Plymouth Argyle new signing Alex Hartridge has described the club as “massive” after completing his move to Home Park, but an Exeter City support has suggested he’ll be ’roundly booed’ next season.
The 27-year-old defender has joined Argyle on a two-year contract following his departure from Burton Albion, becoming the Pilgrims’ first signing of the summer.
Hartridge has strong links with Devon, having come through Exeter City’s academy before going on to make 172 appearances across 2 spells at St James Park. However, he has now crossed the Devon divide after agreeing a permanent move to Plymouth.
Speaking to ArgyleTV, Hartridge said getting the move done early had helped him go into pre-season with clarity.
“For different reasons I’ve gone into an off-season break without really knowing where I’ll be reporting to come the end of June.
“This has gone perfectly, having a couple of weeks to make this decision, and then a month to be settled here, ready for what comes. A day like today gets me excited for the start of August, but also just getting back and being in and around it again.”
Hartridge Explains Plymouth Argyle Appeal
Hartridge said returning to Devon was a major factor, but he also made clear that the scale of Argyle played a key role in his decision.
“It’s quite surreal. Being around the club today, the connection I’ve got to the area, and how much I know about Argyle means it’s a huge deal for me.
“Devon is home for me; the South West is home for my partner, so it’s a place we love, and we miss when we are not there. Being back down here was a huge draw, as well as the football club.”
Hartridge also acknowledged his Exeter past, saying the Devon derby was among his standout memories from his time with the Grecians.
“The standout moments [at Exeter] beyond the promotion, was playing the games against Argyle, so it’s a rivalry I’m fully aware of and two clubs I know really well.
“The size of this club is something that I’ve known about forever, and it’s a real draw. I thought about the connection I’ve got with Exeter, and what will come because of that, but that’s something I’m looking forward to embracing.”
Hartridge’s move comes amidst rumours that if Lorent Tolaj leaves Plymouth, they could target striker Jayden Wareham, himself a Grecian at present. However, Football Lowdown spoke to Exeter City fan John Heddon, who suggests that there is little chance of that.
“Al joining Plymouth is hard to take. It felt like a Bristol Rovers-type move was on the cards, so to go to that lot is a blow. Anyone who leaves the red and white and ends up in green will be roundly booed, and rightly so.
“There is talk of Wareham, but they won’t get him. They’re asking £10m for Tolaj, aren’t they? They’ll be lucky to get five, and Wareham will cost that. He’s a more rounded player than Tolaj and I’m not sure he would fit Plymouth’s plan of sticking a load of big men up front and bullying weaker defenders.
“There is no worry here on that front. Good luck to Al (Hartridge) with his next move, but not this one.”
Of course, he’ll only be roundly booed if the two sides meet, and following the Grecians’ relegation, that does seem unlikely, unless their paths cross in a cup. One can’t imagine a lot of vitriol for a Vertu Trophy Group Stage game, but you never know.
