Williamson enjoyed the perfect start to life with Argyle

20 YEARS AGO, THE PILGRIMS WERE LEAGUE ONE CHAMPIONS

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

BOBBY Williamson holds a unique place in Plymouth Argyle history after the Pilgrims secured a promotion and league title in his very first match after being appointed as manager and yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of that memorable moment.

A crowd of 19,888 packed into Home Park on Saturday, April 24, 2004 and saw the Pilgrims beat Ian Holloway's Queens Park Rangers 2-0 to pip the visitors to top spot in Division Two (now referred to as League One) after goals from Mickey and David Friio.

Evans Even 20 years on, the commentary by the late, great Gordon Sparks on BBC Radio Devon of Friio's goal remains fresh in the memory of many who were at the Theatre of Greens that afternoon. "Two-nil, that's it, Argyle are up, Sparksy summed it up in an instant.

Former Kilmarnock and Hibernian boss Williamson had taken charge of the Pilgrims only a few days earlier. He was appointed after a 4-1 defeat away to Oldham Athletic on the previous Saturday, bringing to an end a nine-match spell with coach Kevin Summerfield as caretaker manager following the departure of Paul Sturrock to then Premier League club Southampton at the start of March.

Williamson was introduced to the Green Army before kick-off against QPR and 90 minutes of football later he could add a league title to his CV! Now aged 62 and living in Kenya, he recalled the events of that day, and his 16 months at Home Park, in an interview with Herald Sport.

Williamson said: "What I remember is the atmosphere was electric and we won the game against QPR, who were also a very good team managed by Ian Holloway at the time. That was a tremendous day, and the day afterwards in the Civic Centre was fantastic as well.

"I remember the goals. 'Chucky' Norris crossed the ball in from the right and big Trigger scored. David Friio got the other one. The game kind of passed me by because I was taking in the fans' commitment and passion.