#ArgyleAtAnfield - The History Books

Played 5; won 0; drawn 2, lost 3; goals scored 7; goals conceded 14; average attendance 30,867.

Wednesday, September 1, 1954. Division 2: D 3-3.

Saturday, October 1, 1955. Division 2: L 1-4.

Saturday, September 26, 1959. Division 2: L 1-4.

Wednesday, September 1, 1954. Division 2: D 3-3.

Team: Les Major; Paddy Ratcliffe, Pat Jones; Neil Dougall, George Robertson, Tony McShane; Keith Thomas, Jimmy Crawford, Neil Langman, George Dews, Johnny Porteous.

Goals: Keith Thomas, George Dews, Johnny Porteous.

Keith Thomas started his career with Oswestry Town, his hometown club, before joining Sheffield Wednesday in 1950. 

He struggled to make an impact on the side and moved on to Cardiff City two years later, where he again failed to break into the first team. 

After moving to Home Park in November 1953, Thomas played the first regular football of his career, but was unable to make the wing position his own and left to join Exeter City in 1956. 

He ended his career with Hereford United before joining the RAF, where he served as a Flying Officer and played for the RAF representative side. 

Saturday, December 9, 1961. Division 2: L 1-2.

Team: Dave Maclaren, George Robertson, Bryce Fulton, Johnny Williams, Gordon Fincham, Johnny Newman, Peter Anderson, Wilf Carter, George Kirby, Jimmy McAnearney, Ken Maloy.

Goal: Johnny Williams.

Born in Bristol, Johnny Williams came to live in Plymouth at an early age and learned his football locally. In 1954, he was signed by Argyle as a part-time professional after his father asked the club to give his son a trial. Few could possibly have realised then that the 19-year-old would go on to be one of the most successful players in Argyle's history.

Originally an inside forward, Williams made his debut against Blackburn in September 1955 and retained his place for much of that season. 

After relegation the side made an appalling start to the 56-57 campaign. Manager Jack Rowley left Williams out and decided to play him at wing-half in the reserve side. Williams returned four games later and never looked back. 

Over the next six seasons he missed only three games. At the height of his form he was majestic and constantly watched by top First Division teams. In 1958, he attracted a substantial bid from Wolves, at that time on their way to a second consecutive League Championship.

All of his contemporaries at Home Park shared the opinion that not only could he have played at the highest level but that he would have taken it by storm. 

In all competitions, he made 448 appearances for the Pilgrims and notched 55 goals, many of them unstoppable long-distance drives and volleys. He is fourth in overall appearances for the club.

Johnny Williams (3 Wilf Carter, George Robertson, Reg Wyatt).

Johnny Williams.

Dave MacLaren, Geoff Barnsley, Les Major, Bill Shortt.

Jack Rowley 2, Neil Dougall & George Taylor, Jimmy Rae, Ellis Stuttard.