Last Update:
August 6, 2024
The stadium is fully open again after an 18-month refurbishment of the Mayflower Grandstand on one side of the ground. This imposing-looking two-tiered stand originally dates back to 1952, but has been modernised and has been given a new roof. It is slightly odd-looking in terms that it has a larger lower tier, both in width and number of rows, compared to the upper tier and that the roof extends out forwards, but is insufficient to cover the whole lower tier, including the lower-tier wings. It has a row of executive boxes located in between the two tiers. Disappointingly it has several supporting pillars present at the front of the upper tier. However, the stand does look somewhat unique and is certainly very different from the other sides of the stadium, giving Home Park some character. It has a capacity of 5,403.
The other three sides of the ground are pretty uniform looking all being constructed during the 2001/02 season. They are modern and look quite smart, all being of the same height and design. Each of these stands is seated and although covered, 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 corners in between these three stands are also filled with seating so that the ground is enclosed on those sides, making an impressive sight. The teams emerge onto the field of play from one corner of the ground in between the Mayflower Grandstand and Barn Park End.
In keeping with the naval tradition of the area, the teams emerge to the Royal Marines’s tune of Semper Fidelis. Home Park is the most westerly and southerly League Ground in England.
The Club completed an 18-month programme of work to refurbish and expand the facilities of the Grandstand. This has included building new facilities behind the stand and replacing its roof, plus the fitting of seating to the lower terrace. Also to one side of the Stand (towards the Barn Park End), the existing small Chisholm Lounge is to be removed and in that area, new players dressing rooms are to be built. The players will then in the future enter the field of play from that corner of the stadium. The Grandstand is set to partly re-open for matches this December, with it being fully re-opened for the visit of Swindon Town on 1st January 2020. Once completed the capacity of Home Park will rise to 18,600, with Grandstand having a capacity of 5,403.
Away fans are housed on one side of 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 Plymouth fans situated to the right of the away section are separated by an area of netting. Their proximity does lead to a lot of banter, but although Plymouth fans are passionate about their club, it is mostly in a non-intimidatory manner.
The atmosphere is generally good inside the ground and the stewarding is laid back and unobtrusive. The only downside is that the concourse can get a bit cramped, especially if there is a large away support in attendance.
The main entrance at Home Park is outside the Mayflower Grandstand. To the left of the main entrance is the Argyle Superstore where fans can purchase souvenirs and merchandise while to the right is the Green Taverners Supporters Bar.
Home fans can enter via Home Park via the following blocks:
- The Babcock Devenport End – Blocks 1-5
- The Portcullis Legals Lyndhurst Stand – Blocks 6-16
- The Kawasaki Barn Park End – Blocks 17-20
- The Mayflower Grandstand
Away fans can enter the stadium via blocks 21-23 in the Kawasaki Barn Park End.
Plymouth fans who travelled a very long way didn’t have much to cheer until the 3 subs came on to turn this one into a decent away win for them. Morecambe 1-3 Plymouth #pafc #awayfans #soccerspecial pic.twitter.com/FcSUXoPkVt
— Neil Mellor (@NeilMellor33) April 7, 2023
- Brittania – 1 Wolseley Road, PL2 3AA
- Cherry Tree Pub – 291 Ham Road, PL2 3NH
- Hyde Park Social Club – 5 St Gabriel Avenue, PL3 4JQ
- The Royal Naval Arms – 190-192 Saltash Road, PL2 2BD
- The Queens Dock – 57 Charlotte Street, PL2 1RL
- The Three Ferrets – 38 Charlotte Street, PL2 1RJ
- The Ford Inn – 155 Alexandra Road, PL2 1JY
Bacon double cheeseburger at Plymouth Argyle (@Argyle)
💷 £8 pic.twitter.com/MyIH9nG3yu
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) March 18, 2023
Pizza twist at Plymouth Argyle (@argyle)
💷 £3.80 pic.twitter.com/pduiUX68YP
— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) June 10, 2022
Plymouth haven’t always had a home ground. They had to play all their games at their opponent’s grounds at first because they did not have a place of their own. It wasn’t until 1887 they found a home in the Mount Gold area but that only lasted two years. The Pilgrims then relocated to a new home pitch on the edge of the city. The Marsh Mills stadium became Plymouth’s ground for the next decade.
In 1901, the Pilgrims settled at Home Park. It hasn’t been plain sailing though because their stadium was battered by German bombers during World War 2. It was rebuilt after the war though and reopened just in time for the restart of football. Things remained fairly stable at Home Park after that but major construction works were completed in the early 2000s before the Mayflower Stand was rebuilt more recently (in 2018).
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.
