Opened By a Legend

FORMER Argyle goalkeeper and manager Peter Shilton, also England’s most capped player with 125 international appearances, was invited as a guest to officially open the new Manadon Sports Hub.

The facility offers the opportunity to participate in sports, such as football and cricket, but also the chance to socialise and even have a drink within the Hub bar.

Shilton, who spent one season at Home Park in 1992-93 as player-manager, making 43 appearances in goal before retiring the gloves to become a full-time manager at Home Park from the end of the 1993 campaign until 1995.

Speaking at the event, Shilton said: “It’s lovely to be here and this is a fantastic venue. It will certainly be a benefit to the community, not just with people participating in sports here, but for people to be able to come and meet others and have a cup of tea, and to join in.

“Plymouth is a wonderful place to play sport. It is fitting that the area has facilities like this one. A facility like this will certainly be a benefit for generations to come.”

Speaking in front of new Argyle manager, Ryan Lowe, Peter thinks the Pilgrims, despite being in League Two, should have top-flight ambitions, because they have a support capable of helping them at that level.

“In terms of Plymouth Argyle, I think this is a Premiership club with the potential to get there,” he said. “From being down here, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I know that they would get the crowds if they were to get there [the Premier League].”