The Argyle Podcast

The one everyone wanted.

The story of a promising footballer failing to live up to the hype is common. But what about the story of the best youngster the country has produced who was tipped to lead England to World Cup glory? Step forward Cherno Samba.

A Championship Manager ‘must buy’ who was also the hottest property in the real world. Clubs were falling over each other to get the then 15-year old’s signature.

However, like so many before him, it didn’t work out. Spells in Spain, Greece and Finland followed as well as a happier time at Home Park.

This is the story of Cherno Samba.

WARNING – some listeners may find some of the topics in this podcast upsetting.

If you have been affected by anything raised in this podcast, then you can find out information on how to reach out to the club here. Alternatively you can contact Samaritans of Plymouth, East Cornwall and South Werst Devon by calling their free phone number 116123 or going to their website here.

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A two-time title winner.

Before arriving at Home Park in the winter of 2000, David Worrell’s young career already included a third placed finish at a World Championships and, more loosely, a Premier League title win. The first, he was full involved in, the second, not so much.

However, by the age of 19, the Dublin born full-back had been an ever present as Ireland won the bronze medal at the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia and was a regular in the reserves at Blackburn Rovers, the year they won the Premier League.

Although he never played a first team game for Rovers, his wait for a title medal wouldn’t go on much longer.

A brief meeting in Scotland with Paul Sturrock was all it took to convince the legendary Scottish manager to take him from Dundee United, to Plymouth Argyle.

Five seasons, 160 appearances and two title wins later and David Worrell is rightfully near the top of the lists of the greatest full backs to play for Argyle.

This is the story of David Worrell.

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The Plymouth Rose.

You can count on one hand the Plymothians who have played football for England. In fact, just two born in the city have gone on to represent their country at full international level; Trevor Francis and Jemma Rose.

For Jemma, it was a pipe dream growing up in the 1990s. She played junior football in the city for Activate, coached by her dad, before getting recognised and brought into the Centre of Excellence.

But with no pathway to become a professional in Devon, she had to move to Bristol. By the age of 20 she had already played in two FA Cup finals, been captain for England at every age level and almost made the Team GB squad for London 2012.

Continuing to impress, Jemma moved to Arsenal, where she played every game in her first season and was involved in the 2015 FA Cup winning squad. An England cap wasn’t too far away and November 2015, she got her cap.

It was a whirlwind rise and the journey ended up with a return to Argyle in 2021. 

This is the story of Jemma Rose.

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“He does it…Marino Keith!”

From Peterhead to Plymouth, Marino Keith was a hero in Green and part of the crop of Argyle players who won two championships.

Growing up in Aberdeenshire he made his professional bow later than most. After a strong performance in the Highland Leagues for Fraserburgh, he got his dream move to boyhood club Dundee United.

After spells at Falkirk and Livingston, Marino ventured about as south as south goes and joined Argyle in the November of 2001.

In his first season he helped Argyle clinch promotion from Division Three, scoring in the clincher at Rochdale.

He was never prolific but was a scorer of important goals at important times. None more so than on a Tuesday night in December 2003, poking home the winner against Swindon Town – cue incredible scenes in the away end.

Unfortunately, injury cut his career short but Marino, who had spent hours on the team coach studying computing, now is the managing director of Xeretec.

This is the story of Marino Keith.

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From being a Championship Manager legend to playing in the Championship with Argyle.

A lot was expected of Bojan Djordijc. He made was playing first team football in Sweden aged 15, Manchester United came calling at 16 and he was one of the hottest properties on the computer game, Championship manager at 17.

However, his career pathway didn’t quite pan out as the video game had predicted. A combination of childhood trauma, a lax attitude to training and injuries meant that the star boy, who was supposed to conquer the world was left languishing in the South Western League with Argyle reserves.

Despite those troubles he is fondly remembered at Home Park as a silky winger who scored important goals against Luton Town and Leeds United.

Away from Argyle he won league and cup titles in Serbia and Sweden and is now pone of the top football pundits in his homeland.

This is the story of Bojan Djordjic. 

 *WARNING: This podcast contains very strong language that some may find offensive.