Car Parking
There is quite a large car park at the ground, which is free. However, this facility is now shared with a Plymouth City Centre ‘Park & Ride’ scheme, which means on most Saturday afternoons the car park is normally full before 1 pm. Also, it can take some time (up to 30 minutes) to exit after the match has finished. Alternatively, there is another large car park at the nearby Plymouth Life Centre, which is free to use. As you go past Home Park on your left and then the Life Centre, go through a set of traffic lights and at the next traffic light turn left (signposted Life Centre) for the car park. But again this car park fills up quite early especially if there is an event also going on at the Life Centre. Please note that both these car parks are under the control of the local Council and if vehicles are not parked correctly in the marked bays, then you may end up with a £75 parking ticket for your trouble. So please don’t think about parking on a grass verge etc. The Council Parking Wardens are out in force on matchdays, so you have been warned. Alternatively, there is some street parking on roads off Segrave Road (opposite Home Park), or side roads off the main Outland Road (A386), heading away from the city centre towards the A38. There is also the option of renting a private driveway near Home Park via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: PL2 3DQ
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. Alternatively (except for night games) then Andrew Chapman suggests a more picturesque route: ‘Finally I would recommend turning right into Central Park Avenue, at the roundabout just downhill from the station on the A386. Then take the second left into Holdsworth Street, which will lead you up a steep hill into Central Park, where you’ll see the ground as soon as you reach the top of the hill. It is a lot nicer route than following the roads – after all (apart from Aldershot) there are no other league clubs situated in a public park!’ Chris Bennett adds; ‘ It’s a much nicer walk than going up Alma Road and quicker as well’.
Adult: £23-£28
Over 65: £19-£23
U23: £14-£18
U18: £9-£11
U14: £6-£8
U8: £2-£3
Official Programme: £3
Rub Of The Greens Fanzine: £1
Plymouth vs Exeter rivalry: Clashes between Plymouth Argyle and Exeter are anything but peaceful events. Meetings between these sides are called the Devon derby due to both sides being based in the county of Devon and, given there are limited teams in that area, the matches can bring a fair bit of spice to Plymouth’s ground.
Plymouth vs Portsmouth rivalry: Although not as fierce as their rivalry with Exeter, Plymouth consider Portsmouth to be a significant rival; a lot of that is owed to their roots on the coast. Meetings between the two are known as The Dockyard Derby or Battle Of The Ports.
Plymouth vs Bristol Rovers rivalry: These two teams are not neighbours, so this isn’t a derby like most of the rivalries on this list. Despite the 120 miles separating both towns both sets of fans share a genuine dislike for each other; it’s not that clear why though!
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Record Attendance
43,596 v Aston Villa
Division Two, 10th October 1936.
Modern All-Seated Attendance Record
17,511 v Watford
Championship League, 22nd March 2008.
Average Attendance
2023-2024: 16,457 (Championship)
2022-2023: 15,579 (League One)
2021-2022: 13,130 (League One)
2020-2021: 253 (Covid) (League One)
2019-2020: 10,338 (League Two)
Official Web Site:
www.pafc.co.uk
Unofficial Web Sites:
Greens On Screen
Supporters Club – London Branch
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Plymouth Argyle v Colchester United
League Two
Saturday 10th August 2019, 3pm
Andrew Weston (Colchester United)
Plymouth Argyle v Newport County League 2 Saturday 1st February 2020, 3pm Steve Andrews (Doing the 92)
Plymouth Argyle v Crawley Town
League Two
Tuesday 28th January 2020, 8.15pm
Dan Maguire (Crawley Town)
Plymouth Argyle v Reading
League Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 27th August 2019, 7.45pm
Phil (Reading)
Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic
League One
Saturday 6th April 2019, 3pm
Jayne (Charlton Athletic)
Plymouth Argyle v Bristol Rovers
League 1
Saturday 23rd March 2019, 3pm
Yaz Shah (Bristol Rovers)
Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth
League One
Saturday 9th February 2019, 3pm
Steve Burghard (Portsmouth)
Plymouth Argyle v Northampton Town
League One
Tuesday 21st November 2017, 7.45pm
Alex Compton (Northampton Town fan)
Plymouth Argyle v Blackpool
League Division One
Tuesday 12th September 2017, 7.45pm
Gazza (Blackpool fan)
Plymouth Argyle v Scunthorpe United
Football League One
Saturday 26th August 2017, 3pm
Charlie Betts (Scunthorpe United)
Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic
Football League One
Saturday 12th August 2017, 3pm
James Butler (Charlton Athletic fan)
Plymouth Argyle v Newport County
FA Cup Second Round
Saturday 3rd December 2016, 3pm
Rob Dodd (Doing the 92)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Home Park?
With six grounds of the current 92 to complete, the draw for the second round of the F A Cup was very convenient as it gave me a chance to spend a weekend in the West Country. So, this game was the first part of a double-header.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I drove down from Merseyside. It was a long drive of over five hours, but I arrived just after noon and parked in the free car park adjacent to the ground. Home Park is very easy to find and well signposted. Concerns about getting away after the game were unfounded and I was back on the road north within a few minutes.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Having arrived ridiculously early, some stewards recommended that I go to the "Fan's Fest", organized in The Green Taverners' Suite. The entry fee was £2, the beer and food cheap and entertainment provided. I was introduced to the guy who set this up and all profits are ploughed back into the community. From a fan's point of view, the atmosphere was great and Newport fans were in attendance as well. It was a great couple of hours and other clubs might learn from Plymouth's example.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
I sat in The Lyndhurst Stand from where the view is very good, apart from having to look at the Mayflower Stand opposite! It's common knowledge that there will hopefully be a redevelopment of the latter but it seems some years away, which is a great pity. The rest of Home Park is a "wrap-around" and the fourth side (the old Mayflower Stand) needs sorting out, but that is easier said than done! However the potential is there and I hope the Green Army see some progress in the short term.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
For the neutral, it was a disappointing goalless draw. The referee had to make a very important decision fairly early doors and gave Sean Rigg for the visitors a straight red. This changed the game and Newport defended stubbornly for the rest of the game and deserved a replay. Argyle struggled to create any chances against the ten men and the crowd became very subdued. Last season, Argyle were well clear at the top but fell away to eventually lose in the Play-Off Final. Unfortunately, Argyle have come off the rails again and have lost a handy lead at the top so some of the locals are worried. Yet, Plymouth are very well placed at this stage and if the team can start playing with confidence again, they should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problems!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
The pre game experience was, perhaps, more enjoyable than the match itself but no complaints. It's ironic that the winners of the replay will travel to play my lot at Anfield in the third round! Perhaps I should contact Herr Klopp with my thoughts on the teams!
Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth
Football League Two
Saturday 15th October 2016, 3pm
Dan Frostick (Portsmouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Home Park?
After the heartbreak of the play offs and knowing a number of Plymouth fans, I couldn't waste the opportunity to visit Home Park seeing as this was the biggest game of the season so far for both sides.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I picked up my friend Gemma from Fratton Park and departed at 8.15am. We went the coastal route (M27, A31, A35, A30, M5 & A38) arriving at Home Park at 12:45pm after a stop at Bridport. We parked in the car park opposite the Home Park ground, which was free of charge, but was already about 80% full.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We met up with my cousin Lee who travelled down with his wife the day before and went to the nearby Britannia Inn. The pub was heaving with barely room to move and ordering food wasn't an option! We mixed well with the Plymouth fans who were in the pub all friendly and every one had a sing song, much to the unamused management who was trying to tell us to quieten down. But the noise just louder and he left with his tail well and truly between his legs! Walking to the ground there were some outlets selling pasties, but due the heavy rain decided to have something in the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
Plymouth have redeveloped three sides of Home Park to the "modern" all the same height look which is sad seeing the old school stands disappear. The Grandstand has a lot of character to it and dates back to 1935. I hope Plymouth one day can make a new Grandstand that is something different to the rest of the ground, rather than the same look all the way round, perhaps put a two tiered stand there. Speaking to a family of friendly Plymouth fans after the game the club have repurchased Home Park and are looking the raise funds to redevelop the Grandstand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
I had a cheeseburger and drink with came to £6 from a van outside the ground itself. The stewards are very quick to clamp down on anyone who brings beer or alcohol into the ground and were swiftly removed! The game was a big game for both sides and had excellent atmosphere. Plymouth went 1-0 up but Pompey equalised through Kyle Bennett. Second half was one of close chances. Plymouth hit the bar and Gary Roberts was close to putting Pompey ahead, then Danny Rose scored with five minutes to go, but Pompey couldn't hold on for the victory Plymouth scored 2 minutes to go. So a 2-2 draw and an entertaining game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Gemma and myself decided to wait for the traffic to die down before going back to our car. We hung around and saw some of the players and had a chat with Paul Cook. We then departed at 6.15pm and was back on the A38 within five minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A great day out at Plymouth and after the game chatting with the family of Plymouth fans, we both agreed that football won the day and we were both looking forward to the return game later in the season. I would love to go back to Plymouth when they complete their Home Park ground.
Plymouth Argyle v Cambridge United
Football League Two
Saturday 10th September 2016, 3pm
Sam Matthews (Cambridge United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Home Park?
I can't necessarily say I was looking forward to this game as Plymouth is it least six hours journey time away from Cambridge on a coach. However the longest away trip of the season is always a trip to consider, and this year, having put it off the previous two, so I decided to bite the bullet and go for it.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
The supporters coach left Cambridge at 7:15am. Although the journey was rather smooth, words cannot describe just how long the journey down to Devon is from East Anglia (I dread to think about other parts of the UK!) and at times I had actually forgotten that there was going to be a football match at the end of it all. Eventually we arrived at the Home Park ground at roughly 2pm.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As my mates ticket had been sent to the home ticket office, we had to do a full lap of the ground to reach it. As it was a mild day in September everybody was showing team colours, which personally I love, as it gives a real sense of pride to fans of both teams. Argyle fans seemed like a lovely bunch as multiple stopped to have a chat during our venture around the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
Home Park is a stadium which clearly belongs in a league higher than the one that currently befits it. The away section is at one end of the ground and offers unobstructed views of the playing area. As Cambridge only took around 160 fans down to Plymouth, there was plenty of leg room as well, which is what you need after a seven hour journey! Home Park is modern but still had some character left, with the ageing Main Stand occupying one side of the ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc.
The game was disappointing from a Cambridge perspective as although Argyle are already pushing up the League, we never really turned up, which is unacceptable after the long journey. Plymouth took the lead after nine minutes and after a long period of neither team really putting a hold on the game, they made it two after 59 minutes. By this point I was considering the meaning of life, as a long journey home loomed. Despite our goal back after 79 minutes which set up an enticing finish, our fourth loss of the season became a reality.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Coach simply left the ground after only about 15 minutes, due to low amount of people using it! And the long journey back began, eventually getting home by 11pm, what a day!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Although Plymouth is a nice away trip, it's simply too far away for the majority of clubs in the UK, and unless staying over, a miserable trip home is a strong possibility due to Plymouth's strong squad.
Plymouth Argyle v West Bromwich Albion
Pre-Season Friendly
Thursday 28th July 2016, 5.30pm
Kev and Jean Edwards (West Bromwich Albion fans)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Home Park Ground?
