RYAN Hardie is set to become just the 71st player in Plymouth Argyle history to reach 200 appearances for the club against Ryan Lowe's Preston North End at Home Park on Saturday.
It seems appropriate that Lowe will be there because the Scottish striker was first signed for the Pilgrims by him in January 2020. Hardie had made just two starts and five substitute appearances for Blackpool in League One after joining them from Rangers the previous summer.
His only goal for the Seasiders had come in a 5-1 home win against Morecambe in an EFL Trophy group stage game in front of not much more than 2,000 fans.
He was very much out of favour under then Blackpool boss Simon Grayson when Lowe watched Hardie play in a development squad match against Fleetwood Town.
The striker netted twice in that game, Lowe soon made the move to sign him on loan for Argyle and now, 199 appearances and 62 goals later, he has become one of the club's longest serving and popular players.
Hardie made a lot of his initial impact for the Pilgrims off he bench. He scored seven goals in five starts and eight substitute appearances up until the season was suspended in early March 2020, and later prematurely ended, due to the Covid pandemic.
This story is from the March 13, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 13, 2024 edition of The Herald.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Rising stars set to show worth
WIDE ARRAY OF TALENT WILL BE ON STAGE FOR A BIG NIGHT TO LOOK FORWARD TO
CLEVER DUSTER
NEW, GREAT-VALUE DACIA HYBRID STILL A SMART, SHARP CHOICE FOR FAMILIES
Gun licensing has to improve: PCC
COST INCREASE MUST MEAN BETTER SERVICE
Political intrigue of city man who laid foundations of NHS
Dr Mike Sheaff, a Research Fellow at the University of Plymouth and former councillor, reveals the story of a figure who set the early foundations for the NHS through his work in the city
Manhunt seeks suspect after fatal stabbing woman dies in street attack
DEVON and Cornwall Police yesterday released the name of the suspect being sought after the murder of a woman in West Hoe, Plymouth, on Wednesday night.
MORGAN'S LATE SHOW
STRIKER 'WAS NOT THERE' FOR BURNLEY EMBARRASSMENT
UK 'not seeking' to sign up to Europe trade pact
A GOVERNMENT Minister has ruled out the UK joining a pan-European agreement to bolster post-Brexit trade. Matthew Pennycook said the Government was \"not seeking\" to participate in the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention (PEM).
Trump's fire aid threat
UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold federal disaster aid for wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles unless California leaders change the state's approach on its management of water.
Elected mayor would be too powerful to be good
THE possibility of a referendum for an elected mayor (Herald, January 23) seems like an obvious answer. However I would be voting against the proposal.
Tavi are sympathetic but Manor Farm left furious at call-off
TAVISTOCK manager Stuart Henderson had sympathy for both the match referee and opponents Bristol Manor Farm as their Southern League Division One South match was abandoned due to thick fog on Wednesday night.