Plymouth Argyle landed one-time transfer gold after Bristol City decision | OneFootball

Bobby Decordova-Reid proved a masterstroke signing for Plymouth Argyle in 2014

Plymouth Argyle have been up and down the divisions a lot in the last decade or so, competing in the Championship as recently as 2025 and League Two as recently as 2020.

The Pilgrims were close to a great escape in the second tier last year under Miron Muslic, but were unable to avoid the drop.

The Devon outfit finished one point outside of the bottom three, with the team left with too much to do in too little time.

Since 2010, Plymouth have either been relegated or promoted on seven occasions, only maintaining their league status nine times in that same period.

Their longest stint in one league in this era came from 2011 to 2016 when they competed in League Two, but even then they twice reached the play-offs in the two years before going up to League One.

It has made for a very exciting time for supporters, even if the disappointment of relegation has stung on four occasions since they suffered the drop from the Championship in 2010.

Bristol City deal kickstarted Plymouth Argyle turnaround

Plymouth suffered back-to-back relegations from the Championship down to League Two in 2010 and 2011.

Two 21st place finishes in their first two years in the fourth tier has the club on the brink of falling out of the EFL.

The Pilgrims bounced back by finishing mid-table in 2014, but it wasn’t until 12 months later that they were really on the right track again when they reached the play-offs with a seventh-place finish.

The 2014 summer transfer window proved important for the club, with several important first team players arriving that helped bridge the gap from 10th to seventh.

But one in particular stands out in Bobby Decordova-Reid, who arrived on loan from Bristol City.

The then-winger proved an electric presence in attack, contributing three goals and 10 assists as the team competed for promotion to League One.

While his loan stint was broken up due to an injury issue, he still earned his place as a regular presence in John Sheridan’s side.

Only Reuben Reid and Lewis Alessandra had more goal contributions in the league in 2014/15 for the Pilgrims, as the winger cut his teeth at senior level in a serious way after brief loan spells at Cheltenham Town and Oldham Athletic.

This was Decordova-Reid’s first opportunity to really show what he can do at senior level, and he delivered in spades.

Plymouth ultimately suffered the disappointment of losing in the play-offs to Wycombe Wanderers, but the success of that campaign put them on the path back to League One, and then the Championship.

Plymouth loan was essential development for Bobby Decordova-Reid

Perhaps the highlight of De Cordova-Reid’s spell at Plymouth came on the final day of the campaign.

His third minute strike opened the scoring in a 2-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town that sealed a top seven finish in the standings ahead of Luton Town, with just three points separating the sides.

With the Hatters winning 2-0 against Stevenage, the Pilgrims needed a result from the game, and De Cordova-Reid ensured that Sheridan’s side had little to worry about in terms of clinching a place in the play-offs.

He signed off with the defeat to Wycombe, returning to Bristol City that summer following the conclusion of his loan spell.

This loan proved quite important for his development, as he went straight back into the Robins’ first team squad for 2015/16, contributing two goals and three assists from 28 appearances in the Championship.

After three impressive campaigns at Ashton Gate, he moved on to Cardiff City in a deal worth £10 million.

He established himself as a Premier League star, competing at that level for the Bluebirds, as well as Fulham and Leicester City.

But Plymouth will always remember him for his role in their play-off push in League Two, where he first showed the world what he can do.