On a lighter note. Argyle have an important place in history with instances of this nature. On 03 January 1959 the Argyle party journeyed to Tranmere Rovers for a Third Division fixture. There had been prolonged rain in Lancashire (no Merseyside then) and when the team coach arrived almost half of the slightly sloping ground was under four inches of water. Tranmere had played their local derby with Wrexham on New Years Day and many thought it was unfit then. The ground had been rolled immediately after the Wrexham game, effectively sealing off the drainage. Football League rules meant that only the match referee could decide and he was not required to be there until 90 minutes before the scheduled start. Opposing teams had to travel no matter what. Argyle Chairman Ron Blindell wrote a strongly worded to the League and copied it to the FA. This is credited as the move that introduced pre-travel inspections by a locally based first class referee, after FA Secretary Stanley Rous promised to review the system. Quote of the day: As the players were taken by coach to Anfield to watch Liverpool play Sunderland Alex Govan told the Sunday Independent's Spectator: "Bloody shame that; today was going to be my best game of the season."
