peter Jones to lambast them for their timing rather than address their pertinent questions about plans for “keeping our club in the Football League.” The statement had the desired effect on the Barnet game; over 8,000 people watched the 2-1 victory which lifted Argyle off the bottom. Meanwhile, the board’s appointment of experienced lower-league manager John Sheridan looked increasingly shrewd.

A good run of March results culminated in victory over Devon rivals Exeter, watched by over 13,000 people. Argyle were now fourth-from-bottom, four points clear of relegation. “It was a very good performance against a very good passing team who have had some very good results away from home,” noted Sheridan. Not-so-very good were national media suggestions that Ken Bates was interested in Argyle. Brent admired Bates’ “good taste” in football clubs but otherwise just got on with publicising his long-awaited redevelopment plans (which Bates might have called “Plymouth Village” and which only cynics would suggest had triggered the old twister’s interest). Much was promised from this development for club and city. The Herald reported that Brent’s purchase of the relevant land would “inject £700,000 into the club’s coffers,” (24 March 2012). Argyle, though, were just part of Brent’s ambitious plans, something which he had never hidden. Not unnaturally, given Brent’s status as Akkeron Hotel Group supremo, the plans included a hotel, as well as an “ice centre of excellence” (i.e. an ice rink) and a multi-screen cinema.

Despite local media attempts to portray a fully-supportive fan-base, there were critics – fans and non-fans alike. Many were up in arms at the scale of retail development proposed for the once-publicly-owned Central Park. Plans to increase Home Park’s capacity beyond 17,500, if stated ambitions of Championship football were realised, did not withstand initial scrutiny – some were dismissed as “prohibitively expensive” by an Akkeron representative. And concerns were raised that Brent’s own companies would benefit from developments on land envisaged for club use. But while the development remains key to whatever Brent’s ambitions are for Argyle, results will be key to his popularity at Argyle. He has made mistakes in his eighteen months as Argyle owner. Yet his (lame ‘Pilgrim’ joke alert) avowed intentions for the club are still good ones. And, at the risk of damning with faint praise, Brent is certainly one of football’s more responsible owners. But in January 2012 he said that while “a balance has to be struck… it is important to do everything to keep Argyle in the league.” If Argyle are relegated after a season of “funded losses” – however they are funded – then Brent has that balance horribly wrong

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Cheers

Its a well written article.

It will be interesting to see if it's picked up on Pasoti and what the reaction is. Other 200% articles have been lauded over there.

Is that really you Greenjock with the first comment?

Please someone put it up at Poonyan, brilliant that outside of Argyle there are people who have picked up our concerns.

Iggy wrote:

Please someone put it up at Poonyan, brilliant that outside of Argyle there are people who have picked up our concerns.

Damon as put it on the farm site

And then compare that article to this one:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Dougie wrote:

Its a well written article.

It will be interesting to see if it's picked up on Pasoti and what the reaction is. Other 200% articles have been lauded over there.

Is that really you Greenjock with the first comment?

In reply to a question about Pete Gordon on Pasoti

Quote :

He doesn't post on here, and I have had to get the police involved again today. Just leave it chaps, suffice to say, the truth will out and the law will deal with it.

Ian

Dougie wrote:

Dougie wrote:

Its a well written article.

It will be interesting to see if it's picked up on Pasoti and what the reaction is. Other 200% articles have been lauded over there.

Is that really you Greenjock with the first comment?

In reply to a question about Pete Gordon on Pasoti

Quote :

He doesn't post on here, and I have had to get the police involved again today. Just leave it chaps, suffice to say, the truth will out and the law will deal with it.

Ian

I REALLY REALLY hope the old bill do get involved, even if it's only a small percentage of what Jock alleges that is accurate.

Gert Loinz wrote:

Dougie wrote:

Dougie wrote:

Its a well written article.

It will be interesting to see if it's picked up on Pasoti and what the reaction is. Other 200% articles have been lauded over there.

Is that really you Greenjock with the first comment?

In reply to a question about Pete Gordon on Pasoti

Quote :

He doesn't post on here, and I have had to get the police involved again today. Just leave it chaps, suffice to say, the truth will out and the law will deal with it.

Ian

I REALLY REALLY hope the old bill do get involved, even if it's only a small percentage of what Jock alleges that is accurate.

The pig is only using these words so his sheep thinks he fighting these allegations, we know he do not want this to go to court

The law are dealing with Greenjock?

I'm sure the law will be also be dealing with the allegation that Newell's son threw a pint over someone then and another of his friends verbally abused the same person?

Snitch. And of course you'd want to include the President in your tweet as well. Who wouldn't?

