Fox on whirlwind return to Argyle

Five days short of the four-year anniversary of his 142nd and final game for Argyle, David Fox returned to Home Park.

It was 29 April, 2023. Argyle were playing Burton Albion, and promotion from Sky Bet League One was a real possibility. Fox, and his young son, attended the game, and watched with delight as a Niall Ennis goal secured a return to the second tier.

Eight days afterwards, Argyle won 3-1 at Port Vale to clinch the title. Fox was in the press box, on co-commentary for Argyle TV, his delight at his former club’s ascent evident in his voice.

Fast forward to the present day, and Fox is the man charged with helping to mastermind a repeat of that feat.

Argyle’s relegation, confirmed two weeks ago, means the Greens will be playing League One football again next season, but they will take on the challenge of the 2025/26 season with Fox installed as the new Head of Football Operations.

Soon after he left Argyle as a player, Fox started learning his new trade with Huddersfield Town, working with their Academy, unpaid, as a loans manager, then graduating to a similar, paid role in the Terriers’ first team.

While his Huddersfield job title indicates his involvement with the temporary ins and outs of players, in truth his remit was being cast wider, with scouting, working with analysts and sitting in on board meetings all featuring. 

This experience, his past association with Argyle, and his level-headed, hard-working temperament, seem to lend themselves perfectly to this new role at Home Park. Indeed, the advancement of the football club in his time away, can also be factored in.

“It feels amazing,” said Fox, in his first interview with Argyle TV. “It's been a whirlwind few weeks for sure.

“[My role is to make sure that] everyone that kicks a ball for Plymouth Argyle does so in a way that is aligned with what we want: that is, a successful team out on the pitch. 

“It's the operational side of things, the day-to-day, the logistical side of things and ensuring that everyone – staff, players - is aligned with the club's vision, which is obviously a successful Plymouth Argyle.

“I think the big thing for me is that this isn't the club that I left six years ago. It's very much a different club. In terms of scale, size, infrastructure - everything about the place is massive. It's much bigger.

"I knew that, because it's not like I've not been here in the past six years. I've been to games. I've experienced that. I've seen the growth from the outside. Now I get to be part of that as well.

“I brought my lad down to the Burton game when we got promoted a few years ago, and that was the first time I'd come back to Home Park. This was different; the stand was up and running and other little things, like the club shop; it just struck me just how different it was. 

“It wasn't just a few members of staff out of a Portacabin, which unfortunately that's how it was. The club had gone through a really tough period, with the administration, and it was just starting to find its legs again when I was around. It has rocketed since then. 

“I knew that, and it really struck me that time. The place was successful, it was bouncing, but there was a different feel about it. I want to try and capture that and bring that back again. 

“I've seen a lot of really good things work. If you link everything together, it can create real success. I've enjoyed dealing with the non-playing side staff and their ideas.

“I don't think just because you're a footballer, you have this divine right to be successful after football. I think you've got to work at it. You've got to be open to new ideas and working with new staff. I've done that for a few years now and I've enjoyed it.” 

Officially reporting this week, Fox has been a whirlwind around Home Park, re-familiarising himself with the place, learning faces and names, and more importantly getting to know key people around the football club. One of his first actions was to speak with Head Coach Miron Muslic, and there has also been a lot of dialogue with Tom Randle, who has been working for several weeks as an interim Head of Recruitment, and whose appointment was made permanent this week.

“It's important that, starting today, we really crack on. We're making sure that we can put a team out on the field that everyone's proud of,” said Fox. 

“I've spoken to Miron, had a really good conversation with him. I’ve had conversations with Tom (Randle) and joined-up thinking between everyone in the first team.

“We have our aims and our goals for this season, and we need to make sure that everyone's aligned in that. We've just been relegated; you can't get away from that fact.

“There's a lot of really good stuff in place. I'm just looking forward to getting to meet everyone now. Meeting staff from all the various departments. A few of them I know, but there's a few that I'm looking forward to getting to meet as well.

“The calendar is getting filled up with meetings, getting to know how everyone works, getting to know what's important to people, their backgrounds and where they want to be.”

Watch the full 15-minute interview on Argyle TV for free.