An update from CEO Andrew Parkinson

It feels like an appropriate time to address you all, after what has been a busy and important few days for the football club.

On Monday night, following our game against Bristol City, the board met and made the difficult decision to part ways with Head Coach Ian Foster.

Decisions like this are never made lightly. Ultimately, given our league position, and recent results, we took the decision to make a change, with six crucial games remaining. It has always been the goal for this season to stay in the Sky Bet Championship, and that target remains in our hands.

It was important to us to give Ian sufficient time in his role in line with the values of our club. He was appointed, at the start of the calendar year, following a thorough recruitment process.

Transfer budget was provided for Ian to sign players that he had identified, and the club brought in Simon Ireland and Darryl Flahavan, two experienced coaches, to provide assistance. Ian indicated that he needed more time to assess additional coaching requirements based on the availability of suitable candidates, and understanding exactly what we already had.

We have a belief at Plymouth Argyle that our employees should be given requisite chance to thrive and develop in their roles. We aspire to be seen as a leading employer within the South West – and we believe we are a long way towards our goal. That entails empowering people – not just a head coach, but any member of staff across the organisation – to perform their role, and prove themselves.

We believe, within football circles and beyond, that our club is seen as an exciting and fair place to work, and our record in terms of working with managers or coaches, developing them and the club, speaks for itself.

On this occasion, at this specific moment in time, we believe that the best way forward was to make a change. It is, though, important to retain continuity, and that refers to a successful setup throughout Argyle over several years.

Neil Dewsnip came to us as a director of football when we were a League Two side, and has overseen so much development on and off the pitch. We have had two promotions in four years and have made significant strides in all footballing areas of the club. Neil has been critical to that progression.

Argyle fans need no explanation of what Kevin Nancekivell means to the football club – and vice versa. Kevin is Mr Argyle; a fan, a former player, a brilliant coach, and a terrific person. Argyle’s success means everything to him.

Between Neil and Kevin, the football knowledge they share is tremendous, as is the drive to ensure this football club continues to thrive, progress and succeed. Neil and Kevin know all about our philosophy. They also know the players; they know their strengths and weaknesses, their characteristics, what makes them tick.

We have seen the players respond to Neil and Kevin before. It was a far greater risk at this time to bring in someone from the outside, who would need time to familiarise themselves with the intricate details of the squad, to get to know them properly. It was time that we simply do not have.

It was important to make a decision on the direction on the football front for the rest of the season, to provide clarity for all concerned. This also gives us time to start the process of appointing Ian Foster’s successor, something that the Board of Directors have already begun.

We have already had people contact us, registering interest in the job, which will once again be a very sought-after and attractive role. It is vital we get the appointment right, and we will take the time we need to select the best candidate.

For much of this season, we have seen our exciting, young squad play committed, attacking football, and for the period in which Neil and Kevin oversaw football matters between head coaches, we saw that on display in some thrilling games.

They know, as do our superb group of players, what we need to do to stay in the Championship. On a factual level, it means we have to pick up points from our remaining six games. Crucially, matters are still in our hands.

On a more holistic level, it means we must be united as we move forwards. Of course, the staff and players play a major part in this, but to an equally great part, so do the Green Army.

I believe you have seen, although results have not been as we would have liked in the last few games, that our players are 100% committed to the cause, and are giving everything. That is in great part down to the backing they have received from all of you.

There are not many clubs, with our current form and position, that would see 1,400 fans travel from west to east, to Norwich City, on Good Friday. It was terrific, yet not surprising, to see. Then, three days later, Home Park was not only sold out, as it always is, but was rocking against Bristol City.

We all – from top to bottom at the club – were appreciative of how vocal and supportive you were of the players on Monday. Even by the Green Army’s high standards, the support was exceptional.

We need that six more times; and we know that you will be there to roar the players on, as you always are.

Whether it is on the road at Rotherham United, Stoke City and Millwall, or with our three remaining Home Park fixtures, or from wherever you are in the world, interacting on the website, on social media and on Argyle TV - we need you. We are all pulling in the same direction.  We will do this together.

Thank you,

Andrew.