Thought we would tie a weekend break away with watching the match.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We were already in Plymouth but used this guide to get directions to the stadium. as some body mentioned earlier you can walk through the park up from the train station to the ground.(please be advised it is very steep until you get on the flat).
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We were in the Barbican area so did a bit of sight seeing and had a drink in a Wetherspoons near there called the 'Gog and Magog.'.Please note this pub is not near the Plymouth ground or railway station.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
Home Park is quite impressive apart from the Main Stand which looks like it maybe getting a bit of a face lift. All the pastry type food is supplied by Ginsters so no problems there.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Plenty of youthful shouts of 'Green Army' from the home sections as it was a 'kids for a quid' game. The game itself was mostly forgeable. I think each team only had maybe one shot each on target, in the bright sunshine. It was no surprise that the game ended goalless.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem just a quick right and your heading back through the park towards the railway station and city centre.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great support from the locals and plenty of good bars to head back to in town..
Plymouth Argyle v Stevenage
Football League Two
Saturday 16th January 2016, 3pm
James Walker (Stevenage fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting the Home Park ground?
Back when the fixtures came out last June, the date I was looking for first was 16th/17th January as this is my birthday weekend. This weekend has also seen me enjoy some very memorable days out watching the football so I was excited. The fact this was a new ground for me and the fact Plymouth have never beaten us before gave me more reason for optimism.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I took the supporters coach for the game with my friends and a 9am departure saw us get off the coach at Home Park just after 2pm. We parked right outside the ground so we didn't have to worry about finding it.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
As is the protocol for my away days, it was straight to the club shop for a badge (£3.50) and a programme (£3) as well as a chat with some locals, followed by a long walk round the whole ground to the away end. All the locals I spoke to were very friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
The parts of the stadium you can see on the TV is a very nice green bowl, but is a lot smaller than it seems. However the one stand you can't see is the very old-style Grandstand, and is almost like a three tiered stand. Supporters were sitting at the top of the stand and at the bottom was a bit open terrace that was just being used for flags and some advertising goals. In the middle of these is a small stand that I'm guessing holds the VIPs and the fans with more money than sense, although I could be completely wrong with that.
View From The Away End
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The first half for us was a disaster as we couldn't defend or close Plymouth down to save our lives. The only question was how we had managed to keep them to just 3 goals. The second half was a lot better for us though as we gave Plymouth more of a contest and scored within 5 minutes of the restart to halve the deficit, but desire more chances that was the end of the scoring. The pies (£3.60) here were good and went down a treat after the long journey. I tried the sausage rolls (£3.00) and they were equally as good as the pies. The stewards were an absolute pleasure to talk to. They all seemed very friendly and helpful, although I thought it was absolutely pointless of them to wait until the 85th minute to tell me that I'm not allowed to take photographs of the game in progress.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy. We came out of he away end, walked around to the other end of Home Park and our coach was there waiting for us. A long trip home followed, as we got back to Stevenage for just after 10pm.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Despite being confident pre-match and fearing the worst at half time, we came out of it with a very creditable loss and have proven to ourselves that we can in fact give the league leaders a good scare on their own turf.
Half Time Score: Plymouth Argyle 3-1 Stevenage
Full Time Result: Plymouth Argyle 3-2 Stevenage
Attendance: 9,546 (92 away fans)
My Ground Number: 66 of the 92
Plymouth Argyle v Carlisle United
League Two
Tuesday 18th August 2015, 7.45pm
James Whitfield (Carlisle United fan)
Why were you looking forward to going to Home Park?
As a fan trying to complete the 92, the decision was made to come to this game and tick Plymouth off. This was also the longest trip in the football league in the 2015/2016 season (A 780 mile round trip)
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled on the official club supporters coach, which left Carlisle at 10.30am. Some 8 hours later we arrived at Home Park.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Went to the Britannia pub which was recommended from this site, home fans were very friendly (mostly due to the distance travelled on a Tuesday night).
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Home Park?
Was an interesting looking ground, having three newish built stands, while the old Grandstand is still half seated and half terraced. The away end was one of the best away ends in this League.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game started well with Carlisle dominating the early stages before falling away badly conceding four goals. Carlisle got a consolation goal at the end to make the final score 4-1. Although the facilities were fine for our visit, I can see the concourse getting packed when a big following is in town, but have two of the nicest stewards in the Football League!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We had a Police escort out of the stadium grounds, before getting on to the road north for the long journey home. I could see that it was quite busy getting out of the car park, so it might have been a long wait if we had not been on the official supporters coach. Eventually arrived back in Carlisle at 5.30am.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was an entertaining day out, just a shame about the result after an 8 hour coach journey. It was good for the travelling fans to gett a round of applause from the players before leaving. I would definitely come back to see Carlisle play at Home Park again.
Portsmouth v Plymouth Argyle Football League Two Monday 6th April 2015, 3pm Tom Harris (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Fratton Park?
Dockyard Derby! A visit to the biggest stadium in League Two, so I was really excited for this fixture. I wasn't overly confident that Argyle would win but I was still anticipating a good game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I know someone who lives in Portsmouth, so I stayed with them and walked to Fratton Park.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
The home fans seemed okay, but I had covered up my Argyle shirt as I walked to the ground. Pompey fans at the pubs surrounding the ground seemed alright and I didn't see any bother.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Fratton Park?
