2023–24 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season explained

Club:	Plymouth Argyle
Season:	2023–24
Owner:	Simon Hallett
Chairman:	Simon Hallett
Manager:	Steven Schumacher ^[1] Ian Foster ^[2] Neil Dewsnip (interim, until end of season)^[3]
Mgrtitle:	Head Coach
Stadium:	Home Park
League:	EFL Championship
League Result:	21st
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Fourth round
Cup2:	EFL Cup
Cup2 Result:	Second round
League Topscorer:	Morgan Whittaker (16)
Season Topscorer:	Morgan Whittaker (17)
Average Attendance:	16,389
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Prevseason:	2022–23
Nextseason:	2024–25

The 2023–24 season is the 138th season in the history of Plymouth Argyle and their first season back in the Championship since the 2009–10 season following their promotion from League One last season. The club is participating in the Championship, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Plymouth secured survival on 4 May 2024, the final day of the season, by virtue of beating play-off chasing Hull City 1–0 at Home Park.

Current squad

No.	Name	Position	Nationality	Date of birth (Age)	Previous club	Fee	Contract end
Goalkeepers
1		GK			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2025
21		GK		5 March 1998		£150,000	30 June 2026
25		GK				Free	30 June 2024
Defenders
2		DF		8 October 2001		1m	30 June 2027
3		DF		19 January 2005		Loan	31 May 2024
5		DF				Free	30 June 2025
6		DF				Free	30 June 2025
17		DF		19 July 2000		Free	30 June 2025
22		DF				Free	30 June 2024
31	Oscar Halls	DF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024
26		DF		26 June 2005		Loan	31 May 2024
29		DF		19 February 2001		Free	30 June 2025
Midfielders
4		MF				Free	30 June 2025
8		MF				Free	30 June 2025
11		MF				Undisclosed	30 June 2026
16		MF		1 August 2004		Loan	31 May 2024
20		MF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2026
27		MF		8 October 1991		Free	30 June 2024
34		MF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024
37	Jack Matthews	MF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024
Forwards
9		FW				Undisclosed	30 June 2026
10		FW		7 January 2001		1 million	30 June 2027
14		FW				Free	30 June 2024
15		FW		28 February 1997		Undisclosed	30 June 2025
23		FW				Undisclosed	30 June 2025
35		FW		28 July 2006		Undisclosed	30 June 2026
Out on Loan
19		FW				Undisclosed	30 June 2024
24		DF				Undisclosed	30 June 2024
30		DF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024
32		MF			Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024
33	Zak Baker	GK		19 November 2004	Academy	Trainee	30 June 2024

Statistics

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Goals record

width=50px	Rank !	width=50px	No. !	width=50px	Nat. !	width=50px	Po. !	width=150px	Name !	width=150px	Championship !	width=150px	FA Cup !	width=150px	EFL Cup !	width=150px	Total
1	10		FW		8	0	0	8
2	9		FW		6	0	0	6
3	18		MF		4	0	0	4
	23		FW		1	0	3	4
	28		MF		3	0	1	4
6	20		MF		3	0	0	3
7	2		DF		2	0	0	2
	15		FW		2	0	0	2
9	6		DF		1	0	0	1
	8		DF		1	0	0	1
Total					30	0	4	34

Disciplinary record

Rank	No.	Nat.	Po.	Name	Championship			Total
1	6		DF		4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	5	0	1
	14		FW		6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0
3	2		DF		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	4		MF		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
	28		MF		3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	0	0
	29		DF		4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0
7	10		FW		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	17		DF		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
	20		MF		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0
10	5		DF		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	9		FW		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	18		MF		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	1		GK		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
	7		MF		1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0
	8		DF		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
16	21		GK		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
	22		DF		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Total					46	0	1	0	0	0	3	0	0	50	0	1

