By Ted Sherrell

THERE have been copious bitter experiences for Argyle supporters these past dozen years, but it is doubtful the Green Army, during those often traumatic times, will have known a moment of utter desolation as great as that which came their way early evening on Saturday, May 4 at Home Park.

The irony is the Pilgrims had just won, but never was a victory as joyless. Scunthorpe United has been defeated 3-2 — but a positive result which seemed likely to save the home side from relegation was rendered meaningless when news came through that, against all the odds, Southend United had gained a later winner versus the mighty Sunderland. The trap door had opened and the Greens had dropped through it; League Two fare would be the dirt for the coming 12 months — at the very least.

If ever an outfit ‘snatched calamity from the jaws of triumph’, then it was Argyle this past spring. They had a poor time of it in the first half of the campaign, but the first three months of the year saw them find some decent form and begin to climb the table; at the beginning of April they occupied the dizzy heights of 12th in the league — thus, the top half. Relegation fears had been dispelled surely? Then came April; there is a saying that it is the ‘cruellest month’; for the Pilgrims and their loyal supporters it was brutal. Thirty days which bought five consecutive defeats and the dismissal of the highly-rated manager Derek Adams; early May, as has been stated, bought forth relegation to League Two. A grim period, indeed.

Yet football followers are the most resilient of folk — and the Green Army are no exception. For despite the hideous spring, hopes are buoyant for an autumn and winter of success. Certainly the new chairman, Simon Hallett, has embraced positivity in both talk and action; in terms of the latter, crucially he has invested heavily in the club and the state-of-the-art, desperately-needed new Mayflower Stand, will be ready for use before Christmas.

To control matters on the field, he has recruited Ryan Lowe, who against colossal odds, led Bury to the runners-up spot in League Two last season — thus automatic promotion. In a sense, this was as a great an accomplishment as was achieved by any manager in all of the EFL; for the impoverished Lancashire club had a very small squad, most of whom, like the manager, were not paid for the latter months of the campaign. Clearly his ability to inspire those around him must be immense.

He has used his charisma to ensure Bury’s best player, Danny Mayor, will be wearing a green shirt this season, along with four others from the Shakers — striker Dom Telford, central defender Will Aimson, wing-back Callum McFadzean and versatile attacker Byron Moore.

On the minus side, of course, is that a number of highly-rated popular players have chosen to leave Home Park — Graham Carey, Ruben Lameiras, Ryan Edwards and David Fox plus Freddie Ladapo to Rotherham United for a sizeable transfer fee. Clearly they will be missed, but one feels, it should be remembered they were an integral part of a team which, ultimately failed. Whether or not Ryan Lowe can build a squad (still a work in progress) to lift the Pilgrims back up come May remains to be seen; assuredly it will not be easy.

It would help, though — massively — if they can have a good start to the campaign; in the past two their early results have been lamentable.

If Argyle can win at Crewe Alexandra on Saturday (3pm) it will be the first time they have won their opening fixture since Adams’ first league game in charge at AFC Wimbledon back in August 2015 — and boost spirits immeasurably ahead of their first home game against Essex side Colchester United next Saturday.