Fratton Park is a huge ground for a League Two side. The size of it shows you how out of place Pompey are. They deserve to at least be a Championship side at least. The away end uses an electric system for scanning the tickets as you go in and its quite tight for space behind the stand. Once in the stand, there isn't loads of leg room and the flooring is uneven in places, so I had to watch my step. The view though is amazing.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We lost 2-1 but as a consolation I saw one of the goals of the season from our midfielder Olly Lee. The atmosphere at Fratton Park is unbelievable, the fans constantly singing as well as the bell in the back ground. The noise round the stadium was very loud. Sometimes I hate being an away fan and seeing a home team score because it makes you feel so alone in your part of the ground. Never have I felt this more than at Portsmouth.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It was okay getting out of the ground. There was a bit of shouting between the Argyle and Portsmouth fans but no trouble.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great day out, although I felt that Portsmouth didn't deserve to win really, but that is football. A great stadium though and one I would definitely visit again.
Plymouth Argyle v Southend United
League Two
Saturday, January 11th, 2014, 3pm
John and Stephen Spooner (Southend United fans)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
We had not been to this ground before, plus both teams were in good form having not lost in the last four games, so it would be an interesting contest.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
My son and I travel to games from North Wales as exiled fans so it was about 285 miles each way and over 5 hours along M6, M5, A38, and A386 but easier than many of our away travels as over 200 miles of the journey were on motorways. We used trusted satnav, but could have done without as the ground is clearly signposted. The weather was cold but sunny and roads were free of any delays. We arrived early and parked in the free car park at the ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We ensured a top up of fuel for the long journey home and decided to visit Plymouth Hoe a few miles away after following signs for the town centre and then the Hoe. It was well worth visiting the broad esplanade which has great views of Plymouth Sound and various statues dedicated to Francis Drake and the Air Force. The light house was being used for a wedding service so we were unable to climb for even better views. A Royal Navy gun boat was at anchor in The Sound too. It was bright and sunny so plenty of youngsters using their Christmas bikes and scooters made for a pleasant atmosphere. We took up conversation with a few locals who were happy to discuss football. We then returned to the football ground and had a pre packed picnic in car whilst reading the match programme.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground came into sight on our left as we arrived and appears smaller than it actually is. There is a steel structure to the outside of one stand which at first glance appears to be scaffolding but it may be modern architecture. On entering the ground it is quite impressive in size. The Main Stand is old and has a terrace in front which is out of use giving a somewhat lop-sided appearance as a new stand sweeps continuously from the home end of the pitch down the side and round to the away end covering three sides of the ground with mostly green coloured seating. The view from the away end is superb and seating was comfortable. The Southend fans were confined to a section from the corner flag to the goal which was ample for the 200+ and you could sit in any seat. The pitch looked good considering the floods that had affected so much of the country during December and January, and particularly the Plymouth region.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game was always going to be a tight affair with both teams keen to stay unbeaten. It was 0-0 at half-time and Plymouth took the lead after 65 minutes but within 3 minutes Southend drew level and it stayed that way with few clear shots on goal. Home Park provides for a good atmosphere and both sets of fans could be heard cheering their sides on. I found the stewards helpful and friendly, although they did take exception to a youngster verbally teasing the Plymouth goalkeeper. They marched him out of the stand but within 10 minutes he was allowed to resume his seat. The food on offer was varied and not too expensive and I can vouch for the pasties at £2.60 which were delicious. The match program of 60+ pages cost £3 and was okay. The food area was interesting as Plymouth had A4 sheets of paper thanking us for making the long journey and showing how many miles from Roots Hall our fans had travelled. Another feature not seen before by me was small ice cream cartons with the Southend United logo. They cost £2 and apparently they do this for all clubs visiting Home Park. They are a little expensive, but a welcome innovation. The sunny weather at the start of the game justified an ice cream but by half-time with the sun behind the stands, the pasty was more welcome.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The only delay in getting away was from the car park, which was a mad scramble for the one exit, no stewards to direct traffic. Plenty of horn blasting and 2 cars did manage to collide which added to the congestion but after 10 to 15 minutes we exited via traffic lights on to the main road and away for our long journey northwards. The roads were clear, well signposted to the Motorways.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The result usually determines our thoughts so a hard earned draw was satisfactory, but the glorious sunny weather despite being cold and the visit to Plymouth Hoe ensured a memorable day. Plymouth is a long way from most clubs, I guess, and work commitments prevented an overnight stay, but Plymouth is well worth visiting.
Attendance: 7,088 (249 away fans)
Plymouth Argyle v Rotherham United
League Two
Saturday, April 20th, 2013, 3pm
Tim Sansom (Neutral fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Whilst living in the South West of England, I have wanted to visit all of the football grounds in the region, and a trip to Home Park and, at the time of writing, the furthest South West outpost in English league football had alluded me for too long. Something had stopped me from making the journey. This club has been in crisis for most of the time that I have been down in the peninsula, and it just had not felt right to visit a club that seemed to need some time to sort its own house in to order before visitors could be invited to any football match.
Plymouth versus Rotherham could be broken down into these simple facts. If Plymouth won, league football could be guaranteed for the Pilgrims for another year. If Rotherham won, then the dream of League One football in this part of Yorkshire was virtually in this town’s grasp. Wanting to drink in a bit of this excitement, which you cannot really get from a Saturday night TV reality show, I took the plunge and went to a game with the hope that big issues could be decided on the strength of ninety minutes of football.
