RN Photo |
HMS ALBION welcomes Plymouth
Argyle aboard
HMS Albion welcomed Plymouth
Argyle FC players on board in HM Naval Base Devonport in a show of
unity before the so-called FA Cup Battle of the Dockyards between the
Devon club the ‘Pilgrims’ and Portsmouth FC...
HMS Albion welcomed Plymouth Argyle FC players on board in HM Naval
Base Devonport in a show of unity before the so-called FA Cup Battle
of the Dockyards between the Devon club the ‘Pilgrims’ and Portsmouth
FC.
On Saturday the two teams clash in the fourth round of the FA Cup and
in preparation the ‘Pilgrims’, of the Coca Cola Championship League,
accepted an invitation for a morale-boosting visit to the Royal Navy’s
amphibious warship.
Yesterday the players were given rousing encouragement by the ship’s
commanding officer Captain Tim Lowe. They also enjoyed a kick-around
with the ship’s football team on the flight deck and a guided tour of
the vessel.
Capt Lowe said: “There is always good-natured and comradely rivalry
between Portsmouth and Plymouth because of the two naval bases. But
this has taken on a new dimension with the clash of the two football
teams Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle.
“It is obvious that Argyle will be the underdogs because they are in a
league below. But the FA Cup, as we all know, can have that touch of
magic and can cause shocks with lesser teams beating so-called
superior teams. I am sure Argyle can cause Portsmouth problems and
even win. My own advice, though they might not need it, is for Argyle
to prepare by concentrating on the weaknesses of the opposition and
minimise their own and build up the team spirit and general teamwork.”
The Royal Naval sporting rivalry continues with HMS Albion’s football
team taking on HMS Ark Royal at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose
tomorrow (Wednesday).
HMS Albion FC player Petty Officer Gary Warnes (logistics) of Plymouth
and an Argyle fan is also facing competition from within his family.
His Portsmouth-supporting brother Jacko (also a petty officer) is
based on Portsmouth-based HMS Richmond.
Gary said: “Anything can happen in the FA Cup and we are capable of
giving Pompey a shock. The pressure is on Pompey to live up to their
high-flying Premier League position and that could be in our favour.
We reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup last season, so we have
good experience.”
Argyle’s injured captain midfielder Paul Wotton thanked Captain Lowe
and the Royal Navy for their support.
HMS Argyll, Plymouth Argyle’s affiliated Royal Naval frigate, is now
deployed to the Arabian Gulf but that did not stop the crew sending
back their support with the following message:
'To Paul Sturrock and your squad from Commander Gavin Pritchard,
Commanding Officer of HMS Argyll, and his team: The best of luck in
the FA Cup tie against Portsmouth this weekend.
Despite being in the Gulf, Plymouth Argyle supporters have followed
events on and off the pitch closely and we think you and the players
are doing a fantastic job. There would be nothing better than seeing
Argyle in the next round and putting one over the Pompey fans, many of
whom are old shipmates and good friends. Good luck.”
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