Plymouth vs Liverpool: Pilgrims hero Tommy Tynan warns Reds stars they will be out of their comfort zone at Home Park
Former Reds youth player drives a taxi these days but FA Cup semi-final memories of 1984 drive the Argyle legend on, too
THE life of a Plymouth legend is a bit different to that of Liverpool’s worldwide ambassador Michael Owen.
Chances are that if the Liverpool great makes his way to Home Park for Wednesday's third round FA Cup replay, he will be picked up in a taxi driven by Tommy Tynan.
The former Argyle forward is a hero in the West Country, part of local football folklore after scoring 145 goals in 310 appearances for the Pilgrims.
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But Tynan, now 61, said: “I’m happy driving my taxi. When I packed up my playing career there wasn’t an industry around here to fall into.
“If I don’t get out of the house, I don’t work and I don’t get paid, it’s as simple as that. This is how I earn my living and I’m happy doing it.
“Nearly every person who gets into my taxi wants to talk football and it will be no different on Wednesday.
“Even after all these years it is still nice to be appreciated by Plymouth supporters.
“I love the club and it’s still a big part of my life.
“I’m sure I would be an ambassador for Plymouth if it was possible, but money is tight in League Two.
“Every penny that comes into the club goes towards the players’ wages and keeping the club afloat.”
Argyle fans hold on to memories of their dreamy run to the FA Cup semi-finals in 1984.
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The Pilgrims were in Division Three at the time, managed by John Hore, as they got past West Brom and Derby before Graham Taylor’s Watford beat them 1-0 at Villa Park.
Tynan, on the books of Liverpool after being signed as a trainee by Bill Shankly, will be at Home Park to watch them face the Reds.
He added: “Liverpool have got such a strong side but they are used to some of the best facilities around. The away dressing room at Plymouth has barely changed in 30 years and they are going to get a shock when they walk in there.
“When I played there was barely enough room for 11 players plus manager, physio and one or two subs.
“These days there is a whole army of people and they will not be able to cram them all in to such a small space. Liverpool will have to deal with that.
“The playing surface will suit them because it has always been immaculate but the atmosphere will be a bit different. The place will be rocking and it will be a bit of a throwback for some of them.”
Nearly 35,000 watched the 1984 side face Derby in the quarter-finals. They drew, but went on to win the replay a few days later.
Tynan said: “It was an incredible journey but these players have the chance to make their own history.
“They got a fantastic result up at Anfield and the whole town has come alive. Tickets went within hours — they could easily have sold 35,000 again but the ground capacity is nowhere near what it was.”
Argyle are making steady progress under Derek Adams, emerging from the dark days of administration.
Tynan added: “Things are settled but they have only just started paying transfer fees again.”
Tynan would be worth a fortune in the modern game, a guaranteed goalscorer in an era when players like that are at a premium.
As ever, he will be more than happy to write out a receipt.