I wanted the tears, and the cheers like you get during those ‘grand slam’ matches on the TV. However, when you are a neutral, you can go to a game without such an irrational regard for the big decisions, the dodgy tackles, the shirt pulling, the stamping, the arm biting, the red cards and the yellow cards. Life would have been totally different if my own team had been playing and I guessed that my irrationality would annoy the Plymouth faithful.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
In these days of satellite navigation and internet, it is not impossible to find most football stadia in the UK, but if you have not done the research, like I did on this Saturday morning, you will find yourself at the bottom of the Saltash Road at a roundabout thinking that you are miles away from getting to this stadium. I arrived at Plymouth Station and took a right along Saltash Road under the railway bridge and to this roundabout in a suburb intriguingly called Pennycomequick. After stopping a bemused student who seemed alarmed at my sudden entry into his life, I carried on across the roundabout up the hill (Alma Road,) past endless Saturday morning buses heading into Plymouth, and obeyed the sign and took my directions across Central Park towards the football ground.
The ground appears from behind the trees and sits slightly embarrassed next to the grand complex of the Plymouth Life Centre. The Life Centre is not a self-help clinic, or therapy practice, but is the home of South West diving and the Centre dominates the skyline. This is where Tom Daley practices the art of stylishly throwing himself off a board for the sake of Olympic medals. There is a fairly large car park near to the Life Centre and some evidence of a Park and Ride facility near to the ground but at the time of writing, traffic was being frustrated by roadworks along the nearby Outland Road. From personal knowledge, Home Park is well signposted from the self-styled Devon Expressway (the A38,) and should not be a struggle to find even for the most directionally challenged fan.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
To tee yourself up for the game, you can have a game of pitch and putt, or have an ice-cream from the park café, but I had a look inside the Plymouth Life Centre to pass the time, because I had never seen an Olympic diving facility before. I was watching children bounce off the diving boards like ping pong balls off a tennis table, splashing into the pool to the cheers of their mothers and fathers. These young divers seemed to have endless energy to crash into the water, bounce out of the plunge pool, and then head back to the diving board without a care in the world. It was captivating to watch. I ate in the small Life Centre café which serves a range of sandwiches, and snacks which include some items that are not especially healthy considering that this centre was encouraging you to do thirty minutes of exercise per day.
There is a large pub beside the crossroads of Outland Road and New North Road, which sells a range of drinks and meals. At around 1pm, there were queues outside the pub with hungry fans from Yorkshire and Devon, waiting for a table, but if pub food is not quite your thing, there is the option of buying things from a small supermarket, and various local pasty firms, who make enterprising pitches with suitable meal deals to fill your stomach, but there is not much else. However, on this particular Saturday, the weather was beautifully sunny and you could sit out in the park to catch some early sunny spring rays and minutes will quickly tick by before you can take in your football.
From what I could see, the home fans were extremely friendly and there was a good cross section of people who had turned up to cheer on their team. It was obvious that I did not know where to find my seat, and the fans were very happy to guide me to the right stand. I had heard some bad reports about the Plymouth faithful but I saw no justification for those rumours on this Saturday afternoon. In fact, for the first time for a while, I saw parallels between the fans of my home town team and Plymouth Argyle followers. I began to wonder what could happen if my beloved club was close to crashing into the conference or close to financial oblivion. Tears would not be the start of my emotions.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
I was sitting right next to the Director’s Box on a wooden seat in, what I believed to be described as, the main Grandstand. There have always been complaints from Premier League supporting fans that Goodison Park cannot shine a candle against some of the more sleek modern stadia. I disagree because I like stadiums with a bit of character and not just a concrete bowl with as much atmosphere as a hypermarket on a Sunday afternoon. However, it has been a while since I have sat on a wooden seat to catch the action, and there seemed to be some talk that the Grandstand will be knocked down during the 2013/2014 season and a new stand will match the other three sides of Home Park which are decked out in emerald green seats, but the overall design is standard fare for most league grounds in the county but had a very smart experience on this sunny Saturday afternoon.
After beginning to realise that this match was more than just down to cheers and tears, I began to feel more attached to the home fans as the pre-match music blared out of the understated PA system. With a man in a grey suit by the two dugouts announcing the teams from a lecturn, I decided that I did not want relegation to be imposed on this group of fans. Relegation from the Conference was something that would take Plymouth Argyle Football Club into an unknown area. The announcer urged people not to run onto the pitch at the end of the game because the club would get a fine that they could ill afford. What would relegation to the conference do to this fine club as well as the lives of these devout fans?
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
I enjoyed the game, because with so much at stake for both clubs, chances had to be made and the forty five minutes of each half shot by. The atmosphere was fervent on both sides and when Rotherham scored, the Yorkshire fans went delirious. One young fan got particularly excited, ran onto the pitch, and was invited to spend the rest of the game away from the ground. The home fans became more and more anxious about other results around the country, as the minutes ticked by to the final whistle.
When you are at home, in the comfort of your sofa, watching those pictures of anxious fans peering at the watches or trying to catch some words of comfort from their crackling radios, is a comforting cliché. It is a nice contrast between the cold corporate face of modern day football, and the passionate fans of days gone by. When you are sitting amongst the anxious faithful, the clichés become nothing more than pointless vacuous statements. I like to think that I am a football fan and I would be distraught if my home town team was teetering on the brink of relegation out of the football league.