Quote :

Liam Faulkner‏@quinny2651h

@IJN3 @Chris_Webb1 @chris Hi, are you
aware of comments by Pete Gordon in yesterday's TwoHundredPercent article about
Argyle?


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Ian
Newell‏@IJN327m




@quinny265 @chris_webb1 @chris Yes mate.
Load of rubbish and the law are dealing with him

• 
  

Jock giving full police witness statement and supplying all evidence as we speak.

Not a word from them as usual because he knows police involvement will drop him and his son and friends in the shit.

And maybe Postey, Webb et al will take a leaf out of my book and start threatening women under their own name from now on? Probably not though, they do like their cloaks of invisibility.

Feel free to add anything to my comments on 200%, its not a stooge for the club like Pasoti is.

You're getting a bit of grief over there now

Some people will do anything to prevent the truth coming out.

I wonder who "Dom" is:

Guys

I post on ATD and I’m not happy with everything at Argyle but even I recognise that the comment from Pete is madness.

Countless times you have been told by fellow posters to go to the police but you haven’t. Put up or shut up.

Whilst attacking fellow greens you forget to point out that you have been banned from Argyle previously, have a violent past, costume alcohols whilst minding your child and sit at home on the PC all day whilst your partner goes to work.

Lighten up, get a job and get a life.

Dom

Dominic Franklin you do not post on here! you come across as a multi


ps he isnt paul thomas cbe btw

Who else has used those slurs against Jock in the past I wonder........

Yea Man wrote:

Who else has used those slurs against Jock in the past I wonder........

i dont know but the fact one of them think he is paul thomas is funny

Yea Man wrote:

You're getting a bit of grief over there now

Some people will do anything to prevent the truth coming out.

I wonder who "Dom" is:

Guys

I post on ATD and I’m not happy with everything at Argyle but even I recognise that the comment from Pete is madness.

Countless times you have been told by fellow posters to go to the police but you haven’t. Put up or shut up.

Whilst attacking fellow greens you forget to point out that you have been banned from Argyle previously, have a violent past, costume alcohols whilst minding your child and sit at home on the PC all day whilst your partner goes to work.

Lighten up, get a job and get a life.

Dom

We all know that "Dom" will be a friend of Ian Newell's and has posted a bunch of lies which I have now answered.

Anyone else who thinks that I have neglected my child for one second can also be told that I have not drunk for months and months, and never did unless my partner was here, my partner who gave up work months ago as well, but according to "Dom" works while I piss it up and neglect my son

I think we should give the vast majority of our pasoti cousins the benefit of the doubt, 99% of them will know exactly who is playing what.

wrote:

Oh and why don’t you ask Jon Back, a respected PASB member who works in the Police force, who threatened him by PM on Pasoti and what they insinuated would happen if he kept posting on ATD, while he was a candidate for the PASB.

If that really is true, and I don't doubt Jock atall, then some serious feckin questions need to be asked.

More comments have been added- I don't think 200% will know what's hit them. Quite damning for ijn too.

If any of that is untrue then I imagine Newell will be taking legal action against the authors.

I always believe that Jock and the other commentors must have enough proof to back their comments up should action come from it.

Popcorn time?

Anyone fancy bumping it on the farm?

Yea Man wrote:

wrote:

Oh and why don’t you ask Jon Back, a respected PASB member who works in the Police force, who threatened him by PM on Pasoti and what they insinuated would happen if he kept posting on ATD, while he was a candidate for the PASB.

If that really is true, and I don't doubt Jock atall, then some serious feckin questions need to be asked.

Why don't you ask him? I still have the PM's he sent me about it. Pasoti and the inner sanctum of posters and admin on there will do anything to silence critics of them or James Brent, we all know that.

Peggy Prior, criticises the presidents idea to have Forza Verde thrust upon people who had sat in the Devonport End for years who didn't want the "orchestrated" kids next to them or in their seats, so Chris Webb reccommends that she no longer write for the matchday programme and Hey Presto she's removed from this voluntary role.

The guy who merely speculated on who the next manager after Carl Fletcher might be, on a thread someone else started about next manager? Hey Presto he's told his voluntary services as an Argyle ladies coach are no longer required.

Damon Lenszner starts asking awkward questions once he's on the PASB, which I thought that was the point of it all, and Hey Presto he's no longer a fit and proper person according to the club president, yet according to Chris Webb his friends Hooper and Jameson were involved in spying on a fellow fan but they're fit and proper because they're so pro-Brent it's sickening.

John Petrie the Trust board member starts getting critical and inquisitive about club affairs and Hey Presto his Facebook account is printed off and passed to Peter Jones in a dossier he is keeping on him, and the club decide not to speak to the Trust.

It's rotten to the core and unless you are going to stay silent with any concerns and trust James Brent implicitly, this is the sort of thing that will happen to you.