Hore had Cornish granite in his boots and Pilgrims in his heart
Post by (ugg boots günstig) Dec 2010
Although John Hore may not have been in charge at Home Park during a period of outstanding league form, he could claim to be at the helm on one of the greatest days in the history of the Pilgrims.
A rugged Cornishman, he was known for his fierce but fair tackling and he became a familiar sight in the number two shirt in an age when each position corresponded to the shirt number.
Born in the china clay village of Foxhole in February 1947, he was discovered playing for East Cornwall Schools at the age of 17 by Ellis Stuttard who, at the time, was scouting for Argyle.
Apprentice forms were signed before his league debut was given by manager Malcolm Allison.
It was with the number three on his shirt as a left-back that he made his league bow. It came in a 3-1 defeat at Northampton Town in the old Second Division in the penultimate game of the 1964/65 season.
That was the first of 433 full appearances in Argyle colours and he was surrounded by great Argyle names such as Johnny Newman, Johnny Williams, Barrie Jones, Frank Lord, and other youngsters making their mark in the shape of Richard Reynolds and Nicky Jennings.
The fourth match of the next season saw him make Argyle history. It was the first campaign when the use of a substitute was permitted, but only in the event of one of the original XI being injured.
Thus, Hore became the first man to play in a number 12 shirt when he replaced Lord in a 1-1 draw at The Valley, the home of Charlton Athletic.
The next two campaigns saw him drift in and out of the side, but by the 1967/68 season he commanded a regular place in the starting line-up.
Unfortunately, that year Argyle were relegated to Division Three after interest in both cup competitions had ended at the first hurdle.
Derek Ufton had replaced Allison, but the new boss was only too aware of the emerging talent available at his disposal.
The playing squad broke up in an intense spell of transfer activity, but Hore was seen as an integral part of Argyle's future.
Before making the right-back berth his own, Hore was a formidable performer, known for his surging runs from midfield.
His appointment as captain for the 1969/70 season coincided with a remarkable run in the side as Hore missed only seven matches up to the end of the 1973/74 term.
It was during that season the Greens reached the semi-finals of the League Cup for the second time in the club's history.
Hore played in every match of a run that ended at the last-four stage in a two-legged affair against Manchester City.
The crowning season for Hore the player must have been 1974/75. Argyle finished runners-up in Division Three under the guidance of manager Tony Waiters.
Hore chipped in with four goals, featuring in all but three of the games that led to promotion.
In May 1975, Hore was awarded a well-deserved testimonial and a bumper attendance at Home Park with Liverpool the special guests.
Alas, the team struggled to get to grips with life back in the Second Division, and the emergence of Peter Darke led to Hore's subsequent transfer to local rivals Exeter City.
After hanging up his boots following four seasons and 221 appearances for the Grecians, he took his first steps in management when he was appointed to take charge of Western League side Bideford.
Silverware was not long in coming at the north Devon club in the shape of two consecutive championships. In addition, the Robins progressed to the first round proper of the FA Cup and a meeting with Barking.
Two years later, and this time at Home Park, Barking would form part of another special run in the cup.
With relations between Argyle and manager Bob Moncur becoming strained, Hore was named Pilgrims' manager during the 1983/84 season.
However, because of his relative lack of experience, he was not immediately offered any written terms. But at the season's end, just as he did as a player, he had won the hearts of the supporters – and in July signed a two-year contract.
For those who saw the matches of the great FA Cup run that ran well into 1984, moments were provided that would last a lifetime. Southend proved no walkover in the first round, and after defeating Barking there were further struggles with Newport County and Darlington.
Tommy Tynan gave Argyle the tag of giantkillers after securing victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Then, against all the odds, two gallant performances were concluded with a quarter-final replay win against Derby County at the Baseball Ground.
Graham Taylor's Watford cruelly ended the Greens' Wembley dream, with a George Reilly goal settling the semi-final at Villa Park.
However, in between FA Cup games, league form had dipped.
Just four victories in 21 outings saw Argyle staring relegation in the face. But in the closing stages of the season, Hore waved his magic wand to somehow steer the club away from the prospect of Fourth Division football.
Unfortunately, Hore survived just four months of the new season before he was replaced by Dave Smith.
After a short break from the game, he returned to Exeter to join the coaching staff and even took over the first team as caretaker manager, although he was overlooked when a permanent manager was appointed.
Hore went on to manage Torrington Town and also managed his own health and fitness club in Exeter.
In his 12 years as a player at Home Park, Hore made 400 league appearances, with just seven of those as a substitute. He added another 17 games in the FA Cup and 23 outings in the League Cup.
It was said his ankle-high boots were made of pure Cornish granite. Hore was reliable and could always be depended upon to give his best in every game.
His links with Argyle continue as he is regularly in the company of those enjoying match day hospitality at Home Park. To this day he is willing to talk with equal enthusiasm about anything Argyle related, mirroring his full-blooded commitment as a player.
Even for those too young to have seen him play, Hore is a true legend as generations pass on their recollections of one of the greatest to pull on a green shirt.
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