IT'S been quite a year for Plymouth Argyle's Luke Young.

During that time the former Ivybridge Community College student secured a regular place in the first team for a large part of season, scored his first two professional goals and won the Pilgrims young player of the year award.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Luke attended Southway Primary School and, after signing centre of excellence forms with Argyle at the age of nine, he went on to join Ivybridge Community College, due to their excellent academic and sporting track record.

The football set-up at the college is linked with Argyle, and Luke became a key figure in the academy sides.

During his time at the college, Luke was coached by Dave Leonard and described the training as fun, enjoyable and versatile.

From leaving school, Luke continued in his quest to become a professional footballer with Argyle in their youth set-up.

A period of administration, which stretched from 2010 into the first few months of last season, meant a host of players were sold to raise funds.

What it meant for then-manager Peter Reid was an opportunity to blood some of the Pilgrims' young guns.

And Luke relished the opportunity.

He began training with the senior squad, along with fellow prospects Curtis Nelson and Jack Stephens.

The hard work attitude, which Luke has in abundance, paid off as he made his professional debut in 2010/11 during Argyle's brief season in League One.

He came off the bench against Bournemouth in January and grabbed his first start away at Brighton and Hove Albion on his 18th birthday.

Luke signed his first professional contract and knuckled down to try and establish himself in the Greens line-up for the 2011/12 campaign.

The first 10 games for Argyle were a nightmare with just a solitary point gained, leading to Reid's sacking by temporary chairman Peter Ridsdale.

But experienced midfielder Carl Fletcher took the reins and gave Luke his first taste of a League Two game against Oxford United.

It was a tough learning curve, as Argyle were humbled 5-1 with a young and inexperienced team.

In November the club was bought out of administration by businessman James Brent and a handful of experienced signings and loanees were snapped up.

Luke did not make the starting line-up for the next five outings, but from January onwards established himself as a regular fixture in the manager's plans, starting 13 consecutive matches.

He said: 'We were quite an inexperienced side at the start of the season and, being in administration, it was a difficult period. But when we brought some new players to the club, the mood lifted.'

On January 2, Luke scored his first goal for the Pilgrims in a 2-1 defeat at Home Park in front of 12,836 people.

'It was an incredible feeling, to score in that game, especially in front of the Devonport End.

'We were trailing 2-0 at that point so the header brought us back in the game. I had another chance later but couldn't quite connect. It was an amazing atmosphere .'

In a run of games from January Luke had become a favourite with with the fans for his constant work rate and willingness to make things happen.

The return of Argyle legend Paul Wotton, who has over 400 appearances for his home town club, meant Luke had to work hard for his place in the side and was only restored to a starting role during the last four games of the season.

Many believe that it was the squad's togetherness in a needs-must situation that kept the club above the relegation zone and Luke testifies this belief, saying: 'When Paul came back he was a great influence to the team and he and other experienced heads like Darren Purse were great leaders and great communicators.

'It was brilliant playing with these guys who have bags of experience, keeping you switched on and concentrating on your game.'

Luke played in the 1-1 draw against Oxford United at Home Park, which assured the Greens' survival.

'It was an incredible atmosphere and it was such a special occasion to share those emotions with all the supporters,' he recalled.

Following the elation of survival, Luke grab-bed his second goal of the season with a well taken strike a week later at Morecambe.

'Its always nice to get on the score sheet', said Luke, 'even though the result didn't really matter, it was another great moment.'

To cap a season of 28 appearances and two goals, Luke was voted the club's young player of the year. He said: 'It was the cherry on top of the cake to what was a great season.

'I still have lots to learn but I have great team mates and management around me. What is most important, though, is that the club does well.'

Luke added: 'The atmosphere and team spirit has been great in pre-season so far, and the manager has mixed it up with some swimming and boxing to keep everyone fresh and interested.

'We have lost Simon Walton but new players have come in and we are all looking forward to getting the new campaign under way.'