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 8,500+ 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 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EXPECTING INTEREST
DEWSNIP IS BRACED FOR WHITTAKER OFFERS THIS SUMMER
Dates for your diary for Argyle's 2024/25 season
PLYMOUTH Argyle can look forward to a second consecutive season in the Championship after their dramatic 1-0 win against Hull City at Home Park on Saturday.
My special moment was ruined by a piece of history!
25 YEARS AGO, LEE PHILLIPS WAS UPSTAGED BY ‘THAT’ GLASS GOAL
Plympton Boys come from behind to win Cup
IN a thrilling showdown, the Year 10 boys team from Plympton Academy, a proud member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, achieved victory in the Plymouth Cup Final, prevailing 2-1 against their competitors.
Bowls gave me a new lease of life -Yearling
ALISON Yearling admits playing bowls changed her life after being diagnosed with a genetic eye condition in her 20s.
Deputy role for Kate Forbes as Swinney appoints cabinet
KATE Forbes has been appointed as John Swinney’s Deputy First Minister as the SNP leader assembles his Cabinet.
Sunak hit by defection of Elphicke over small boats
RISHI Sunak has been dealt a fresh blow after Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defected to Labour, hitting out at his “tired and chaotic Government”.
Three families of stab victims call for inquiry
THE families of the victims of triple killer Valdo Calocane have reiterated their calls for a public inquiry into the deaths, after the Court of Appeal heard a bid to change his sentence.
'No aid yet' as Israel reopens Gaza crossing
THE Israeli military said it has re- opened its Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, after days of closure, but the United Nations said no humanitarian aid has yet entered.
St Luke's opens new shop
HOSPICE WELCOMES FIRST CUSTOMERS TO IVYBRIDGE STORE
