League Approval

The Pilgrims play AFC Wimbledon in the Sky Bet League 2 Play-Off Final on Monday with promotion to League 1 hanging on the result.

 

It seems a long way from five seasons ago, when the club was in administration and in danger of going out of, not only the League, but also out of business altogether. The turnaround started when James Brent took over ownership of Argyle and a Company Voluntary Arrangement to pay back debts was put in place.

 

Football League Chairman Greg Clarke said: "When the League Board considered whether to permit Plymouth Argyle to continue as a member of the League back in 2011, it's probably safe to say that we were as close to preventing a club from carrying on as we've ever been in the modern era. 

 

"The two reasons why we didn't are, firstly, because we believe that clubs should be given every reasonable opportunity to continue, as it is in the wider interests of their local community and, secondly, because we believed in James Brent.

 

"As we stated at the time, we took a leap of faith in James because we felt he was somebody of integrity who could turn the club around and restore both its reputation and its fortunes.

 

"The fact the club is now in a position to complete its CVA payments, and is in Monday's Play-Off Final at Wembley show that our trust wasn't misplaced and that we made the right decision. James, his fellow directors, the club's staff and its supporters deserve enormous credit for what has been achieved at Plymouth Argyle in the last five years."