Plymouth Argyle: "Difficult" Simon Hallett ownership claim made amid fresh investment debate | OneFootball

FLW's Argyle fan pundit has stated what he would like to know from the current owner

It has been an extremely up-and-down return to League One for those with a Plymouth Argyle connection, and the same could be said with regards to the Greens' overall fortunes in recent seasons.

The Devon side finally returned to the Championship two seasons ago after a lengthy exile from the top two divisions of English football, which also included two separate spells in League Two.

After previously gaining a reputation as one of the country's most forward-thinking clubs, such viewpoints haven't exactly been as strong in the period which has followed, with Home Park seeing a revolving door of managers and head coaches ever since Steven Schumacher's initial departure to Stoke City in December 2023.

As a result, it is no surprise that a lot of the eyebrows which have been raised off the back of crucial decisions at Home Park have pointed in the direction of current owner, Simon Hallett.

With that in mind, Football League World asked our resident Argyle fan pundit, Luke Hodge, what is the one burning question he would like to pose to Hallett regarding the club's current predicament?

"Difficult" Plymouth Argyle stance offered regarding Simon Hallett and potential fresh investment

Hallett has overseen the fortunes of his boyhood club since the year of 2018 after a £3.25m investment saw him become the club's majority stakeholder at the time.

His power at Home Park only grew further in the summer of 2023 when he acquired a further 3.3 million shares from outgoing investors, Argyle Greens LLC, which took his stake in the Green Army right up to the 87 percent mark as the club looked to consolidate back in the Championship.

Despite having an approximate net worth of £66m, it is clear that Hallett is looking for an ownership structure similar to what has gone before in this part of Devon, although such prospects were dealt a crushing blow in May as, just weeks after the club returned to League One, a deal which would have seen him sell some of the aforementioned stake had fallen through.

The 59-year-old candidly outlined his next steps in the search for said investment. Yet, whilst the owner is admired by Hodge, he would like to know what is likely to occur in greater detail as soon as possible.

"In terms of one question I'd ask the club's owner right now, that's a really difficult one as I do like Simon Hallett and I think he's a really good owner that's got the club's best interests at heart," he told FLW.

"He's a fan - first and foremost - and I think he's very careful on what he does with the club moving forward.

"But, my one question would be: 'how is the investment situation looking at the moment'", Hodge stated.

"We all know that we do need investment for the club to progress. But, he wants to make sure it's the right investment, which is shrewd and the right thing to do.

"It would be nice to find out what the current situation is regarding the potential investment coming into the club."

Simon Hallett's shrewd business approach could serve Plymouth Argyle well

As Hodge alluded to, a rational way of thinking from Hallett in terms of outside investment is likely to be the wise approach, and one which isn't necessarily seen across all boardrooms in English football.

The current owner has divided opinion in recent times, although supporters will hope he has learned from his managerial mishaps such as Ian Foster and Wayne Rooney, and that Tom Cleverley is given ample time to turn the club's fortunes around after a mixed start to the campaign.

Argyle have shown in games exactly why they were among many people's picks for at least a top six spot, with the likes of Owen Oseni and Lorent Tolaj making immediate impressions following their summer moves, whilst also shooting themselves in the foot in other encounters - hence a current record of four wins and six defeats from ten games played.

Of course, if further investment was to come in sooner rather than later, it could help fund further transfers in the winter. However, it cannot prove to be a major distraction to on-pitch matters either.