Plymouth Herald
Board calls on fans to help inspire home win
KEITH TODD has sent out a clarion call for Plymouth Argyle fans to turn out in force for the Championship clash against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
It will be the Pilgrims' first competitive match at Home Park since the boardroom shake-up over the summer.
Among the changes were Todd being appointed as a director, and his long-time business colleague Sir Roy Gardner becoming the chairman.
One of the first decisions taken by the new Argyle regime was to cut adult admission prices to £15 in the Mayflower Terrace.
They also scrapped the unpopular £2 surcharge on tickets bought on matchdays, rather than in advance.
A 'New World' season ticket deal, offering incremental savings over the next five years, was also introduced.
It has all been aimed at ending the decline in attendances at Home Park over recent seasons.
Todd hopes there will be strong support for Argyle throughout the 2009/10 Championship campaign.
He told Herald Sport: "The biggest challenge for me so far is understanding whether we have done all we could, off the pitch, to get people into the ground.
"I'm talking about actually making matchday appealing to the fans.
"Clearly, performances on the pitch are a major factor. I don't deny that. That is always going to be there.
"But it's also about encouraging people who come regularly to bring a friend.
"It's a very genuine request for people from Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall to reach out to the club.
"If you are 50-50, come along on Saturday. Give us the benefit of the doubt.
"Come and enjoy the atmosphere. QPR is always a great fixture, so it couldn't be any better from that sense.
"Then we have got Cardiff City here three days later. They should be a couple of good games."
Todd is encouraging supporters to buy their tickets for the QPR match in advance, and not leave it until the day.
He said: "The fans can buy online, or at the box office at Home Park.
"It will save queuing up on the day and it will improve the matchday experience."
Todd believes the Green Army have an important part to play this season.
Argyle won only seven of their 23 home Championship matches last term, and actually had a better record on their travels.
Todd believes vocal support will be key to improving the home results.
He said: "I say this as a fan myself, I think we sometimes underestimate the impact we have on the team.
"Last season, I probably watched most of my Argyle matches away from home.
"The away fans are very tight-knit and very vocal and, as a result of that, it creates a great atmosphere to which the players respond to.
"I'm not suggesting this was the only reason for the away results being better last season.
"But I think there really was a relationship between those away fans who turned up and the players.
"The players felt really encouraged that people had put themselves out to travel so far."
Todd added: "I'm hoping the fans will get behind the team on Saturday and give them every chance to succeed."
Argyle supporters have until Saturday to take advantage of the 'New World' season ticket offer.
Todd said: "It's the best value in town, but it hasn't really been picked up.
"We have had a few additional sales but there is plenty left out of the 10,000 limit we put on it.
"I don't think that was over-optimistic, but we perhaps haven't got the message out.
"If you intend to come to Argyle over the next few years, there is a now a package to get five per cent discounts, incrementally, over the next five seasons."
Todd believes that will prove to be excellent value for money.
He said: "We have all got to be realistic that it's going to take some time to achieve the ultimate goal (promotion to the Premier League).
"But I think we are going to see some very competitive performances this season."
Argyle season-ticket holders can bring up to two friends to Tuesday's visit of Cardiff City for £10 each.
Argyle chief operating officer Tony Campbell said: "We realise that, in the current economic climate, it is not easy for people to find the cash to go to two matches in such a short space of time.
"We are considering a range of measures aimed at easing the financial burden on our supporters, of which this is the first."
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle/Board-calls-fans-help-inspire-home-win/article-1247319-detail/article.html
