Football League World
·1 November 2024
Football League World
·1 November 2024
What do the general public say about their trips to the Theatre of Greens?
Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park has had some major work done to it in recent years, with owner Simon Hallett funding a makeover of the Mayflower Stand at the stadium, making the Theatre of Greens an all-seater venue for the first time.
Set in the scenic surroundings of Central Park on the outskirts of the city, the Greens’ home is as welcoming as any in the EFL, with regular events for both home and away fans creating a friendly atmosphere at the football club.
While the intimidation levels may rise during the 90 minutes of action, plenty come away from their day out with good things to say about their visit to see the Pilgrims, although there are those that still have their gripes.
Here we take a look at how Home Park is rated on TripAdvisor, with the ground averaging out at 4.0 stars from its 137 reviews.
If there is one thing that Argyle - and anyone from the South West for that matter - are going to pride themselves on, it is the quality of their pasties.
Are you a Dewdney’s or an Oggy Oggy lover? Proper Cornish or Friary Mill? Janners could go on for hours about which style of crimping they prefer, their favourite meat to veg ratio, swede or no swede… it is quite the topic for debate.
So to be praised on their offering at Home Park will be of the utmost pride to the Greens, with ‘Bagpuss1957’ keen to heap the praise on their visit from October 2023.
“Travelled to Plymouth Argyle as away supporters. The staff were all really nice and made everyone feel welcome. From the stewards, supporters, and club shop to catering and especially the car park staff they were all a delight they spoke to everyone, and as away supporters not something you always get.
“The ground and facilities were all clean a credit to the club. Cornish pastie in the ground [were] amazing. Thank you.”
As already mentioned, the welcoming feel of Home Park is something that the club takes great pride in, and ‘Noah W’ was full of praise after his visit last March, with his review entitled "Best stadium in the south".
“Atmosphere was outstanding… The fans in the Devonport End are essentially ultras for big games with tifos, drums flags and the like. The whole stand bounces up and down throughout the game. Yet it never really felt hostile. Obviously, there was banter with the away fans (like with any time) but Unlike with most other clubs, the whole stadium sings. Loads of women and kids were chanting too, you felt a fool to not join in.
“I’m not an Argyle fan, but the stadium looks amazing after the redevelopment in 2021, particularly at night! I personally like how they kept it with the same look as when it was predominantly standing before the redevelopment.
“Facilities are all perfect, very new, concourses are spacious for the size of the stadium and some of the best in the league.
“Overall it feels as though the stadium is far bigger than the capacity actually is.”
While Argyle have made a name for themselves in recent years for making Home Park a welcoming place for both home and away fans, it seems that hasn’t always been the case, with a number of historical visitors not enjoying their trip to Devon.
Micklah was one such reviewer, who felt they'd had a one-star experience at the ground.
They explained: "Quite why the ground is called Home Park when the park that surrounds the ground has always been called Central Park is an oddity.
"There is a very large car park in front of the main entrance whereas inside three-quarters of the ground is built as a continuous stand split into sections. The old grandstand is still there but below what was the terrace section has been cordoned off.
"Between that and the home end is a tiny and curious free-standing stand which doesn't seem to justify why it was built in the first place. Dreadful ground, dreadful fans."
It’s also safe to say that ‘Lynlyn’ won’t be coming back anytime soon, mainly because Walsall still reside in League Two.
“Where to start, wouldn't like this staff in my pub in a rush. How do they cope with a big crowd we had possibly 400 yesterday (Walsall) and the queues were crazy? Sell only cans, no beer pulls at £4.20 a can RIP OFF and then got to wait for them to pour it in a plastic cup.
"Then at half time one of them decides to be on her phone rather than serve, THEN THE STEWARDS GET A LIFE TRYING TO JUSTIFY A JOB, HOPE OURS EXTEND THE SAME TO YOUR FANS YOU MUPPETS, DON'T GO HERE. If this is how they want away fans to come back well it's a NO from me never again.”
And we will leave it with ‘Dave B’, with the local summing up how far the club have come over the past decade, with his short ditty summing up his fist from February 2013:
“Awful standard of football, very disappointing game. Poor atmosphere. Club in need of great investment in the team to be attractive.”
Since then, Dave’s prayers have been answered, Argyle haven’t been in a better position many times in their history, and the atmosphere at Home Park is all the better for it.
If you’re ever in town, grab yourself a pasty, neck a cider, and belt out the Janner Song with the thousands of others in attendance, that is sure to give you a five-star feeling.