Welcome to another edition of The Edit, your matchday programme from The Terrace Apparel. In this latest article we speak to Plymouth Argyle fan and host of the Argyle Life podcast, Aaron Hocking. With The Green Army set to turn London green for their Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley, we speak to Aaron about all things Argyle. As is a standard feature on The Edit, we dig into Aaron’s earliest and favourite footballing memories and get an idea of his favourite players.
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The Argyle Life Podcast
Lee: Thanks for joining us on The Edit, Aaron. It’s a big week for Argyle with the Papa John’s Trophy final coming up at Wembley. Before we get into that, let’s start by hearing about the Argyle Life podcast.
Aaron: The podcast started years ago with the original line up of Nick, Finn, Sam and co. We’re currently enjoying a bit of a resurgence after a season-or-two off. The podcast is aimed at Plymouth Argyle fans, however, we’ve attracted fans of plenty other clubs over the years, including Bury, Sunderland, Stevenage, Bolton and even Wellington Phoenix. We always say that the more collaborative, the better. We’re planning some big preview podcasts for pre-season, which is quite dependent on which division Argyle find themselves in next season.
Lee: So what should fans expect from the pod?
Aaron: Nothing! Expect nothing and you’re never disappointed. I jest. We’re slowly growing week-on-week and looking to expand our output properly next season. For now, it’s a weekly podcast on all things Argyle. It’s still raw, but I don’t think we’ll ever be too flashy. Sometimes the best opinions are the raw, down to earth, brutal ones!
You can listen to the podcast, or follow Argyle Life on social media, here: linktr.ee/argylelife
Supporting Plymouth Argyle
Lee: Let’s get to know a little bit more about you. You’re clearly an Argyle fan, but what made you make that choice?
Aaron: Who else was it ever going to be!? Growing up in the South-West you’re hardly spoilt for choice. I got my first Argyle ticket as a freebie in the local paper and have been hooked ever since. I attended whenever I could as a youngster and had a season ticket the season after.
Lee: It’s been a remarkable season for The Green Army. What are your realistic expectations for the remainder of the season?
Aaron: From here on in it must be promotion! We’ve got an EFL Trophy Final to look forward but the real prize is a return to the Championship. I’d take a battering in the Papa Johns Final if it meant we could go up. Although I’m well aware that’s not how football works.
Argyle’s One To Watch
Lee: Who is the one player to watch for the end of season run-in?
Aaron: Other clubs will be watching Michael Cooper, for sure. Since his injury though it’s been a toss-up as to who will claim the Player of the Season award. We’ve got endless players all over performing at the moment. On his day though, Finn Azaz possesses real quality in the final third and I can see him in the Championship next season even if we’re not. An Ireland call-up surely beckons too, if he can get his recent dip in form back on track. Him, Danny Mayor, Niall Ennis, Macauley Gillesphey, Bali Mumba, Callum Wright, Dan Scarr – the list is truly endless.
On his day though Finn Azaz possesses real quality in the final third and I can see him in the Championship next season even if we’re not.
Source: Plymouth Argyle Football Club.
Lee: So what one player would you like to see Argyle sign in the summer to bolster the current squad?
Aaron: Ahead of the EFL Trophy Final we spoke to Trotter Chatter, a Bolton Wanderers fan podcast, and I think I let it slip there. I’d love to see us poach Ricardo Santos from them. I’m not sure how realistic his signature would be, but he’s a huge presence at the back, defensively solid, good on the ball, already plays in a back 3 and would complement our current crop perfectly. I think he’d be ready for the step up too.
Argyle’s recruitment in recent seasons has been really positive, some of the names we’ve plucked from nowhere has been great to see. Our scouts in the A-League are working overtime to convince Macauley Gillesphey and Ben Waine to join Argyle are two great examples.
Favourite Players
Lee: The current Argyle squad has some fantastic players, and some undoubted fan favourites, but who is your favourite player of all time?
