Ten years is a long time in football, especially if you're a Plymouth Argyle player, coach or fan.

Back in the 2006-07 season, they had finished 11th in the second tier and the best was yet to come as they ended up 10th the year after.

However, an over reliance on England winning the 2018 World Cup host bid in their ground redevelopment and general finances left them struggling with money when the eventual vote went in favour of Russia, and they plummeted through the divisions to League Two.

They were minutes from going out of business for good, which would have meant the city of Plymouth would have been the biggest in Europe to not have a professional football club.

That would have been disastrous, before local businessman James Brent bought out the club. There's mixed emotions about him in Britain's Ocean City, but no one can deny he saved the football club.

Under the management of Derek Adams, he's guided Argyle back to Wembley and they are currently sat top of League Two, five points clear. Because of the financial crisis, the club have had to rely on free transfers for most of the last ten years.

Here, in the opinion of FLW's Ryan Evans, are THREE of the best Plymouth bargain buys of the last ten years...

 

Yannick Bolasie

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Many non-Argyle fans forget that the now talented Everton wide man once graced the Home Park stage, and in total made 52 appearances during his three years there.

He enjoyed successful loan spells at Rusden & Diamonds and Barnet, but Bolasie was destined for bigger and better things, and it wasn't long before Bristol City came calling in June 2011.

He's gone on to play for Crystal Palace and of course the Toffees in the Premier League, moving to Merseyside for a massive £25 million, some of which filtered down the system in the benefit of the Devon club, where he had a lot of his development.

At 27-years-old, he may have hit his peak a bit later than usual, but has the potential to frighten Premier League defenders for years to come.

Conor Hourihane

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Current Barnsley captain Conor Hourihane has started this Sky Bet Championship campaign in inspired form, winning player of the month for August and already has three goals and five assists to his name.

His highlights included a goal and an assist in the opening day defeat to Ipswich and two assists as they carved apart Derby.

The Tykes have been a bit of a surprise package this season, but despite not having won in four look a decent outfit and a lot of that is thanks to the incredible form of Hourihane.

He signed for Argyle back in July 2011, making 141 appearances and netting 16 times.

Eventually, money talked for the financially troubled Pilgrims back in the summer of 2014, when they lost him thanks to a £250,000 bid from then League One Barnsley, after a highly impressive 2013-14 where he missed just one game all season.

Graham Carey

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Signed for a free from Ross County in the summer of 2015, Graham Carey went from strength to strength during his first season at Home Park, and has started the 2016-17 campaign in a similar fashion.

In fact, he was voted League Two player of the season last time around after 12 goals and 16 assists, and already has four goals and another assist to add to his Argyle tally in this campaign.

He is simply amazing to watch, and his new position at wide midfield allows him to use his skill and surprisingly decent pace to terrorise the full-backs on whatever flank he is utilised.

There's no doubt that if Plymouth capitalise on their promise and finally win promotion, then the Irishman will play a huge role in that.

Plymouth fans, what do you think? Are these the best three bargains that the Pilgrims have signed in the last ten years? Are there any others you would add to this list? Let us know your opinion below!