THE DAILY DIARY

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Greens on Screen's Daily Diary is a compilation of Argyle news, with help from these and other Argyle-related sites.

Plymouth Argyle FC

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Also included on the three most recent days, facts from Argyle's history.

Friday 31st May 2024

Defender, Brendan Galloway, has signed a new deal keeping him at Argyle til 2026. The Zimbabwean joined the Pilgrims in 2021, having previously played for Milton Keynes Dons, Everton, Sunderland, WBA and Luton. Despite injury spells reducing the number of his appearances, his initial contract was twice extended.

Brendan said: "This is a place that I've called home for the past few years, and I love every single thing about the club: the players, the staff, the fans, the togetherness. It was important for me to stay here.

"The fans are incredible; the best fans that I've ever experienced. It's a club on the rise and I just want to be a part of the journey."

He added that the arrival of Wayne Rooney as Argyle's head coach rubber-stamped his decision.

"He was a great player, a great coach - he's a serial winner.

"Working with someone like that, he'll only bring that winning mentality to us. I think that he'll instil that into us: that hard work, that mentality and that willingness to win.

"I think that we can improve massively under him. We can now reach that next step with him."

29th

Mia Endacott has been named as Argyle Women's Player of the Season, as well as picking up the Young Player of the Season award.

Mia, 16, was promoted to the first team in early September following her promising development through the Argyle Women's player pathway. She went on to appear 17 times for the Greens this season, scoring four goals.

She has also made numerous appearances for the England Under-17s, playing a crucial part in the team's qualifying rounds, as well as being named in the squad for the recent European Women's Championships, in which the Young Lionesses reached the final.

25th

After days of increasing speculation and rumour which appeared to divide the fanbase, Argyle announced the appointment of Wayne Rooney as Head Coach on a three-year contract. The former Manchester United and England striker has had spells of management with Derby County and Birmingham, having been sacked from the latter in early January.

Argyle Chairman, Simon Hallett, said: "Throughout the interview process, Wayne showed himself to be a passionate, intelligent, and knowledgeable candidate with an appetite to prove himself and develop his managerial career.

"He reached out to the Board when we started this process and was attracted by the project at hand and showed a real plan on how to lead the football club forward.

"His ambitions and aims match ours perfectly and we feel he is the perfect candidate to provide the exciting and attacking brand of football that we all like to see and help us achieve the club's mission."

Chief Executive Andrew Parkinson added: "Wayne brings a wealth of football experience to Argyle and a passion to kickstart his managerial career with an ambitious, forward-thinking and well-managed football club.

"As conversations advanced, it was clear there was a natural alignment in our footballing ideals and the best way to take the club forward... and we believe Wayne is the ideal person to help the club on its next five-year journey.

Rooney said: "Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the Chairman and Board for the faith they have shown in me.

"This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.

"I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park. The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it."

First-team coaches Kevin Nancekivell and Simon Ireland, and goalkeeping coach Daryl Flahavan will form part of Rooney's backroom staff, with further additions to be made in due course.

23rd

Argyle have been awarded the inaugural Family Excellence Club of the Season, with the Club being recognised for providing an outstanding experience for families and first-time fans.  

The EFL's report stated Argyle were outstanding across all touchpoints of the scheme and were celebrated  for the quality of the pre-match communication to supporters, family entertainment and the service of match-day fan representatives. These all contributed to ensuring families enjoyed  a positive match day experience. 

EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch  said:  "Plymouth Argyle are a brilliant example of a family-friendly Club and worthy winners of the Family Excellence Club of the Season. From their Fan Zone at Home Park to their fantastic mascot Pilgrim Pete, they are a Club that goes all out to create a positive experience for supporters that keeps them coming back. 

Argyle Chief Executive Andrew Parkinson commented: "This award is testament to the hard work of our teams to provide an incredible match day experience for all home and away supporters who visit Home Park.

"We pride ourselves on being a family friendly football club, providing the next generation with an experience they will savour, and make them want to continue coming back to Argyle matches.

"As a club we will continue to grow our match day experience and I want to personally thank all the staff and volunteers at Argyle who have made this award possible through their hard work and dedication."

21st

Argyle season tickets for 2024-25 have been released for the team's second year in the Championship. Renewals can be made until 20 June, with online renewals available until 7 June. Seats not renewed will be open to the waiting list from 2 July.

Prices for adult renewers are £405 in the Lower Mayflower Grandstand and £505 in the Devonport, Lyndhurst and Upper Grandstand. Age-related and other concessionary and new season ticket prices and conditions are shown on the Club's website: https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/202425-argyle-season-ticket-information

19th

Former Argyle forward, Klaidi Lolos, has been promoted with Crawley Town to League One. Crawley beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 in the League Two play off final at Wembley. Klaidi made 16 appearances in Green between 2019 and 2021, scoring one goal.

14th

Two Argyle legends have taken up roles at rescued Torquay United. Former captain, Paul Wotton, has become the club's manager and former Greens' manager, Neil Warnock will be the Gulls' football advisor.