Aaron: We’ve had some incredibly good attacking talents over the years, but I can’t help but love good solid defenders; Curtis Nelson, Dan Scarr, Sonny Bradley, Peter Hartley, that man Gillesphey (again!). But for me, I think it would have to be Krisztian Timar.
Timar was part of the ‘Hungarian Trio’ brought to Plymouth by Paul Sturrock. Peter Halmosi and Akos Buszacky would be greater known by the football community, I’m sure. But Timar, nicknamed ‘The Beast’, was incredibly no-nonsense and didn’t mess about. It didn’t take him long to warm to all at Home Park, picking up Player of the Season in his first full season. If I remember rightly that was pretty much the last we’d see of him though; he picked up a head injury and never managed to re-find his form in an Argyle shirt. I believe he’s now managing in the Hungarian International set up.
Earliest Footballing Memories
Lee: Let’s dig into the memories you have of football when growing up. What is your earliest footballing memory?
Aaron: My earliest memory of a game in its entirety was the Miracle of Istanbul; the 2005 Champions League Final. I remember Crespo, Kaka, Pirlo, Maldini all being at the top of their game. Gerrard’s header at 3-1 and the way he rallied the troops. The way Baros swerves out of the way of Smicer’s thunderbolt. And of course, Dudek’s dancing. I spent hours in the garden trying to recreate some of Stevie G’s strikes. Smashed a couple of windows in the process!
I spent hours in the garden trying to recreate some of Stevie G’s strikes. Smashed a couple of windows in the process!
Lee: What was the first game that you attended?
Aaron: It was a trip to Plainmoor to see Torquay play Yeovil in the FA Cup. It was a 4-1 win for the Gulls. My Dad isn’t an ardent football fan so thought that would be a quieter affair as my first foray into football. He once persuaded by my uncle that Argyle wasn’t as violent as he’d read in the papers back in the 80s. After that he’d then spend his Saturday’s dropping me off at Home Park. I could have ended up a Glover!
That first time in a football ground is always special. There’s a reason why grounds are often synonymous with cathedrals. The first time at Home Park was incredible.
Favourite Footballing Memories
Lee: So how have the early years of watching Torquay initially, and then Argyle, shaped your footballing experience today?
Aaron: Now I find myself living away from the West Country all games feel more important. Argyle is that bond back to home. I miss Devon and Cornwall, but I get to have a taste of that in some random northern pub now among friends, with less of the travel time!
It’s a real privilege to take my nephews along to games of any standard. We’ve done non-league, EFL, Internationals at Wembley, Argyle Women’s games. It’s great. But, there are two real memories that stand out. I don’t think I’ll ever forget their faces after walking up the steps at Wembley, and the other is our trip to Home Park. Magical.
Lee: And finally, what is your favourite footballing memory?
Aaron: There’s not been a huge abundance of highlights watching Argyle trudge through administration! But the trip to Anfield, where we drew 0-0 with Liverpool was special. So was visiting Wembley in the play-offs final (result aside), and last season itself was incredible until the unfortunate ending.
There are two stand out memories above them all though. Macauley Gillesphey (yes, him again!) putting us 1-0 up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. We rocked the foundations of Tommy Tuchel’s Club World Cup Champions to the core. That, coupled with the passion of the 6,000+ in the away end. All in unified voice, I was proud to be a Janner that day. My other half was in the home end, she’s a Chelsea fan for her sins. I remember thinking if we win this, I’d be single!
We rocked the foundations of Tommy Tuchel’s Club World Cup Champions to the core.
Source: The Telegraph
AND Peter Hartley’s header at the back post in the dying minutes against Portsmouth in the play-off semi-final to hand us the win and send us to Wembley. I think my heart stopped. Incredible scenes. Limbs – as they would say.
The Terrace Apparel
Lee: Finally Aaron, what do you think of the products on offer at The Terrace Apparel?
Aaron: Really impressed actually. The detail on the stitching is brilliant. I’ve got a nice collection of Argyle based art prints, and my Peter Hartley t-shirt is up their with my favourites. Capturing that iconic back-stick header, sending Enda Stephens flying in the process. It’s a beauty!
Peter Hartley T-Shirt
