Top of the League

The Pilgrims scored the highest mark of all 92 Premier and Football League clubs in a survey organised by the Football Supporters' Federation to assess fans' away-day experience.

More than 5,300 fans took part in the season-long poll, which asked them to rate all Premier and Football League clubs on such factors as food and drink, safety, transport, and view of the pitch.

The Pilgrims averaged a score of 8.33 out of 10, the highest mark in all four English professional divisions. The only other club to top eight out of ten were Premier League Cardiff City.

In SkyBet League 2, the Pilgrims were well ahead of second-placed Torquay United (7.87), while neighbours Exeter City were bottom of the pile with a mark of 3.83.

An Argyle spokesperson said: "We are very pleased that supporters enjoyed visiting Home Park last season. 

"It is a remarkable endorsement of the hard work of Argyle staff to be voted the best away-day experience by travelling fans when, for a majority of them, it is their longest journey of the season.

"Our match-day operation is part of the reason we have been named SkyBet League 2 Family Club of the Year for the last two seasons, and we will continue to strive to provide the best for all fans of all colours, home and away."

The FSF will use the results of the study to help the football authorities address the issues of falling away attendances. 

FSF chairman Malcolm Clarke said: "Away fans travel in huge numbers in this country compared to many others. They're a driving force behind the noise and spectacle at many games. It simply wouldn't be the same without them. 

"However, in recent seasons there does seem to have been a decrease in travelling supporters."

(marks out of 10)

1 Argyle 8.33

2 Torquay 7.87

3 Rochdale 7.86

4 Chesterfield 7.47

5 Dagenham 7.2

6 Fleetwood 7.1

7 Morecambe 7.06

8 Wycombe 6.93

9 Northampton 6.91

10 Burton Albion 6.69

11 Southend 6.52

12 Accrington Stanley 6.29

13 Portsmouth 6.23

14 AFC Wimbledon 6.09

 15 Scunthorpe 6.09

16 Hartlepool 6

17 Newport 5.83

18 Mansfield 5.77

19 York 5.74

20 Bury 5.6

21 Oxford United 5.52

22 Cheltenham Town 5.34

23 Bristol Rovers 4.6

24 Exeter 3.83

1 Cardiff 8.05

2 Swansea 7.4

3 Hull City 7.34

1 Wigan 7.92 

2 Reading 7.54

3 Blackburn 7.37

1 MK Dons 7.73

2 Preston 7.51

3 Rotherham 7.41