When I looked around the Grandstand, and saw the faces of those fans who were steeped in Argyle’s history and heritage, and had dedicated too many Saturday afternoons, which they could dare to remember, to their beloved Pilgrims, and were now watching their hopes disappear down the league plughole, I began to earnestly feel for them. Relegation is not a cliché and could really hit Plymouth in a way that Home Park has never quite seen in the past.
With talk about the Grandstand being replaced in the 2013-2014 it is probable that you will not come into contact with the toilets that have a certain character about them. Only one of the fast food bars was in operation within the Grandstand selling usual football ground food and drink at a usual football ground price. Cheery programme sellers were flogging the match day brochure and you can buy a raffle draw ticket too, and you do feel that you need to buy something from one of the operatives for the sake of the club’s financial future.
6. Getting Away From The Ground:
After Rotherham had scored, the atmosphere abruptly changed. The club had been asking their fans to maintain order in readiness for the player of the season awards and the lap of honour that would celebrate the final home game of the season. I am not too sure that there was much need to worry, but I felt that it would not be right for a fan of another club to intrude on another club’s end of season celebrations, especially in these particular circumstances that had greeted me that Saturday afternoon.
I left at the final whistle and made my way across the park towards the railway station. The park gives you a fantastic panoramic view of the railway station and most probably your train that is waiting for you to return north. It is about a fifteen minute walk towards the railway station and the city centre. After this game, the walk took on the mood of a slightly apprehensive route march but is a simple exit. If Plymouth are playing your team, who are a known rival for the Pilgrims, it is possible that you will be taken a different way back towards the city or your transport home.
7. Overall Comments on the Day Out:
The train back home was full of Plymouth fans wondering whether if this team scored and that team lost, could Argyle still be playing football in the Football League when the 2013-2014 season begins. Most of the fan decamped from the train at Totnes and Newton Abbot and as I descended along the sea well through Dawlish, along probably the most picturesque stretch of railway line in the UK, I was left to think about a game that had been fun to watch but left me slightly uneasy in the sense that I had spent Saturday afternoon with a group of fans who were supporting a club on the brink. It certainly put the struggle into context, which my home town has faced in the Championship this season.
Despite the problems, it was a pleasant trip to Plymouth. It had been suggested to me that there would be a range of issues associated with a visit to Home Park. None of these issues were thankfully realised and I enjoyed my time with the Argyle fans. Whether you are just going to Home Park because at this present time, it is the furthest South West output of league football in the UK, or your team are actually due to play Argyle, it is an enjoyable place to go. However, it will be interesting to file a match day report on 20th April 2014 because Argyle fans are enjoying the football that they see on a day by day basis.
Plymouth Argyle v Oxford United
League Two
Saturday, February 16th 2013, 3pm
Chris Hayter (Oxford United fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I have seen the Home Park stadium exterior many times, as I have passed when travelling through Plymouth, but I've never been inside. I don't live far from Plymouth and I wanted to see my team play away from home for the first time ever!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled in a car. My mate is a Plymouth fan and regularly goes to the games. There wasn't much traffic on the road and we arrived in Plymouth at 1pm. Finding the ground was easy as it is signposted as you come into Plymouth. The car park at the ground is free however getting out of the car park after the game apparently takes a long time and my friend did not want the hassle so we parked in a multi storey Car park in the city centre.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
I met up with my Uncle and his best friend in a pub called "The Britannia Inn". They had travelled down from Oxford that morning. It is one of the first pubs your see as you come into Plymouth. This pub has door security and ID may be required (I was asked for proof of age and I'm 24)!
This pub is very welcoming to away fans although I did feel intimidated by the sheer number of home fans there. Home fans seemed okay. Waiters were about serving food which looked nice as they were being brought out, and after a quick look at the menu the prices were not bad either.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
Upon walking to the ground, it was hard not to notice scaffolding along one side of the stadium. I think some exterior repair work might be going on. We found the away end after walking half way round the stadium. Upon entering the away end, despite a large number of fellow away supporters there was plenty of seats which were comfortable and not cramped.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game sprang to life after the quarter hour mark when James Constable scored a tap in after good quick passing by us. Plymouth looked nervous throughout and regularly gave the ball away – twice they gave the ball away to our strikers that should of put it away. The game finished 1-0. The atmosphere was electric, we were louder than the home team who were mostly quiet throughout. Stewards seemed okay and there was no trouble. Toilets were in good condition. I can't comment on the pies/pasties as I ate before I came to the ground.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground was easy after a short walk into the City Centre.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I would thoroughly recommend going to Home Park. A nice stadium inside and out. I will definitely go again.
Plymouth Argyle v Southampton
League One
Monday, May 2nd, 2011 3pm
Paul Bartlett (Southampton fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was really looking forward to visiting Plymouth, I have always wanted to visit Home Park, especially in this case as one more win from Saints last two games would seal promotion!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I woke up to a text from my good friend saying he was unwell and unable to take us to the game, so what to do? Well I got the map out and decided to drive, no way I was I going to miss this game. So with my brother with the map and me driving we set off. I have to say the easiest away journey I have ever done. Living in the New Forest, we headed down the A35, A30, and then the M5 and A38. Plus the ground was handily signposted going in to Plymouth! easy! Although the bank holiday traffic was horrendous! Luckily it was all heading the opposite way to us, and best of all there is a large FREE car park at the ground although if you want a space get there early we arrived at 1.15pm and there were few spaces were left!
