Well, what a day that was. At 8:45am Saturday 23rd November, 73 members of our club left Tregorrick Park on 2 coaches for their Full Match Day Experience with Plymouth Argyle and they had a BRILLIANT day out.
With boys from nearly every age group attending along with Parents and Grandparents, we arrived at Home Park at approx 10:00am, where our Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Coaches, Alec and Dave, who made our day very enjoyable, met us.
After having a “Meet and Greet” in the lounge bar, the boys were told a bit on the history of the club and how it has proved itself over the years in various competitions, Alec Brenton the presented Graham Frise with a signed” Argyle” football which is going to be raffled off to raise funds for Tregorrick Park YFC.
Then came the money bit, yes a visit to the “Argyle” Superstore, where of of course all the kids their share of PAFC goodies, after a while a sea of green and white in the form of flags, hats, scarves, balls and the kitchen sink was seen leaving the shop.
We then started the tour of the club, taking in the “Home Team” changing rooms, commentary boxes and the finally out through the players tunnel onto pitch side, where obviously we weren’t allowed to walk on the pitch itself, but some of us did get to touch the “Hallowed Turfs”. After having photos of the boys in “Ollie’s” dug out, we were then blessed with a lovely chant of “SHE FELL OVER” from the boys as they sat in the Devonport Stand, try as we did, the boys just didn’t get the hand of “Green and White Barmy Army”.
After the tour it was time to get back on the coaches and head off to “Stoke Dameral Community College” for our training session with Alec and Dave, and in just 2 minutes the boys were all focused and enjoying a very constructive and energetic session. With ball skills of all abilities being displayed, the boys worked up an healthy appetite which was a good thing a lunch was next.
When everyone was fed and watered it was back to Home Park to take our seats for the day’s fixture between PAFC and Sheffield Wednesday, which unfortunately ended in a 2 - 1 defeat for Argyle, but the boys did chant again, and again, and again.
During half time, 2 boys from our U9 age group, Dillon Frise and Jamie Franks were chosen to go pitch side again for a penalty speed shoot out right in front of the Devonport Stand and 12,145 supporters. I am proud to say that our boys got the 2 highest scores, 33 and 34 respectively. A moment that will keep them talking for years to come, Well done Boys.
Then it was time for us all to leave Home Park and 73 very happy people returned to the coaches for the journey home.
As the trip organiser I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who went on the trip and congratulate all the boys for their impeccable behaviour during our visit.
Graham Frise
Manager Tregorrick Park U9’s