Argyle Fives on festive matches – Festive Fives

Every fan enjoys football over the festive period. The traditional Boxing Day matches always produce a unique atmosphere and quite often a lot of goals.

In the 40s and 50s games would be played back-to-back against the same side. Local games usually get arranged for this time of year and there is a freshness around the New Years Day fixtures.

Goals, Christmas jumpers, thrilling comebacks, huge wins, managerial sackings; they have all taken place over the Christmas period and Charlie Price, Rob McNichol and Kevin Nancekivell talk through their favourites.

Merry Christmas!
Argyle Fives is also available to watch on Argyle TV - enjoy!

Bursting onto the scene

At 14 he was playing at Twickenham for England juniors, at 16 he was making his Argyle debut and at 44 he is still turning out on a Saturday for Plymouth True Blues.

Lee Phillips packed a lot into a relatively short time at Argyle. He was thrust into the limelight as a teenager, becoming the youngest player to play for the club in 1996. A quick and powerful striker, it was clear to see why he was so quick to make an impression.

He had to wait for his first goal, that came two years later, in one of the most famous matches of lower league football. Most people will have heard the story of goalkeeper Jimmy Glass saving Carlisle United in the final minute of the season. But not so many will be able to tell you that it was against Plymouth Argyle and the Pilgrims' scorer that day was 18-year-old Lee Phillips. A good quiz question answer.

After leaving Argyle Lee became a fans’ favourite at both Exeter City and Torquay United and was, unfortunately, a three-time play-off final runner up.

This is the story of Lee Phillips.

“…not a bad ball in…”

Few Argyle players have experienced as much as Mark Patterson did in his four years at Home Park. Having arrived from Derby Country and once again teaming up with Peter Shilton, Pato experienced a playoff semi-final defeat, then relegation to the basement division and a subsequent promotion at Wembley, where he also claimed the assist.

A North East lad, who played out his dream with Newcastle United legends helping him along the way. Bob Stokoe, Pop Robson and Arthur Cox all helped in his development, a development that would go on to produce three Wembley appearances.

A no nonsense, athletic and technically brilliant player, who was one of Argyle greatest full backs, this is the story of Mark Patterson.

“Both ends that is all…”

Kevin Wills will forever go down as a legend of South West football. Maybe more fondly remembered by Truro City supporters for his double, scoring at both ends, in the FA Vase final triumph in 2007. But he also won promotions with both Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle.

Joining the Greens in the late 90s, Willsy made his breakthrough in 1998 as an exciting forward. Despite never quite making it as a regular during his time at Home Park, he was an integral part of Paul Sturrock’s centurions in 2001/02, playing 18 matches mainly away from home, as Argyle clinched promotion.

A promotion with Torquay United two years later followed, and then four more in the White of Truro, he was a lucky omen wherever he went.

This is the story of Kevin Wills.

The next Trevor Francis.

Well, it didn’t quite turn out like that for George Foster, but he certainly has no complaints about his career.

The Plymouth born, football mad kid who grew up watching the sides of the late 1960s got his big chance against the player he was always likened to. Being thrust on to try and deal with one of the best forwards in the country, in a position you’re not accustomed to would probably faze most people, not George, it was a challenge.

He went on to captain Argyle, play almost 250 times before moving to Derby County and then Mansfield Town where he continued to enjoy success.

A hard man, who always got the best out of himself, this is the story of George Foster.

Football, cricket, triathlon – in that order.

What does it take to become one of Wayne Rooney’s most trusted people within football? Well, ask Pete Shuttleworth.

Since their first meeting at Derby, Wayne as a player and Pete as a Performance Analyst, they have pretty much been at each other’s side, wherever they have gone around the world.

Pete’s journey to becoming an Assistant Coach to one of the most recognisable figures in football is far from straightforward. He has trodden the unusual path of schoolteacher, triathlete and county cricketer before finally landing his dream job.

A self-confessed deep-thinker and sport man individual, this is the story of Pete Shuttleworth.

He’s a superstar.

Three time Olympian and rowing gold medallist Greg Searle is somewhat of an inspiration. After winning gold with his brother in 1992, bronze in 1996 and narrowly missing out in 2000, he was not content and 20 years later was back in a boat, at the age of 40, winning another Olympic medal.

From being inspired by his history teacher to being the best in the world and with a couple of marathons and triathlons in between, Greg Searle certainly is a bit of a superstar – oh and he’s an Argyle fan too.

This is the story of Greg Searle.

Argyle Fives on best partnerships.

If Mariner won’t get you, Raffery will. One of the deadliest striking partnerships in Argyle's history and there have been quite a few.

In the latest episode of the Argyle Fives series, Charlie Price, Kevin Nancekivell and Rob McNichol try to narrow down all of the legendary partnerships into a condensed list of five.

Strikers, defenders, midfielder, coaches and even commentary teams. There are so many fond memories uncovered in this particular episode.

Argyle Fives is also available to watch on Argyle TV - enjoy!