13th

Former loanee, Finn Azaz's spectacular volley against Watford on New Year's Day has been voted the Argyle goal of the season 2023-24. His first-half equaliser was part of a memorable game that finished 3-3.

The midfielder won an eight-strong poll, beating Bali Mumba's strike against Huddersfield Town in second and his own finish against his current side, Middlesbrough, in third.

After an Argyle corner was headed clear by the Watford defence, Azaz sensationally side-footed the ball into the far corner, on the volley, from 20-yards.

RESULTS:

1. FINN AZAZ v Watford – 45%

2. BALI MUMBA v Huddersfield Town – 16%

3. FINN AZAZ v Middlesbrough – 11%

12th

Argyle Women have been named Premier Division Community Club of the Year at the FA Women's National League awards, held at Wembley Stadium.

They have played a crucial part in the football club's continued community work across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall, in tandem with the Argyle Community Trust. Players and staff have shown support across numerous provisions throughout the season, such as the Green Army 5k Fun Run and the Derriford Hospital Christmas visit.

"Giving back to the community is really important to us as a team," said manager Ryan Perks.

"We've done a lot in the community this year, whether that is attending roadshows, to visiting fans in difficult circumstances who can't attend matches but support the team for afar.

"We're a family club and we pride ourselves on giving back to the community whenever we can. To be recognised by the league for the work we do to help and support our fans is incredible."

10th

Argyle have announced the retained list for next season.

Under contract: Michael Cooper, Bali Mumba, Jordan Houghton, Julio Pleguezuelo, Dan Scarr, Joe Edwards, Ryan Hardie, Morgan Whittaker, Callum Wright, Mustapha Bundu, Lewis Gibson, Tyreik Wright, Adam Randell, Conor Hazard, Ben Waine, Saxon Earley, Adam Forshaw, Matthew Sorinola, Zak Baker, Freddie Issaka, Caleb Roberts.

Out of contract, offered new contract: Mickel Miller, Brendan Galloway, Will Jenkins Davies.

Out of contract, released: Callum Burton, Jack Endacott, Oscar Halls.

Loan expired: Lino Sousa, Alfie Devine, Darko Gyabi, Ashley Phillips.

Moving from under-18s to first team: Josh Bernard, Jack Matthews.

The loan players have returned to their parent clubs but early discussions are taking place with Spurs for the return of Alfie Devine and Ashley Phillips.

Discussions are also being held with Brendan Galloway and Mickel Miller about new contracts.

Title-winning goalkeeper Callum Burton will be leaving Home Park this summer.

The 27-year-old, who joined Argyle in the summer of 2021, played 32 games during his time as a Pilgrim, including playing a major part in our Sky Bet League One promotion win in 2022-23.

With Michael Cooper injured in the February of that season, Burton stepped in and performed superbly for the remainder of the campaign, starting the final 17 league games as the Greens won the league.

Burton will also be fondly remembered as a penalty-saving hero, who repelled three Cheltenham Town spot-kicks in the semi-final of the EFL Trophy to send Argyle to Wembley.

9th

Morgan Whittaker has been voted the fans' Argyle player of the season. Lewis Gibson was the runner-up, with Adam Randell third. Ashley Phillips has been voted young player of the season.

5th

Director of Football, Neil Dewsnip and First Team Coach, Kevin Nancekivell, were not short of superlatives to describe Argyle's spectacular win against Hull City through skipper Joe Edwards' header, which meant survival in the Championship, despite other teams around them also winning.

"I'm drained," said Dewsnip, "but incredibly proud of everybody at the football club in so many different ways."

"I'm bursting with pride," added Nancekivell. "Everybody involved with the football club brought their A-game to the table: supporters, the players, staff, every member of staff, and that's not just football staff. It was just a day that you hoped would happen - and it did.

"The lads were spot on. They executed the game plan to a T. They ran until they had no more running in their legs, they scored a fantastic goal and defended really well against a good team. The sun was shining, the crowd was singing; everyone's in a really good place."

"Callum Wright comes on the pitch - that wasn't planned – and he creates the goal," said Dewsnip. "He'd have been upset that he wasn't starting, of course, but he comes on and he makes a huge contribution. Joe jumped higher than I've ever seen him jump before. We're really, really proud of all of them, a whole team effort.

"I don't think the players have thought about the pressure. We've not talked about that all week, really, but what the pressure would be was obviously to perform and to win - and we've done that.

"A second goal in the first half would have been really nice, and then we've defended for large chunks of the second half. Defending's allowed, you know. It's an art, and today we've done really well.

"Occasionally you need your goalkeeper to step up and make a good save. The save that Michael made in the second half early on went right over the far side. We're delighted for Michael, but all the team, everybody."

"It is massive," said Nancekivell. "We've had an upheaval this season where we've lost managers. It's been changes at Christmas, change again in April, so it's not been straightforward.

