Plymouth Argyle Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Plymouth, Devon. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, following promotion from the 2022–23 EFL League One. The club was formed in 1886 as Argyle Football Club, a name which was retained until 1903 when the club became professional and were elected to the Southern Football League. The club also entered English football's premier knockout competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, for the first time that same year. The club joined the Football League in 1920, and have competed there since then, achieving multiple league titles, promotions, and relegations.
This list encompasses the major honours won by Plymouth Argyle, records set by the club, their managers and their players. The player records section includes details of the club's leading goalscorers and those who have made most appearances in first-team competitions. It also records notable achievements by Plymouth Argyle players on the international stage, and the highest transfer fees paid and received by the club. Attendance records at Home Park, the club's ground since 1901, are also included in the list.
Honours
Plymouth Argyle have won multiple titles in domestic competition. They have won the third tier of English football four times, which is a record. In their second season as a professional club they won their first title, the Western League, in 1905. The club's most recent title came in 2004 when they won the Football League Second Division.
Domestic
League
Football League Second Division
Winners (1): 2003–04
Football League Third Division
Winners (2): 1958–59, 2001–02
Runners-up (2): 1974–75, 1985–86
Football League Third Division South
Winners (2): 1929–30, 1951–52
Runners-up (6): 1921–22, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27
Southern Football League
Winners (1): 1912–13
Runners-up (2): 1907–08, 1911–12
Western Football League
Winners (1): 1904–05
Runners-up (1): 1906–07
Cups
Football League Third Division Play-offs
Winners (1): 1996
Player records
Appearances
Plymouth Argyle's appearance record is held by Kevin Hodges, who played 620 times for the club over the course of 15 seasons from 1978 to 1992. Hodges also holds the records for appearances made in league, FA Cup, and League Cup competition. The player to have made the most appearances in the current squad is Luke McCormick, with 350 (including 4 as a substitute) as at 19 February 2022.
Most appearances in all competitions: Kevin Hodges, 620. Most League appearances: Kevin Hodges, 530. Most FA Cup appearances: Kevin Hodges, 39. Most League Cup appearances: Kevin Hodges, 35. Youngest first-team player: Freddie Issaka, 15 years and 34 days (against Newport County, 31 August 2021). Oldest first-team player: Peter Shilton, 44 years and 21 days (against Burnley, 9 October 1993). Oldest debutant: Peter Shilton, 42 years and 199 days (against Charlton Athletic, 4 April 1992). Longest-serving player: Kevin Hodges, 14 years and 71 days (from 1978 to 1992).
Most appearances
Competitive, professional matches only, appearances as substitute in brackets. Bold indicates still playing at the club.
Goalscorers
Plymouth Argyle's all-time leading goalscorer is Sammy Black, who scored 184 goals for the club over the course of 14 seasons from 1924 to 1938. Black also holds the record for goals scored in league competition. The records for goals scored in FA Cup and League Cup competition are held by Wilf Carter, and Sean McCarthy respectively.
Most goals in all competitions: Sammy Black, 184. Most league goals: Sammy Black, 176. Most FA Cup goals: Wilf Carter, 10. Most League Cup goals: Sean McCarthy, 8. Most goals in a season: Jack Cock, 32 (during the 1926–27 season). Most goals in one match: Wilf Carter, 5. Most hat-tricks in a season: Frank Richardson (1921–22), Jack Cock (1926–27), Wilf Carter (1957–58), 3. Most hat-tricks: Wilf Carter, 8. Highest-scoring substitute: Mickey Evans, 9. Most games without scoring for an outfield player: Jimmy Rae, 258. Fastest goal scored: Nick Chadwick (against Crystal Palace, 17 December 2005) and Onismor Bhasera (against AFC Wimbledon, 7 March 2012), 11 seconds.
Top goalscorers
Competitive, professional matches only. Matches played (including as substitute) appear in brackets.