Thursday, 21 Nov 2024

Home Park: Plymouth Argyle

Known to the fans as the Theatre of Greens, Home Park has been the permanent residence of Plymouth Argyle since 1901. Despite suffering heavy bombing during the Second World War, the stadium was rebuilt and has continued to host Football League games since 1945.

Originally a rugby ground for the now-defunct Devonport Albion, Home Park has undergone various transformations over the years. In 1901, Argyle Athletics Club obtained the lease for the land and organized several athletics events. The popularity of trial matches featuring Argyle Football Club led to a decision to focus on football moving forward.

Stats

  • Year Opened: 1893
  • Capacity: 16,388
  • Average Attendance: 15,580
  • Record Attendance: 43,596 (Plymouth vs Aston Villa, 1936)
  • Pitch Size: 105 x 72 (7,560)
  • Nickname: Theatre of Greens
  • Owner: Plymouth City Council
  • Clubs Hosted: Plymouth Argyle
  • First Fixture: Plymouth Argyle vs Northampton Town (05/09/1903)

Plymouth Argyle Stats

  • Year Founded: 1886
  • Nickname: The Pilgrims, Argyle, The Green Army
  • Club Mascot: Pilgrim Pete
  • Rivals: Exeter City, Torquay United, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth
  • Kit: Green & Gold (Home) / White & Green (Away)
  • Training Ground: Harpers Park
  • Shirt Sponsor: Bond Timber
  • Team Owner: Simon Hallett
  • Record Goalscorer: Sammy Black (184)
  • Record Appearances: Kevin Hodges (620)

Home Park Photos

[Insert relevant and high-quality photos of Home Park]

Home Park Seating Plan and Where to Sit

Home Park offers four distinct stands, each providing a unique perspective for Argyle supporters. The Lyndhurst Stand, which runs along the side of the pitch, is predominantly where season ticket holders sit. The Devonport End is known for its vocal supporters, while the Barn Park End is designated for away fans. The Mayflower Grandstand, the oldest part of the stadium, houses long-standing supporters. It’s important to note that the view may be obstructed in certain areas due to supporting pillars.

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Plymouth Argyle Ticket Prices

Plymouth Argyle ticket prices are straightforward, with slight variations depending on the seating area and match category (Silver or Gold). The cost is also impacted by the timing of the ticket purchase and the age of the attendee.

For adults and concessions, the prices are as follows:

  • Adults: Gold – £25-£28 / Silver – £23-£26
  • Concessions: Gold – £21-£23 / Silver – £19-£21

How To Get Plymouth Argyle Tickets

Plymouth Argyle tickets can be purchased online, over the telephone, or in person at the club’s ticket office. Booking online incurs an extra £0.75 per ticket, while booking over the phone or in person incurs an additional £1.50 per ticket. Postal delivery of tickets costs an additional £1.50.

Where to Buy

  • Ticket Compare

Getting To Home Park

Plymouth is located on the South coast, so the proximity of Home Park will depend on your location. Here are some travel options:

  • Train: Plymouth Railway Station is a twenty-minute walk from the ground, with regular trains from London. The journey from Paddington takes approximately three hours.
  • Bus: Buses from Plymouth city centre to Milehouse provide transportation to the stadium if you prefer not to walk.
  • Car: Take the A38 and follow the exit for the A386, following the signs for the stadium. Please ensure safe driving practices.
  • By Air: Exeter Airport, located approximately fifty miles from the ground, is a one to one-and-a-half-hour drive or a two-hour journey by public transport.
  • Taxi: Taxis from the train station to the stadium take less than ten minutes and cost no more than £11.

Parking Near Home Park

A large car park run by the council is available right outside the ground and is free to use on match days. Alternatively, there are reliable park and ride systems in place.

  • See Available Parking Near Home Park
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Useful Resources

  • Parking: Just Park

Home Park Hotels

Plymouth offers a range of bed and breakfasts and hotels typically found in a coastal town. Here are some of our top recommendations:

[List the names of selected hotels]

Pubs and Bars Near Home Park

Seaside towns often boast delightful establishments where you can enjoy a refreshing drink. Here are some of our favorite pubs and bars:

[List the names of selected pubs and bars]

Facilities

The facilities at Home Park are very good and provide everything you would expect from a modern stadium. However, it is worth noting that the concourses are not particularly spacious.

Prices

  • Programme: £3
  • Pie: £4.50
  • Cup of Tea: £2.20
  • Beer: £5.00

Hospitality

Home Park offers hospitality options categorized as Diamond, Platinum, and Gold ‘clubs’, each offering an enhanced matchday experience. These packages, available on a seasonal or match-by-match basis, include features such as a welcome glass of bubbly, a three-course meal, pre and post-match entertainment, padded seats with excellent views, and more. The specific offerings depend on the chosen package.

Private Hire

Plymouth Argyle offers non-match-day hospitality packages for events such as christenings, birthday parties, conferences, product launches, and presentations. The club aims to tailor each event to meet your specific needs, ensuring a unique experience.

Stadium Tours & Museum

Home Park offers special stadium tours usually once or twice a month. Led by knowledgeable club figures, these tours last two hours and cover various areas such as dressing rooms, pitch-side, dugouts, and the media suite. Additionally, the tour includes a £10 voucher for the shop and a cream tea. Season ticket holders receive a £5 discount.

About Plymouth Argyle

Formed as Argyle Football Club in 1893, the club turned professional in 1903 and changed its name to Plymouth Argyle. The nickname ‘The Pilgrims’ stems from a group of religious individuals who left the city for the New World in 1620. The famous Mayflower ship, which carried them, is featured on the club’s crest. Despite winning the most third-tier titles, Plymouth is the largest city in England that has never hosted top-flight football.

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As is common among clubs from a specific region, Plymouth Argyle fiercely rivals other teams from Devon. Exeter City, Torquay United, Bristol City, Bristol Rovers, and Portsmouth have all experienced the passion of Argyle supporters over the years. The match between Plymouth and Portsmouth is known as the ‘Dockyard Derby’ due to both cities’ naval connections.

Home Park History

The current Home Park differs significantly from the original ground that opened in 1893. During the Second World War, the stadium was nearly destroyed by bombing raids aimed at Plymouth harbor. However, it was rebuilt in time for the resumption of football after the war.

The turn of the millennium saw further renovations at Home Park. The Devonport End and Barn Park End were redeveloped and opened in 2001, followed by the rebuilding and reopening of the Lyndhurst Stand in the subsequent year. Temporary seating was added to the Mayflower enclosure in 2007. Although Home Park was considered as a potential stadium for the World Cup in 2018, the bid was unsuccessful. In 2011, Plymouth Argyle entered administration, leading to the council purchasing the ground and leasing it back to the club for £135,000 annually.

Future Developments

In 2011, James Brent purchased the club and announced plans for a complete redevelopment of the Mayflower Grandstand. Planning permission was granted in 2013, with proposed additions including an ice-rink, cinema, and hotel near the stadium. Although these specific plans were later withdrawn, upgrades to seating, the roof, changing rooms, and guest facilities were completed in 2018. In 2023, aesthetic improvements to the area adjacent to the Mayflower Grandstand and the car park began.