Ellis Stuttard was installed as the new manager of Plymouth Argyle in 1970 and went on to spend two years in charge at the club. He guided the Pilgrims to an eighth position finish at the end of the 1971 – 1972 campaign as Tony Waiters took charge at the club in the year 1972, going on to spend five years in charge at the club.
Waiters guided Plymouth Argyle back into o the second division at the end of the 1974 – 1975 campaign as they finished it off in a very impressive second position. They also reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, suffering defeat to Everton in the competition.
Waiter’s Plymouth Argyle side struggled as a second division outfit and ultimately suffered relegation back in to the third division in 1977. Mike Kelly took charge at the club during the 1977 – 1978 season and he watched his side slump down the league in to a disappointing 19th position finish. Malcolm Allison took over in charge for a season before Bobby Saxton was installed as the new manager in the year 1979. They crashed out of the third round of the league cup at the end of the 1979 – 1980 season, suffering defeat against Wimbledon.