Plymouth Argyle currently sit top of The Sky Bet League One table with just eight games remaining of the current season, and look on course to win promotion to the second tier for the first time since 2004.
Amassing 80 points so far, Argyle are currently 5 points clear of Ipswich Town in 3rd place.
Nearly two-decades have passed since Plymouths two-nil win against Queens Park Rangers at Home Park sealed their return to back to The Championship after a twelve year absence. Goals from Mickey Evans and David Friio on the 24th of April 2004, fired the club to promotion and they were also crowned as Champions on the same day. Bizarrely this was manger Bobby Williamsons first game in charge at the helm after he replaced Paul Sturrock who had earlier departed for Southampton.
Sturrock, considered by many as one of the clubs most successful managers, could not turn down the opportunity to manage in the top flight and he tendered his resignation at Home Park before Williamson’s appointment. Sturrock had taken the club from the bottom tier of English football and built a squad that is still fondly remembered by The Green Army faithful today.
Argyle finished the season with an impressive 90 points accumulated. They kept 21 clean sheets and also set a club record of 7 consecutive clean sheets on the bounce. Creative Frenchman, David Friio led the scoring charts with 14 goals and club legends Paul Wotton and Mickey Evans also played a key-role in their success. Evans in his second spell at the club after spells at Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Bristol Rovers respectively, became the focal point to their attacking play and his physicality and hold up play allowed players like David Norris and David Friio to flourish.
Defensively solid, current Newport County manager, Graham Coughlan marshalled the defence and was one of many leaders in The Argyle squad. Argyle were a side who could defend and they could mix it physically, as-well as playing an entertaining and effective brand of football. There was a togetherness and a real team spirit amongst the players, which was clearly evident. Argyle were a hard-working team who had players who were prepared to throw their body on the line for the cause.
Other notable players that season included, academy product Luke McCormick, Hasney Aljofree, Lee Hodges and Tony Capaldi. Blair Sturrock, son of boss Paul, was also involved in the first-team squad.
The highest attendance of the season came at home to Queens Park Rangers on that memorable day in April, which saw a crowd of 19,888 witness the club being crowned as league-winners. The supporters at Home Park played a big part in creating a hostile atmosphere for the opposition and like this season, Home Park was a fortress. Usher led the charts with his hit-single, ”Yeah.” and Tony Blair was the countries Prime Minister. It was also the year of the Arsenal Invincibles, who won the Premier League title with 26 wins, 12 draws and 0 defeats.
This time around, its Miley Cyrus leading the charts with ”Flowers.” Arsenal, ironically sit top of the Premier League and Rishi Sunak is the countries leader. Could history be about to repeat itself on the pitch? The Class of 2023, like the class of 2004, are well organised, play some attractive football and most importantly they are winning games.
Since their last stint in the second tier, Plymouth have had some difficult times, including going into administration in 2011. The club has been re-built from the ground upwards, they now appear to have a sustainable and successful model which appears to be reaping its rewards. The Main Stand at Home Park has recently been renovated and is another indicator of the clubs ambition to grow.
The next time the Green-Army step out, will be at Wembley where they face Bolton Wanderers in The EFL Trophy final.
Plymouth fans, what are your memories of this iconic 2003-04 season?
