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Plymouth
Argyle
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Plymouth
Argyle
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| Contents | |
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What's Home Park
Like? |
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| What's Home Park Like? | |
| During
2001 Home Park was transformed, with three sides of
the ground being completely re-built. This included
both ends and one side of the ground. They were
replaced by single tiered, covered all seated stands,
that are of the same design and height. The corners
between these stands were also filled with seating so
that the ground is totally enclosed on those sides,
making an impressive sight. There is a gap between the
roof and the back of these stands, which is filled
with a perspex strip to allow more light to get to the
pitch. The Grandstand at one side of the pitch is the only remnant of the old Home Park. This classic looking stand dates back to 1952, although its appearance makes it look much older. Although it is much older than the other sides, it is still taller than the other stands and is still the focal point at Home Park. It is a two-tiered stand, with an upper tier of seating and a lower tier of terracing, most of which is uncovered by the stand’s roof. This roof is supported by four large pillars that run across the front of upper tier. For a couple of seasons, whilst the Club was in the Championship League, the terrace was filled with temporary seating to comply with League regulations. Although the seating has since been removed this area is unused by spectators on matchdays. There are a couple of modern floodlight pylons situated on either side of the Grandstand. In keeping with the naval tradition of the area the teams emerge to the Marines tune of Semper Fidelis. Home Park is the most westerly and southerly League Ground in England. |
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| Future Ground
Developments |
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Justin Reeves informs me; 'The club have announced plans to redevelop the Grandstand side of the stadium, which will increase the capacity of Home Park to 27,000. The club has entered into a public consultation period and there seems to be a sense that this time it's actually going to happen. Obviously, after numerous similar announcements over the years, some fans are still skeptical but these new plans seem more concrete (pardon the pun) than previous incarnations and will provide a source for non-match day income for the club'. More information and a mock up photo of how the new stand may look can be found on the Plymouth Argyle FC website. |
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| What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters? | |
| Away fans are housed in the Barn Park End, which is all seated and covered. As you would expect from a modern stand the facilities and views of the playing action are both good. The normal allocation for visiting supporters in this area is 1,300 seats, although this can be increased to 2,022, if demand requires it. The atmosphere is normally good and even though I have received a number of reports of the stewarding being somewhat over zealous in the away end, on my last visit it was fine. No problems were encountered outside the ground and on the whole it was a good day out. The only down side was that the concourse was a bit cramped and if there is a good away support then it can get uncomfortably crowded. | |
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Lyndhurst Stand & Barn Park End |
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| Where To Drink? | |
| Probably the best bet is the Britannia which is a sizeable Wetherspoons outlet and around a 10 minute walk away from the ground (from the car park outside the football ground, turn left and the pub is down the road on the right hand corner). For most matches the pub which is busy normally, has a queue of fans waiting to get in outside, but this is controlled by the security staff, so you don't normally have to wait too long to gain entrance. Although away fan friendly, the pub doesn't tolerate away supporters singing their clubs songs and any who do are quickly ejected from the premises, so you have been warned. Near to the pub is normally a van selling pasties, which looked to be doing a roaring trade on my last visit. Opposite the Britannia is the Embassy Club which is best avoided by away fans. Otherwise alcohol is available within the ground. | |
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The Grandstand & Devonport End |
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Since this photo was taken, the temporary seating located in front of the Grandstand has been removed. |
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| How To Get There By Car & Where To Park | |
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Take the M5 to the
South West and at the end of the motorway continue
onto the A38 (The ground is well signposted from the
outskirts of Plymouth on the A38). On entering
Plymouth, turn left onto the A386 (towards
Plymouth). When this road splits into two, keep on
the left hand side (again signposted
Plymouth) and after about a mile you will see the
ground on your left. The ground is well signposted
'Plymouth Argyle Home Park' on the way into
Plymouth. |
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| By Train | |
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Plymouth railway
station is about one and a half miles away, so
either grab a taxi or embark on the 20 minute walk.
As you come out of the station turn right and down
the hill and under the railway bridge. Just keep
walking straight along this road (A386) and you will
eventually reach the ground on your right. |
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| Admission Prices | |
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All areas of the stadium: |
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| Fixtures 2012-2013 | |
| Plymouth Argyle FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website). | |
| Local Rivals | |
| Exeter City & Torquay United. And from a little further a field Bristol City. | |
| Programme & Fanzine | |
| Official
Programme: £3. Rub Of The Greens Fanzine: £1. |
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| Disabled Facilities | |
| For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website. | |
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| Record & Average Attendance | |
| 43,596
v Aston Villa, Division Two, October 10th, 1936. Modern All Seated Attendance Record: 17,511 v Watford, Championship League, March 22nd 2008. Average Attendance: 2010-2011: 8,613 (League One) 2009-2010: 10,316 (Championship League) 2008-2009: 11,427 (Championship League) |
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| Fans Reviews Of Home Park | |
| Tim Sansom (Neutral) 20/4/13 Chris Hayter (Oxford United) 16/2/13 Paul Bartlett (Southampton) 2/5/11 Gary Parker (Exeter City) 11/12/10 Joel Eccles (Middlesbrough) 5/4/10 David Beresford (Doncaster Rovers) 7/11/09 |
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| Hotel Accommodation | |
| If you require hotel
accommodation in the area then first try a hotel
booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all
types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast
establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced
Apartments. Plus their booking system is
straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will
earn a small commission if you book through them, but
it will go to help with the running costs of keeping
the Guide going. The Hotels listing also includes
details of how far away the accommodation is located
from the football ground. Access their Plymouth Hotels and Guest Houses page. Remember that you can use the above link or panel below to book any other hotels that you may need for business or leisure, either in the UK or abroad. |
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| Other Places Of Interest | |
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Considering you will have probably spent hours getting there, I suggest you make a weekend of it in Devon. If you go into the centre of Plymouth, make sure you walk down the front to the 'Hoe' (where Drake was playing bowls when he heard about the arrival of the Spanish Armada). The views of Plymouth Sound from here are superb. Andrew Chapman adds; 'As well as the Hoe, I would recommend the historic Barbican, which includes the Mayflower Steps (where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America) and the many lovely old pubs, many of which sell real ale and are listed in the Good Beer Guide, including The Dolphin, The Admiral MacBride, and The Commerical Inn. Also on the Barbican is the National Marine Aquarium which is well worth a visit'. |
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| Map showing the location of Home Park, railway station and listed pub | |
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Instructions for using
the map:
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| Feedback | |
| If
anything is incorrect or you have something to add,
please e-mail duncan@footballgrounds.net
and I'll update the guide. * The ground was originally built in 1893, the Club took it over in 1901. |
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