ADAM RANDELL

Full Name: Adam Fletcher Randell

Born: 01 October 2000

Came from: Trainee   Went to: Bristol City

First game: 13 November 2018   Last game: 03 May 2025

Appearances: 173 (124/49)   Goals: 10

Randell, a midfielder from Plymstock School, was recruited at the age of nine while playing for his local team, Hooe Rovers. He attended the development centre at Stoke Damerel before joining Argyle's academy as an under-11 the following year.

Coming through the junior ranks, he impressed in the successful FA Youth Cup run in 2017-18, helping to knock out Manchester City and Burnley. Impressive midfield showings in the Premier League Cup, Central League and Peninsula League followed, including several eye-catching goals.

His first team debut came in November 2018 alongside a number of other academy prospects in a 'dead rubber' EFL Trophy tie at Newport County after Argyle had lost their first two games at the group stage.

After signing his first professional contract in June 2019, new manager Ryan Lowe handed the academy graduate the captain’s armband for three of that summer's pre-season friendlies. Randell made his full League debut in the second month of the new campaign, as a 76th minute substitute in a 2-2 draw at home to Oldham Athletic. At the end of that COVID19-hit season, he was rewarded with another contract, reflecting the potential that Lowe saw in him.

However, it could be argued that the 2020-21 season, away from Home Park, became the making of him. Randell went on loan to Torquay United, in the National League. Starting as a fringe player, occasionally playing wide on the right, he finished it as an integral part of a squad that very nearly regained their EFL status. He was duly named as the Gulls’ Young Player of the Year.

Returning to Home Park for 2021-22, he steadily increased his game time, scoring his first goal for the Greens - a superb free-kick away at Sheffield Wednesday - and became more and more important to the squad.

By 2022-23, he was a regular starter, and played 33 times, starting 29, as Argyle won promotion from Sky Bet League One with a record 101 points under Steven Schumacher. He scored four goals - all away from home - and none more iconic than the first of Argyle’s three as the Pilgrims clinched the title with a 3-1 win at Port Vale on the final day of the season.

He missed just one game in Argyle’s return season in the Championship, again scoring four times, this time including his one and only goal at Home Park, a dramatic late winner against Stoke City. In a turbulent 2024-25, Randell was a standout performer in Argyle’s midfield, showing the reliability, tenacity and passion that was a staple throughout his tenure. The undoubted highlight would have been captaining his hometown club to that memorable 1-0 FA Cup win over Liverpool at Home Park in February 2025, though injury prevented him from leading the club out against Manchester City at the Etihad in the next round.

Following Argyle's relegation from the Championship at the end of the tumultuous 2024-25 season and the departure of Miron Muslic, Argyle had some tough choices to make and wholesale changes were afoot. With Randell keen to continue to play at the higher level and only a year left on his contract, Argyle risked an unhappy player running down his contract and leaving for nothing. So it was with some understandable consternation to the fanbase that he was sold to Bristol City for a reported £500,000 (though the fee was 'undisclosed') as he signed a four-year deal at Ashton Gate. He became the second player to leave following the appointment of Tom Cleverley, as Ryan Hardie was also sold in similar circumstances to Championship new boys Wrexham for a reported £700,000 (though again, another 'undisclosed' fee).