Transfers

In

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred from	Fee	Ref
1 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[4]
3 July 2023				Free Transfer	^[5]
11 July 2023				Undisclosed	^[6]
17 July 2023				£1,000,000	^[7]
21 July 2023				£1,000,000	^[8]
1 September 2023				Undisclosed	^[9]
17 January 2024				Free Transfer	^[10]
19 January 2024				Free Transfer	^[11]

Out

Date	Pos	Player	Transferred to	Fee	Ref
30 June 2023				Released	^[12] ^[13]
30 June 2023				Released	^[14]
30 June 2023				Free Transfer	^[15]
30 June 2023		Jeffrey Forkuo		Released	^[16]
30 June 2023				Released	^[17]
30 June 2023				Released	^[18]
30 June 2023				Released	^[19] ^[20]
30 June 2023				Released	^[21]
30 June 2023		James Morley		Released	^[22]
30 June 2023		Adam Parkes		Released	^[23]
30 June 2023		Sam N'Sapu		Released
30 June 2023				Released
30 June 2023				Released	^[24] ^[25]
12 January 2024				Undisclosed	^[26]
31 January 2024				Mutual Consent	^[27] ^[28]

Loaned in

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned from	Fee	Ref
1 July 2023				14 January 2024	^[29] ^[30]
26 July 2023				14 January 2024	^[31] ^[32]
2 August 2023				3 January 2024	^[33] ^[34]
7 August 2023				7 January 2024	^[35] ^[36]
8 January 2024				End of Season	^[37]
11 January 2024				27 March 2024	^[38] ^[39]
17 January 2024				End of Season	^[40]
1 February 2024				End of Season	^[41]

Loaned out

Date	Pos	Player	Loaned to	Until	Ref
21 July 2023				End of Season	^[42]
26 July 2023				26 October 2023	^[43]
2 August 2023				7 October 2023	^[44]
7 October 2023				4 November 2023	^[45]
9 November 2023		Zak Baker		7 December 2023	^[46]
15 January 2024				End of Season	^[47]
1 February 2024				End of Season	^[48]

Pre-season and friendlies

On June 7, Plymouth Argyle announced their pre-season schedule, with friendlies against Plymouth Parkway, Torquay United, Forest Green Rovers, Salford City and Swindon Town.^[49] A week later, a trip to Spain to face Scottish side Heart of Midlothian was also confirmed.^[50]

Competitions

Championship

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Championship.

Matches

On 22 June, the EFL Championship fixtures were released.^[51]

FA Cup

See main article: 2023–24 FA Cup.

Plymouth joined the competition in the third round, and were drawn at home to Sutton United,^[52] then away to Leeds United in the fourth round.^{[53] [54]}

EFL Cup

See main article: 2023–24 EFL Cup.

Plymouth were drawn at home to Leyton Orient in the first round^[55] and to Crystal Palace in the second round.^[56]

