Plymouth Vanguard

This season will stay with the us for a long time. Not because of how it ended, but because of everything it proved along the way. A 7-1 regular season, built on grit, discipline, and belief, reshaped what this club is and what we expect of ourselves.

Week after week, the defence showed who they were: organised, relentless, and proud. That wasn’t an accident. It was hours of work, trust in each other, and a refusal to let standards slip.

Our offence grew into its identity, finding rhythm, toughness, and an ability to answer when the moment demanded it.

Then came the semi‑final. Ipswich. A one‑point loss. The kind of game that doesn’t just sting - it stays. Because it was right there. Because every player left everything on the field. Because the margins were as thin as they can be in football.

It hurt because it mattered.

But that pain is proof of progress. Proof that this team is no longer hoping to compete - it does compete. Proof that we belong in games like that, and will be back in them again.

This season changed the club. It set a new standard.

I am hugely proud of you all.

The Vanguard are not a team on the rise anymore.

We are a team that has arrived.

Mark Tregonning-Thomas
PV Head Coach

The loss on Sunday to the Cardinals still stings and I know that every single Vanguard player still feels it and questions “what if”.

However, this team has been in the league for 2 years, with an incredible list of accolades:

- Making the league division semi-finals in only our second season
- Getting promoted to Division One on the back of that
- 59 points conceded across 10 games on Defence
- More than 50% of our team have never played the sport before
- 5 new coaches getting qualified this year

I couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved. Yes we missed out on playing for the national championship, but the fact that we knew we could go that far shows the belief, drive and determination that everyone on this Vanguard program.

I can’t wait to see how strong this group will be after another pre-season.

I’m all in and I know that those who wear Vanguard Green are, too.

Jos Tector
- PV Chair & Co-Founder



tdownuk // insidebritball

The 2026 season has wrapped, now onto preparing for the 2027 season in division one.

Reach out to register your interest and we can answer any questions you may have about our rookie days.

The Vanguard are locked in for today’s semi-final. Score and game updates will be on our Instagram story, as usual.

📸 - tom.anthony.media

Defensive Captain, Middle Linebacker, #1 Joby Wolfenden-Brown:

“Being Captain of this team since the beginning has been amazing. To be on a team this new, and to have a continuous group of players all fighting for the same goal has been special; vets from all over and rookies, all striving to be as good as they can be at every session.

We have put in so much work this year as a team and it’s been paying off on the field. Last year was an injury filled year, but this year people are truely seeing what Vanguard football is all about, a whole team, that will fight for every inch, every yard, and we have absolutely no quit.”

Wolf is sponsored by Absolute Health and Fitness

📸 - tom.anthony.media

Offensive Lineman #69 Joe Olive, ahead of Sunday.

“Reaching the playoffs as a 34 year old rookie has been nothing short of fantastic!

All those cold, wet, miserable Sundays in pre-season have led us to this. We have earned our place here and I am immensely proud to have been part of it.”

This Sunday, kick off at 2pm in Ipswich.

Updates will be posted on our Instagram story.

Defensive Lineman #90 Dom Connor on his second competitive year with Vanguard:

“It’s been a huge turn around for the entire team from last season, We’ve all worked so hard on and off the pitch all season long, so it’s now time to show everyone that we deserve to be here!”

Team Captain and Quarterback #11 Matt Sayer, ahead of our semi-final matchup against the Ipswich Cardinals;

“Months of training. Four quarters to show it. One Semi-final. This is our time. Let’s get to work.”