A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO

PLYMOUTH COMMAND’S FINAL SEASON

The Naval Base at Plymouth Devonport is very much part of our history and Command was a name given to the units, establishments and staff operating there.
Our story is based on that scenario and that a football team called Plymouth Command based at HMS Drake joined the South Western Football League at the start of season 1976-77 at their Brickfields ground and finished 8th in an eighteen club league with champions being Liskeard Athletic.
In a short lived eight year S W League existence, that position was the highest that they achieved and they moved to the Plymouth and District League after finishing second last in 1984 ! In 1995/96 they joined the Devon League finishing ninth, ahead of the present day Plymouth Parkway. At the commencement of season 1997/98 they moved into fantastic facilities at the Wyvern Centre.
There is one significant fact to tell, on 6th April 1982 the club resigned from the League and record expunged due to their players being on active duty in the South Atlantic !
Prior to that and just to show what team difficulties Plymouth Command had, in a December 16th 1978 programme at Torrington FC the Notes in welcoming the team and goal-keeper Don Pearson of 40 Royal Marine Commando who has represented the Royal Navy, intimated that the opposition should be stronger as “ the Ark Royal arrived home last Thursday ! “ Just to show the progress of one team through the years to the present day, Truro City were 18th and second bottom!
Our Match Programme for a Devon league fixture on April 2nd 1999 against Plymstock United had a stiff cover and particularly welcomed their Guests of the Easter 99 Hop and hoped they enjoyed the facilities but warned and I quote “ I have to ask you to stay in the immediate vicinity of the sports centre and soccer pitch and not to wander down frigate alley and into the naval base. More importantly don’t pinch one of our frigates or nuclear submarines as we have not got many left “ … classic ! At this point they had 10 games left with 15 points and were deeply concerned at surviving the Devon League, then, at the seasons end had only added five more to that and finished second bottom so left the League and chose to play service matches only. A League table, fixture page and both teams completed the compact Programme that is now history.