Sturrock has mixed emotions

By [rmetcalf] rupert metcalf at home park

PAUL Sturrock has mixed feelings about the restructuring of Plymouth Argyle's board of directors, which was announced yesterday by the Coca-Cola Championship football club.

Paul Stapleton has stepped down as chairman, to be replaced by Sir Roy Gardner, while Japanese director Yasuaki Kagami is now the largest single shareholder in the Pilgrims. Kagami's business partner George Synan has joined the board, as has Argyle supporter Keith Todd.

Stapleton was on the board when Sturrock started his first spell as manager in 2000, and he was chairman when the Scotsman led the Devon team to the Nationwide League Third Division title two years later.

Sturrock said: "It's a bit sad, because I had a relationship with the old board. We've been very successful in all the years that they've been in charge.

"We've gone up two leagues in that time, and I'm pleased that the old board is going to amalgamate with the new board that is coming in. Hopefully, it will make the club stronger."

Sturrock has been kept in touch with boardroom developments during recent months – in contrast to the change of power at the club in 2001, when Stapleton took over from Dan McCauley as chairman.

"Last time, it was a day before when I was told what the story was, but this time I have known what has been happening most of the time," he said. "Keith and Sir Roy have been in contact, and so have George and the old board."

If the deal to bring in new men in the boardroom had fallen through, it is understood that Sturrock's playing budget for the coming campaign would have taken a big hit. He is waiting to hear how it will be revised, but he is not expecting huge sums to be made available to him before he has cut the size of his squad.

"We have to be realistic," he said. "The chairman has made it plain that there has to be a sensibility first. We have to get the ship on an even keel, and then we can kick on from there. I'm quite receptive to that. I've lived with budgets in the past, and I appreciate that we are over-budget."

Recruitment is on the agenda, though. Talks with Gardner about new signings are planned. The manager added: "I'm going to have a chat with the new chairman, and find out what the story is about bringing players in.

"I'd like to get some new men in soon, but that has to go hand in hand with getting players out."

Sturrock took a break from the second day of pre-season training to attend yesterday's boardroom announcements. When he was asked about the shape his players were in, he replied: "In this day and age, not many of them come back out of condition.

"A couple of them need a wee top-up, and they will be slapped about in the next couple of days. I'm sure we'll be up to full speed much quicker than I expected."