Major Home Park change for Plymouth Argyle? Simon Hallett thinks not | OneFootball

Simon Hallett has outlined his latest Plymouth Argyle plans in a fans' forum

Plymouth Argyle owner Simon Hallett and CEO Paul Berne provided supporters with a series of updates in a fans' forum on Thursday.

Argyle endured a woeful first half of the season, but resurgent form since the turn of the year has seen the Devon outfit put themselves in play-off contention.

Boss Tom Cleverley will soon turn his attention to the summer transfer window, and has eyed permanent deals for current loan stars Wes Harding, Alex Mitchell, and Owen Dale.

Meanwhile, Plymouth attackers Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple are hot prospects, who the League One side could struggle to retain ahead of next season.

The transfer window is not the only matter that Hallett and Berne have on their plate, though, as they look to shape a positive future for the Home Park club.

Plymouth Argyle board reveal stance on safe standing at Home Park

The UK Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport announced in 2022 that safe standing would be allowed at football clubs, subject to licensing criteria.

Since that legislation was passed, several EFL clubs, some of whom formerly had all-seater stadiums, have introduced standing sections at their respective grounds.

Some supporters prefer standing to sitting while supporting their side, so the change was widely well-received.

Meanwhile, discussing whether Plymouth would introduce safe standing to Home Park, Berne told fans at Thursday's forum: "The romantic in me loves the idea of safe standing. The challenge is, it would be costly to implement with no real upside. As much as I like the idea of it, it's not where we want to put our money."

Some Argyle fans may be disappointed by Berne's answer, as safe-standing sections can enhance matchday atmosphere.

However, many supporters will understand that there are better ways for an ambitious club who spent the last two seasons in the Championship to spend their money.

Simon Hallett must back Tom Cleverley in the summer transfer window

Hallett and Berne, as well as the rest of Argyle's board, deserve great credit for sticking by Cleverley, even when they were in relegation form earlier in the season.

They have been rewarded for their loyalty to the former Watford boss, as his stewardship has brought the Devon outfit into the play-off picture at the business end of the season.

Meanwhile, speaking to Plymouth Live, Cleverley revealed that he wants to sign Harding, Dale, and Mitchell permanently, following their respective loans from Millwall, Oxford United, and Charlton Athletic.

Signing the on-loan trio is not the only business Argyle must complete this summer.

Prolific forwards Pepple and Tolaj have both been eyed by Celtic, as reported by the Daily Mail, and losing either player would leave Cleverley needing to reshuffle his frontline.

Celtic's interest could be particularly hard to stave off, as the Glasgow giants have aspirations of returning to their usual standards next term, and could be able to offer Champions League football.

Argyle owner Hallett must give Cleverley the funds he needs to continue the positive momentum he has established at Home Park, including allowing the permanent acquisitions of Mitchell, Dale, and Harding.