Be The Difference
The Argyle Podcast recently spent time with Argyle manager Steven Schumacher, Academy manager Phil Stokes and Director of Football Neil Dewsnip to discuss how Evergreen members will directly contribute to the Home Park future.
Here are some of the comments and the full podcast can be heard on www.pafc.co.uk
Steven Schumacher: “I was intrigued when I first heard about Evergreen and wanted to learn more about how the money can be used to impact the first-team.
“The Evergreen team explained the membership scheme and the other clubs [Wigan and Aberdeen\ that have done something similar. It is exciting because, when you look at the details and the finances involved, it can have a substantial impact on all the football departments fans can choose to strengthen.
“The most important part is the supporters can choose how their money is spent because it makes the fans who love Argyle even more a part of the decision-making at the club.
“We get an amazing following at Home Park and away games, but there are also fans who support Argyle from all over the world and they can now make a direct contribution through Evergreen.
“When you get into the details of the benefits, it is really exciting. From a first-team perspective, it could be things like a new goal for Harper's Park, which costs a couple of grand. If we need to do something like that, it is £2,000 less we have for player wages or signings, so even just little contributions of that nature can make a difference.
“We have first-team coaches with Wyscout accounts but only one login for the five staff because it costs a lot of money. The Evergreen memberships could be used to extend the Wyscout reach, which ultimately gives us more money to buy players for the first-team.
“Fans will know that their Evergreen membership is directly helping the club function better and releasing money for first-team improvements.”
Phil Stokes: “I have been at the club for a while now and I’ve seen the Big Green Lottery develop projects for the Academy but, when Evergreen was explained, it was a really exciting project that could take us to the next level.
“Any contributions to the Academy are gratefully received and, for us, it is tours and tournaments that are the main headline-grabbers.
“We are where we are geographically and our parents and players do a lot of travelling. What we want to develop is life-enriching tours, from the Under-9s to Under-18s, where players can visit different parts of the UK and Europe.
“Hopefully, throughout their time in the Academy, players have experienced different cultures and our games programme needs more competition. Tournaments help our players to become better footballers and better people.
“Players should have a wonderful time in the Academy and I still remember my first trip to the Super Cup in Northern Ireland. We want players to look back on those experiences and to make them better players.
“Tours cost a substantial amount of football and we want something different for every age group. It could be a trip to Scotland for the Under-12s, a tour of London and Category 1 clubs for a different group, or it could be a couple of days in Holland against European teams.
“Evergreen will advance our young players.
Steven Schumacher: “I loved those experiences in the Academy and anytime a young player gets to compete in a different environment will improve them as a footballer.
“Evergreen is a great idea and we know how passionate our fans are.”
Neil Dewsnip: “I think it is a wonderful idea and I know one or two clubs around the country have engaged in similar schemes.
“The benefits for the people who decide to invest in Evergreen is the opportunity to be part of what we are all about. It gives them a bit more ownership with the football department.
“We are progressing like crazy and we want to go even further, which means being even more high-tech. It could be things in the medical department, for example, talent identification and recruitment, data analysis, the whole spectrum of football operations.
“Evergreen can cover every facet of football at Home Park and the example of the Academy given by Phil is ideal. We want our games programme to include experiences in London, the north of the country and in Europe.
“Tours and tournaments abroad are on our agenda, but they all cost, and Evergreen will hopefully provide support in that area as well.
“We want to be together with the supporters and I think of my own example; supporters might see me on a match-day speaking to Mark Hughes through a walkie talkie during the game, and we want to improve the quality of that product to enhance our communication because it can be a challenge away from Home Park.
“Something that might seem trivial can actually have a massive impact and it comes direct from Evergreen.
“Each department within the football operations has come up with a wishlist and some examples include ultra-sound machines for the medical team, training ground equipment and maintenance, talent ID software, and so much more.”
Evergreen really can Be The Difference.
Visit the Evergreen microsite on www.pafc.co.uk for everything you need to know and you can also sign up online. Any questions, please contact the Evergreen team by emailing evergreen@pafc.co.uk, calling 01752 302208 or visit theEvergreen Suite at Home Park (next to the Argyle Superstore).