"In tough times, you find out who stands with you, who stands up and is strong. The football club stood up in tough times, and we've come through that. It's a massive achievement for lots of reasons.

"People don't see sometimes what goes on behind the scenes and how much effort does go in - and that's not just on the football side.

"I'm pleased for everybody. I'm really pleased for the supporters. We're a Championship football club next season, and we can look forward to that."

Dewsnip added: "If you go back 12 months, we were so proud, as a club, to get over 100 points in League One. This is a different kind of achievement. We don't want to be fighting off relegation every season, that's for sure, but in the circumstances and the context of this season, this achievement is every bit as big to the football club as last year's was. Not better, just immense."

Argyle  Women ended their 2023-24 season with a narrow defeat by Milton Keynes Dons at Coach Road - the visitors winning by the odd goal in three.

The Dons broke the deadlock in the 13th minute from a corner, but Argyle responded just before the half ended through the boot of Ellie Sara.

MK recovered their lead minutes into the second half with a close-range goal following an indirect free-kick. The Greens worked tirelessly to carve out chances on goal  with  substitute Georgie Knott shaving the post and Sara striking the bar but, despite their best  efforts,  Argyle were unable to end the season with one final victory.

Manager, Ryan Perks, was disappointed with the result but reflected positively on the season just gone:

"Overall,  it's  been a good season for us," he said. "This squad is  a  very young  one  and  there's  been a lot of development across the board.  I just said to them in the changing room that we must take what  we've  learnt this season into the next. 

"We've  got some  really important  weeks coming up  now  where we will work to hopefully further improve ourselves, ready for the 2024-25 season.  We're  all excited for  what's  to come. However, for now,  it's  a good chance to recharge and get ready for what will hopefully be another great season at Plymouth Argyle Women."

Experienced Argyle midfielder Jemma Rose has retired from football, having played her final game in green today against MK Dons.

Her exceptional career began with Argyle in the 2007-08 season, when she featured on 16 occasions, scoring once under the side managed by her father, Kevin.

Following spells with Bristol  City's  Academy and Birmingham City she  made the move  to Arsenal,  where she helped the Gunners lift the  Women's  FA Cup in the 2015/16 season. 

Jemma represented England in their Euro 2017 Qualifying campaign, where she came on as a late substitute in a 1-0 victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

After a three-year sabbatical, she returned to Argyle, making 50 appearances and scoring on 11 occasions.

Jemma will now concentrate on her family: she and her partner are to become mums later this year, but she hopes to get into coaching at a later stage.

4th

It was written in the Pilgrim stars. Captain Joe Edwards, a leader in every sense, scored the goal that confirmed Argyle will remain in the Championship next season. The skipper's header, five minutes before half time, ensured a 1-0 victory was enough to avoid the drop in the decider against Hull City. The Pilgrims knew they needed to at least match the result of Birmingham City, who also won 1-0, but this day belonged to the Greens.

Argyle: Cooper, Mumba (Galloway), Scarr, Edwards, Hardie (Waine), Whittaker, Bundu (Wright), Devine (Forshaw), Gibson, Randell, Phillips. Substitutes (not used): Hazard, Houghton, Pleguezuelo, Sorinola, Issaka.

3rd

Four of this season's double-winning Under-18s will progress into the Argyle first-team squad as professionals next season.

Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts, who have already signed pro contracts, will formally make the step up, and will be joined by Jack Matthews and Josh Bernard, who have been offered their first professional deals.

Jack is primarily a central defender but is equally comfortable playing in central midfield. From Newquay, he has been with Argyle since the age of 10 and featured several times for the first team in pre-season 2023/24.

Josh's is an extraordinary story. He was not initially offered a scholarship with Argyle, but came through the Argyle Community Trust's education programme, impressing at each step. The midfielder did not make his Under-18s debut until March 2023, so his rise to being offered his first deal is impressive.

Harley Sneap has been offered an additional year's scholarship, having been injured for most of the current season. Kieran Edworthy and Finley Wilkes, who have each missed part of the season with injury, have been offered short-term extensions.

Argyle's Under-18s capped off an excellent season with a late 2-1 comeback win against Sutton United at Harper's Park. A goal from Tegan Finn brought Argyle level after the Greens fell behind at the beginning of the second half, with the winning goal coming from Cole Fisher with his first goal for the season.

The win was a perfect end to a season which saw Lowry's side crowned champions of both the Youth Alliance League and Merit League One, surely one of the most successful years the club's Under-18s have ever had.

Adam Randell and Lucy Hack have been named as Argyle's Professional Footballers' Association Community Champions for the 2023/24 season.

Adam has been chosen for his support and help in Plymouth and the surrounding areas. Delivering Project 35 assemblies to schools is just one of the many things for which he gives his time to the community from which he comes.

Lucy has shown amazing support and work in the community during the 2023-24 season and has been an important role model to young girls across the city of Plymouth.

The Argyle Women's defender has given up her time and attended multiple events to volunteer and help out with some of the work that has been put on by Argyle and Argyle Community Trust.

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