LUKE MCCORMICK

Full Name: Luke Martin McCormick

Born: 15 August 1983

1. Came from: Trainee   Went to: Released

1. First game: 05 May 2001   Last game: 04 May 2008

2. Came from: Oxford United   Went to: Released

2. First game: 03 August 2013   Last game: 02 December 2017

3. Came from: Swindon Town   Went to:

3. First game: 10 November 2020   Last game: 09 May 2021

Appearances: 350 (346/4)   Goals: 0

Born in Coventry, McCormick was a product of Argyle's youth set up, having had earlier youth spells at Coventry, Derby and West Brom. Following an injury to Romain Larrieu, he took over in goal and performed superbly throughout the 2003-04 Division Two title-winning season and was named the club's Young Player of the Year, an award he won again the following year. The two 'keepers shared duties over the next four seasons, with McCormick also having a brief spell on loan at the other Pilgrims, Boston United. However, his contract at Home Park was cancelled in July 2008 after he admitted causing a fatal car crash, for which he was convicted and imprisoned for seven years and four months.

To media furore, he was released from prison in June 2012 and started a trial at Swindon Town, who declined to offer him terms. He began to rebuild his career by signing for Truro City, where he played 11 times, and was then given an opportunity to return to the Football League when injuries left Oxford United short. He made 15 appearances for Oxford, including a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Home Park in February 2013, but was released at the end of that season.

In May 2013 McCormick returned to Argyle, five years after he left, signing a one-year contract. When he re-joined the club, chairman James Brent publicly stated, "Although Luke made a dreadful mistake with unthinkable consequences, he has served his time and is totally remorseful. While I respect others who have alternative views, from a moral standpoint, the board and I think Luke is entitled to rehabilitation." The club also announced that McCormick would donate a 'significant sum' to a local children's charity and donate his time to support it.

After closely vying with Jake Cole during the 2013-14 pre-season, John Sheridan picked McCormick as the goalkeeper for the opening match, and after excellent form, he retained the spot (with Cole selected for cup games) until a fractured finger ended his season in the February. With a week of the season remaining, his importance to the club was recognised by a two-year contract extension and he was made club captain.

Continuing as number one under Sheridan and then Derek Adams, he accepted a further contract extension in June 2016, ahead of his 11th season, in which he climbed into the top 20 of all-time appearances. It was a memorable season: he kept a clean sheet at Liverpool in the FA Cup 3rd round and saved a penalty in the replay, and as captain and ever-present in the league, he led his side back to the third tier, his third promotion with Argyle.

At the end of an injury-hit 2017-18 campaign came the surprise news that he would not be offered a new contract. With loanee Remi Matthews firmly established, he had not played in the second half of the season, but joined his teammates on the pitch after the last home game, receiving a heart-felt ovation.

He quickly found a new club when he signed for Swindon Town in July 2018, where he played 36 times over two seasons. In the summer of 2020 he was offered a further contract at Swindon but chose to accept an approach by Ryan Lowe to return once again to Home Park to compete with highly-rated Academy graduate, Mike Cooper. Although two weeks short of 37, he provided competition but his experience also made him an invaluable mentor for the 20-year-old prospect.

He featured from the subs' bench for the last two games of the 2020-21 season to make his 350th appearance for the club, and in June 2021 signed a new contract as a 'training goalkeeper', with Mike Cooper and new signing Callum Burton taking first-team duties.

In November 2021 he returned to Truro City on an emergency loan, playing a single game ahead of his full retirement, announced in Argyle's retained list in May 2022.

In June 2023, he and another former Pilgrim, Barry Hayles, were part of the England Veterans' side that won the Seniors' World Cup in Thailand.

In November 2023, Luke's son Leo, also a goalkeeper and part of Argyle's academy, was called up to an England under-15 training camp at St George's Park.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, McCormick came out of retirement and registered with city neighbours, Plymouth Parkway, in the Southern League Premier South.