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The Wylde thing.

Argyle players from Kirkintilloch tend to do pretty well. Sammy Black is the club's record goal scorer and Gregg Wylde, whilst not quite hitting the same heights, played a big part in Argyle's rejuvenation.

A Rangers fan, who played in Celtic's Academy, Gregg moved back across Glasgow and started his professional career at Ibrox. Under the watchful eye of Walter Smith and Ally McCoist, Gregg starred as a youngster at the club and if it wasn't for administration, would have stayed there for much longer. 

Derek Adams brought the winger to Home Park where he played a huge part in the play-off final campaign. Although that ultimately ended in defeat, some of Gregg's goals are still talked about now.

This is the story of Gregg Wylde.

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The magic of the cup.

40 years ago, third division Plymouth Argyle reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, an achievement still talked about today.

Memories from that magical run ‘The Road to Villa Park’ are often spoken about by supporters who were there, the stories are part of Argyle folklore.

40 years on, the club in connection with Forever Green, are holding an event to celebrate the characters involved in one of the most famous chapters in Argyle’s history.

Nine members of the squad, the manager, journalists and directors of the time are coming together to celebrate the run and supporters can have the chance to go to.

To whet the appetite, here is a little snippet of some of the memories from the people who were there.

This is the story of the Road to Villa Park.

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Joe’s journey.

Joe Mason grew up an Argyle supporter, had two older brothers in the Academy and dreamed of emulating his hero, Michael Evans.

This week’s episode of the Argyle Podcast is part of the EFL’s Youth Development Week and shows off one of ‘our own’ who has gone on to make a success in the game after progressing through Argyle’s youth set-up.

Not only did Joe manage to break through after a successful youth career, which involved locking horns with England Internationals Daniel Sturridge and Kieran Trippier in the FA Youth Cup, he got to play and score at Home Park.

Under the stewardship of Argyle icon, Paul Mariner, Joe broke into the first team in the Championship, before showing his ability in League One.

It was during that second season he attracted interest from a host of clubs and Cardiff City because his home the following year.

There he would become an instant hero, giving Cardiff City the lead in the 2012 League Cup final against Liverpool and being part of the squad to win promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Joe has since played in America and Canada but has always had Argyle close to his heart.

This is the story of Joe Mason.

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The cream of Cornwall.

There aren’t many footballers from Cornwall who have gone on to grace the world stage, but Chris Morris certainly is one of them.

Having failed to make the grade at both Argyle and Exeter City, Newquay-born Morris had to make the decision to move to Sheffield to pursue his footballing dream.

After impressing the great Jack Charlton, enough, he signed as a teenager at Sheffield Wednesday, helping them to promotion in just his second season.

A move to Scotland and Celtic was to follow where he became an instant hero, playing every game as Celtic won the league and cup double in their centenary season.

Former boss, Charlton, was so impressed with Morris’ performances north of the border that he brought him into the Ireland squad that defied the odds to reach not only the European Championships in 1988, but the quarter finals two years later at the World Cup in Italy in 1990.

A stint in the Premier League was cut short and after a return home to the family pasty making business, Chris Morris became a coach developer and finally landed his job at Argyle, where he currently works in the Academy.

The is the pretty incredible story of Chris Morris.

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The Feeney Footballing Family.

Warren Feeney is one of four generations of professional footballers from his family. His grandad played for Swansea City and Ipswich Town in the 1940s and 50s, his dad was a prolific scorer for Glentoran, and his son has just started out being coached by Warren himself.

Growing up in Belfast all Warren knew was football. He moved to Leeds United as a teenager and struck up a strong friendship with Premier League legends Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell.

Moved to Bournemouth and Stockport County kickstarted his career which saw him play in the Football League for over a decade.

As well as domestic honours he was also capped by his national team 46 times, playing in famous wins over England and Spain at Windsor Park.

Not content with playing, Warren has also paved himself a successful career as a coach in Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Bulgaria. There are plenty of tales in this one.

This is the story of Warren Feeney.

 *WARNING: This podcast contains very strong language that some may find offensive.

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