Notes and References

1. News: Club Statement: Steven Schumacher . 20 December 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 19 December 2023.
2. News: Foster Departs . 1 April 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 2 April 2024.
3. Web site: Foster departs . PAFC.co.uk . 1 April 2024 . 25 May 2024.
4. News: Julio Pleguezuelo Becomes First Summer Signing .
5. News: Gibson becomes third summer signing . 3 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 3 July 2023.
6. News: Conor Hazard Signs . 11 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 11 July 2023.
7. News: Whittaker signs for Argyle in club-record deal . 17 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 17 July 2023.
8. News: Mumba Returns in Record-Equalling Deal . 21 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 21 July 2023.
9. News: Argyle sign Mustapha Bundu . 2 September 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 1 September 2023.
10. News: Argyle Sign Matthew Sorinola . 17 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 17 January 2024.
11. News: Adam Forshaw Signs For Argyle . 19 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 19 January 2024.
12. News: Retained List . 10 May 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 10 May 2023.
13. News: James Bolton joins St Mirren on one-year deal . 26 July 2023 . St Mirren FC . 26 July 2023.
14. News: Torquay sign ex-Plymouth defender Craske . 21 July 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 21 July 2023.
15. News: Ennis departs for Blackburn . 26 May 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 26 May 2023.
16. News: Academy Retained List . 28 April 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 28 April 2023.
17. News: Conor Grant joins the Valiants goalkeeper . 28 June 2023 . Port Vale . 28 June 2023.
18. News: Welsh striker Jephcott joins St Johnstone . 21 July 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 21 July 2023.
19. News: Law, Craske and Pursall to Depart . 5 May 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 5 May 2023.
20. News: Law Returns to The White Tigers . 26 July 2023 . Truro City . 26 July 2023.
21. News: Experienced midfielder Danny Mayor added to Town's ranks . 26 June 2023 . Fleetwood Town FC . 26 June 2023.
22. News: Dobwalls sign Argyle Academy goalkeeper Morley . 9 June 2023 . The Cornish Times . 9 June 2023.
23. News: Parkway capture Adams Parkes signature . 17 August 2023 . Plymouth Parkway FC . 17 August 2023.
24. News: Wilson to Depart . 13 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 13 June 2023.
25. News: Bristol Rovers sign defender Wilson . 23 June 2023 . British Broadcasting Corporation . 23 June 2023.
26. News: Gillesphey Signs for Charlton Athletic . 12 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 12 January 2024.
27. News: Matt Butcher Leaves Argyle . 31 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 31 January 2024.
28. News: Butcher's a Blue . 31 January 2024 . Wycombe Wanderers FC . 31 January 2024.
29. News: Argyle Sign Kaine Kesler-Hayden on Loan . 29 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 29 June 2023.
30. News: Kesler-Hayden returns to Villa . 14 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 14 January 2024.
31. News: Lewis Warrington Signs . 26 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 26 July 2023.
32. News: Warrington returns to Everton . 15 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 14 January 2024.
33. News: Finn Azaz Returns on Loan . 2 August 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 2 August 2023.
34. News: Azaz returns to Villa . 3 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 3 January 2024.
35. News: Luke Cundle Signs On Loan . 7 August 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 7 August 2023.
36. News: Cundle returns to Wolves . 7 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 7 January 2024.
37. News: Argyle Sign Ashley Phillips on Loan . 8 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 8 January 2024.
38. News: Gyabi joins on loan until the end of season . 11 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 11 January 2024.
39. News: Gyabi returns to Leeds for treatment . 27 March 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 27 March 2024.
40. News: Argyle Sign Alfie Devine on Loan . 17 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 17 January 2024.
41. News: Argyle Sign Lino Sousa . 1 February 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 1 February 2024.
42. News: Will Jenkins Davies Set For Torquay Loan . 21 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 21 July 2023.
43. News: Oscar Halls Joins Plymouth Parkway On Loan . 26 July 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 26 July 2023.
44. News: Jack Endacott Joins Tiverton Town On Loan . 2 August 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 2 August 2023.
45. News: Jack Endacott Joins Tavistock on Loan . 9 October 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 7 October 2023.
46. News: Zak Baker Joins Tiverton Town on loan . 9 November 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 9 November 2023.
47. News: Tyreik Wright joins Bradford on loan . 15 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 15 January 2024.
48. News: Saxon Earley Joins Wycombe Wanderers On Loan . 1 February 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 1 February 2024.
49. News: Pre-season schedule confirmed . 7 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 7 June 2023.
50. News: Argyle To Play Hearts In Spain . 15 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 15 June 2023.
51. News: 2023/24 Fixtures Announced . 22 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 22 June 2023.
52. News: Argyle drawn at Home to Sutton in the Emirates FA Cup . 11 December 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 3 December 2023.
53. News: Argyle Away To Leeds United In The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round . 8 January 2024 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 8 January 2024.
54. News: Norwich & Plymouth home games confirmed . 12 January 2024 . Leeds United FC . 12 January 2024.
55. News: Argyle Drawn At Home To Leyton Orient In The Carabao Cup . 22 June 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 22 June 2023.
56. News: Argyle draw Crystal Palace at home in The Carabao Cup . 10 August 2023 . Plymouth Argyle FC . 9 August 2023.