PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

The Plymouth Argyle Supporters Association London Branch (PASALB) was founded on 30 June 1976 and currently has over 500 members, plus 4 honorary members, including former Labour Prime Minister Michael Foot. The first meeting was held in the Ordnance Arms in St. John's Wood following an announcement in the Standard newspaper.

Membership remains fairly constant despite all the problems at Home Park during the last five years. Full membership costs £15 per season, with juniors and OAPs at £7.50; we also have a family membership rate. Members receive a monthly newsletter, pasty News, and a Travel Guide to find their way around the Third Division (again!).

We organise group travel, usually by train, to way matches outside of the Network South East area and to selected home matches. We arrange tickets for major all-ticket matches for our members – bring on Exeter and Torquay. We also arrange an annual weekend trip to Belgium – a Saturday away from the problems of the Argyle! We participate in the APFSCIL football, darts and pool leagues and hold regular golf days during the summer months.

We also have a very occasional cricket team (a bit like England, really!). We try to organise one major social each season which the team attend - this season, we hope this will occur in Peterborough. PASALB remains the largest organised supporters club and we are sponsoring the kit of Wayne O'Sullivan in 1999/2000.

We have also contributed around £8000 over the last 4 years to the Youth Development programme which has been run by a Trust formed by the various supporters clubs since 1996. We see this as crucial to the future of clubs like Argyle and we look forward to the day when we unearth our first million pound star. We hold monthly committee meetings at which all members are welcome.

In the 24 years of our existence, the undoubted highlight was the FA Cup semi final against watford in 1984: so unexpected but a memorable day with 128 members booked on a charter trip filling two carriages. Another highlight was, of course, our first (and only) appearance at Wembley in the third division play-off final in 1996. Tuesday March 2nd 1994 is also a great memory – E*e*er 2 Argyle 3!

As a contrast, we held a Xmas party at a pub in Brentford following the 7-0 drubbing in December 1994 at which Peter Shilton surprised us all by turning up! Our two largest social gatherings have coincided with our 10th and 20th anniversaries: at the most recent many former players attended.

Visit the PASALB website.

For more information please contact our General Secretary John Coker

20 Sturmer Court
Kings Hill
West Malling
Kent
ME19 4ST

Tel: 01732 875465 (H) 020 7215 3371 (W)

Last updated: July 2001