Argyle's Green Army flock to Manchester for FA Cup

Thousands of Plymouth Argyle fans are heading to Manchester hoping to watch their team cause another FA Cup shock.

The Championship side take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the fifth round, with the game kicking off at 17:45 GMT.

Tickets for Argyle fans have sold out with the club confirming 7,800 supporters will make the 280-mile (450.6km) trip to the reigning Premier League champions.

Some of the Green Army said they were optimistic another shock would follow their win over Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round, but they would enjoy the day whatever happened.

Fans heading up to Manchester went to Home Park at about 07:00 GMT where 10 coaches were waiting for them.

Among the supporters who got up early for the trip was Ian Lobb, vice-chairman of the Plymouth Argyle Cornwall Supporters' Club.

"We're going to have a sea of green and white all the way across the stand," he said.

"I think it's going to put the atmosphere back into a big stadium."

Harry Pearse was another fan catching one of the coaches up to the Etihad.

He predicted a 3-2 win for Argyle, but said the journey was more than just about the final score.

Mr Pearse said: "Football's a results-based business, but there's always so much more than the match.

"It's about getting with a load of your mates and travelling up to the game together, soaking up the atmosphere before the match and enjoying the trip."

Tristan Bannister, a member of the North Devon Greens supporters group, said he and his wife Claire booked their train ticket and hotel before even getting their hands on a ticket.

The Westward Ho! couple managed to eventually bag a ticket in the away end and will be joined by several others from their supporter group.

Mr Bannister, who was set to leave home at 07:30 GMT to head to Manchester, said the tie had been the main topic of conversation since the draw was made.

He said everyone travelling to Manchester would have a good time even if the match ended in a defeat.

"Any Argyle away game is brilliant and a great atmosphere," he said.

"Come win, lose or draw, you have a great time."

He added the fans knew the side probably had bigger priorities to worry about as they battled to avoid being relegated from the Championship.

Mr Bannister said: "In a game like this, we're not expected to win so Hull City on Tuesday is arguably the bigger game for us, that's the one we have to win."

Stand-up comedian and famous Argyle fan Josh Widdicombe echoed Mr Bannister's thoughts ahead of the game.

Widdicombe joked City, who are fourth in the Premier League and 20 points behind leaders Liverpool, needed the cup run more than Argyle, especially after Real Madrid knocked them out of the Champions League.

"I think the problem with this game is - and I can't believe I'm saying this - Real Madrid haven't done us a favour," he said.

"We've actually got more to play for in the rest of our season than Man City.

"If a team was going to rest players, strangely it should be us because we should be more focused on the league, so there's actually more in this for Man City than us."

The Last Leg star added he would not be able to get to the stadium as he will be performing in Chipping Norton, with the gig due to start at about the same time the game finishes.

However, he said he would be watching the match before the gig and would not appear on stage until the final whistle.

The comedian said: "The best thing for the show is that we lose because then I'll be able to go [on stage] on time."

An Argyle fan who is making the trip to the Etihad is Julie Cardell, who attends every match Miron Muslic's team plays.

She said she was nervous but excited at the same time and believes City will put out a stronger side than Liverpool did in the fourth round.

"I think they'll have seen that Liverpool game against Argyle and realise they've got to put out a better team," she said.

"I think City's bench will be strong, just in case."

Aaron Cowley is also travelling up to Manchester from Devon to watch the game, but from the opposite side of the stands as he supports City.

The Torquay resident said he thought City would play a strong team including star striker Erling Haaland as the FA Cup is the club's best chance of winning a trophy this season.

He added: "The result isn't a forgone conclusion and Plymouth have got every chance of winning.

"I want City to win, it doesn't matter who they're playing against.

"But it's nice to see them play against Plymouth because realistically, is it going to happen again in our life times? Quite possibly not."

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