Purr-fect

WHAT could be better, for an Argyle fan, than seeing a Purrington in the squad?

How about having two of them? Tom Purrington is set to follow in the stud marks of older brother Ben after accepting an apprenticeship offer from the Greens. 

Tom plays the opposite side of defence than his brother Ben, with his prime position being at right-back. Much like Ben, though, he is versatile and can play in midfield with great ability. 

Tom is now the second Under-16 player to have agreed an apprenticeship contract, with Aaron Goulty also signing earlier this month.

Tom has oalready played 12 times for Argyle Under-18s this season, with only one of those appearances coming from the bench. His only goal came in the Devon derby game against Exeter. He also showed several very competent displays during Argyle’s visit to Northern Ireland in the 2015/2016 Milk Cup.

The young defender has progressed up through the Argyle Academy, joining the youth set-up at the age of age. Spotted by John James, Head of Academy Recruitment, Tom was playing for West Exe Youth Under-9s at eight years old. Throughout his journey with the Academy, Tom has often played up an age-group. 

As well as playing regularly for the Under-18s, Tom has also made an appearance for Argyle in the Carlsberg South West League Premier Division.

Tom will be looking to replicate his older brother’s success of progressing from an apprentice up to the first-team squad. Ben was offered a professional contract in June 2013 after impressing as a first-year apprentice and went on to make his debut in a 3-2 Boxing Day win at Oxford in 2013. 

Ben has been a regular in Derek Adams’ squad this campaign, playing a large part in the Green’s early promotion push. 

With a promising start to both careers, the prospect of the two brothers pairing up in the first team in the near future is enough to get any Green out of their seat.