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Me and brother took food with us, as food inside grounds is normally expensive. Home fans were okay, apart from a few dirty looks.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground is very pleasant, similar in some ways to St Mary's. Three of the sides are the same size and one of the stand is old but has the character feel. The away concourses were particularly crowded, due to over 2000 Saints fans in attendance.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game went to plan for Saints. Lambert trademark header just before half time, then Dickson scrambled home just after the break, then Lambert penalty sent the Saints fans wild! The atmosphere was electric for the entire game. There were a few scuffles, inside the home ends of the ground, either Plymouth fighting among themselves or Saints fans in home end (the away allocation was sold out). Plymouth did get a late goal to make it 3-1. This ruined my and brothers bet of 3-0! needless to say I now dislike Bolasie!
The win all bit sealed promotion back to the Championship! 3 points ahead of Huddersfield and 18 more on goal difference! Policing was very heavy handed at the end, police dogs on pitch, all lined up in front us.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
We were held outside the ground for about 15 minutes, the Police were escorting some fans to the station, but others slipped down a side path, which is what we did, although we did have a run in with some Plymouth fans verbals. I did see a lot of scuffles when sat back in the car. I can only assume that is not normally like this at Plymouth, they were probably just frustrated at what's happening at their club (threat of liquidation). Had a bit of a wait at the car park to leave which is to be expected, and a little bit of traffic on way out but once on way home no traffic at all! It took us just over 2 hours to get home.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Best day so far as a Saints fan, and not a bad first away day for my brother, Plymouth is definitely worth a visit, nice ground and the fans I would imagine would be more friendly just circumstances on this day. Would go back but might be a while before Saints play there again!
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City
League One
Saturday, December 11th, 2010 3pm
Gary Parker (Exeter City fan)
Due to Exeter's spell in the Conference and the Argyle residing in the Championship we had not met in a league fixture for eight years. So without doubt once the fixtures came out, this was "the one". Especially as Argyle had boasted long and hard when we slipped into the Conference that "We'll never play you again…"
I no longer live in Exeter so it wasn't the short hop down the A38 for me, but generally Home Park is a doddle to get to by train or road. Travelling with a group of us from Bristol, we decided to take the train.
There is no love lost between City & Argyle and after quite a bit of trouble last month when we beat them in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at theirs, then the Police were more than ready for this one. The away end was sold out with over 2,200 Exeter fans in attendance.
We had checked the message boards and been told that The St James Vaults was a safe bet for city fans and was only a 5 min walk from the station. It is a great little pub with a cracking jukebox and a good pool table. The atmosphere was very friendly with no idiots about, plenty of banter and both sets of fans intent of having a laugh without any hostilities. We spent a few quid on the jukebox and a few rounds of killer pool before deciding to get to the ground to avoid any trouble at the last minute. I would recommend this pub to any away fans and much more so than the Britannia (although as an Exeter fan I doubt that I would have been welcome there anyway).
The ground is ok on three sides and was very noisy as it was a local derby, sadly Plymouth have a lot of youths that are intent on getting into the block nearest the away section and enjoyed throwing coins for much of the game, the police did have a big empty section in-between though and this helped. I suspect this is not the case when other teams visit. If they ever find the cash to complete the ground it will vastly improve the feel of the place.
Getting away was a slow slow process, but the police did a very good job in moving away those Plymouth that wanted to stay and get involved and then provided a very efficient escort through the park to the train station, although it was gone 6pm by the time we got there. The Police had a heavy presence on the train until it had arrived in Exeter.
We lost 2-0 and sadly although 2,200 fans turned up the team didn�t. I am no fan of Plymouth and as an Exeter fan wont ever feel able to wear colours down there, but overall we had a good day out apart from the 90 minutes of football and for fans of other teams I suspect you will have a good day out too.
Plymouth Argyle v Middlesbrough
Championship League
Monday, April 5th, 2010 3pm
Joel Eccles (Middlesbrough fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to it simply because of the the sheer distance between the two clubs! With Plymouth fighting relegation and us fighting for a play off place it seemed like a real do or die match for both clubs and the chance to be in the Middlesbrough Matchday Programme for the next home game it was a risk worth taking!
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Going via coach obviously the journey was extremely long (313.27 miles to be exact!!) and the coach parked in the car park right next to the ground (which I think is open to the public).
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
They was a fair located next to the stadium (whether that's on in winter months is a different matter!) which I had a look round. The home supporters where friendly enough and didn't see any cause of trouble anywhere which is a good sign.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
The ground itself is really impressive with 3 new stands being built in recent years with them looking very much like Keepmoat (but with green seats!) Only the the old "grandstand" stops it from becoming a another boring new stadium.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The game itself was pretty poor. With Plymouth fighting relegation and us fighting for a play off place I was expecting a lot commitment from both teams however both just seemed to think they was nothing to play for. Despite the game we won 2-0 thanks to a Mcmanus header and a Franks volley in the 90th minute which sent the visiting fans very happy indeed.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting out of the ground was pretty easy due to the location of the car park (and the poor attendance it has to be said) then it was the long daunting trip back to the north east
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall it was a good day out despite the long trip there and back helped by the fact we won. if we were ever to meet again the the league or a cup tie I would certainly consider it again. well worth a visit 8/10