IT looks like clubs like ourselves will, from next season, be subject to the same transfer-window rules and regulations that currently apply to the Premier League.

We have received notification, along with all Football League clubs, that FIFA have decided now that the dispensation clubs in our league were previously given will not apply now from the summer.

So it looks likely that, come the end of this season, the window will open until the end of August, then it will close, and open again on January 1 for a month. No transfers of any description, even loan transfers, will be allowed unless they are concluded within the transfer windows: cross-border, domestic, it makes no difference. That could have a huge impact on the clubs' financial positions.

It will mean managers and coaches will have to plan their squads in advance of the season. The difficulty is that clubs in the division we are in work on a very tight budget. There's nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't give you a great deal of leeway in the winter if you end up having a couple of injuries. Before, you have been able to supplement your squad by bringing in loan players. That will not to be available to us.

Also, clubs have had the ability, if their financial positions worsened for whatever reason during the season, to sell a player. If clubs were in the enviable situation of having cash available and they wanted to strengthen their squad, then they could do that.

It might be suggested that clubs will have to have bigger squads but I think budgetary control would preclude that from happening. We're all in the same boat. Nobody has an advantage over Argyle and Argyle has no advantage over other clubs.

My view has always been: why mend something that was not really broken? I
couldn't see anything wrong with the transfer system we had. It created an awful lot of interest, stimulated debate, both in the Press and amongst supporters. Unscrupulous agents will still be working in the background to try and unsettle players in readiness for the window to open.

The only upside, and it is a very small, one, is it does tend to take pressure off clubs who are not doing too well to give in to fans asking them to get the cheque book out. That temptation will be withdrawn. I could see no reason whatsoever for the whole issue to change, but if we have to comply with it, we will adjust accordingly and get on with it.

FROM Thursday, February 24, we are going to introduce a Player Lunch in our
marquee. It is an opportunity for supporters to come within Home Park and meet with our playing staff. I've spoken to Bobby Williamson about it and he and the
chairman are keen to continue this sort of interaction between the club and fans. Supporters will be able to come along, and enjoy the hospitality of the marquee, and the players will dine with them. It gives them an opportunity to get autographs, have photographs taken with them.

I'm certain it will be well received, and if it is, we will do one every month. The price will be a competitively-priced £16.95 for a three-course meal, and I'm certain, knowing Argyle fans, there will quite an interest. Anyone interested can book through the club's corporate hospitality department will be happy to take their bookings."

Home tickets are now on sale for the rest of the season to White and
Pilgrim members, on production of their membership card.

Ticket Office Opening Times
THE ticket-office will no longer be open on Thursdays before a home match. On Friday before home matches, it will now be open from 9.30am to 8pm. All collections for home match tickets will still be from reception at the club offices until 1pm on the day of the match. From 1pm until kick-off, collections will be from the old ticket-office beside the main gate. There are now two collection points here, as well as three programme sale windows.

Monday to Friday - 9.30am-5pm
Friday before a home match - 9.30am-8pm
Saturday, non-home match-day - 9am-2pm
Saturday, home match-day - 9am-3pm. We will also open for a short time after
the match.
Sunday - Closed"