Peninsula Farewell
THE Central League and the Premier League Under-23 Cup will again feature prominently in next season’s fixtures in for Argyle’s young players.
The two competitions have proved very successful first-time ventures for the Pilgrims’ young professionals and apprentices, as well as first-team squad players, this season.
After progressing to the group stage in the Premier League Cup by knocking out Portsmouth, Argyle rounded off a satisfactory group campaign by beating cup-holders Aston Villa 4-1 at Home Park.
The Central League table sees the Pilgrims maintaining their season-long challenge for top spot after suffering just two defeats in the ten-team division.
The natural progression of the club and a restructuring of the Carlsberg South-West Peninsula League means that Argyle will not field a team in any South West competition in 2019-20.
They have played in the Peninsula League for the past four seasons, firstly in the First Division West and latterly in the Premier, with the experience proving an enjoyable and beneficial experience.
It has enabled the club to bring on their younger players as well as providing a platform for senior pros looking to regain their fitness.
With Argyle now committed to the more exacting environment of the Central League and Premier League Under-23 Cup, a team from Argyle Community Trust, the club’s charitable arm, will play in the newly restructured Devon League.
Argyle Head of Football Derek Adams said: “The Peninsula League has been very good for us over the last four years but we feel that we need to develop our players further, so the Community Trust are going to take over in that league.
“We will play our players either in the Central League or in the Premier League Cup.“
The Trust will be represented in the Devon League by their Post 16 Football programme players, with matches played at their new Manadon Sports Hub.
Post 16 Manager Lee Britchford said: “This will enhance the Trust’s current football provisions. The programme provides opportunities for young people who may not have made apprenticeship terms with a professional football club to stay within the game and have the opportunity to progress back into the system.
“We are looking forward to bringing this exciting opportunity to Plymouth.”