THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL MAGAZINE OF PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB
HEAVEN’SLIGHT EDSAPCE / WHAT POMPEY MEANS TO ME / OUT OF THE SHADOWS STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW / JOHNNY MOORE / TOM WHITE / TICKET NEWS
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CONTENTS 05 Edspace 07 What Pompey Means To Me 09 Out Of The Shadows 11 Stakeholder Interview
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14 Johnny Moore 17 Bygone Blues 18
Tom White
21 Josh Sweetman 25 Ticket News DESIGN The Graphic Design House, www.tgdh.co.uk Designers Leigh Griffiths, leigh@tgdh.co.uk Andrew Sanders, andy@tgdh.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Colin Farmery, Tom White, Pompey Press
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TICKET
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TACKLING WASTE HEAD ON WASTE REMOVAL BUILDERS SKIPS AND ROLLONOFF CONTAINERS GRAB LORRIES RECYCLED AGGREGATES READY MIXED CONCRETE WASTE RECYCLING DEPOTS
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MY COLUMN LOOKS AT THE FESTIVE FIXTURES COMING UP, AS WELL AS REMINISCING ABOUT SOME PREVIOUS BOXING DAY FIXTURES AND THE THREAT THAT AFC WIMBLEDON WILL POSE
}Welcome to the December edition of Heaven’s Light. As usual this edition of Heaven’s Light is packed full of news about life off the pitch at Fratton Park. My column looks at the festive fixtures coming up, as well as reminiscing about some previous Boxing Day fixtures and the threat that AFC Wimbledon will pose this Boxing Day. We also have a column from Josh Sweetman about Pompey’s lack of goals in televised matches. This issue also contains an out of the shadows feature with club ambassador and Pompey Player and Express FM summariser Alan Knight MBE, a stakeholder interview with Stuart Wakley from Assured Office Solutions, another one of Johnny Moore’s favourite years and the latest ticket news. We will also be speaking to another fan to find out what Pompey means to them. If you would like to be in a future edition of Heaven’s Light saying what Pompey means to you then please feel free to contact me. You can email me on tomwhite@pompeyfc.co.uk and you can also send any comments, ideas or suggestions for our publication to that email address. Yours in Pompey, Tom White Heaven’s Light Editor
THIS ISSUE ALSO CONTAINS AN OUT OF THE SHADOWS FEATURE WITH CLUB AMBASSADOR AND POMPEY PLAYER AND EXPRESS FM SUMMARISER ALAN KNIGHT MBE 05
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W H AT D O E S
POMPEY MEAN TO ME?
IAN CHIVERTON, 32, FROM GODALMING TELLS TOM WHITE WHAT POMPEY MEANS TO HIM
} Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
IC
I live with my wife and three-year-old daughter. I have a season ticket in the Fratton End and I’m also a shareholder and Trust member. } What does Pompey mean to you?
IC
Pompey has always been a large part of my life from a young age, but has been more a source of unification for my family since the passing of my father. Supporting Pompey as a school boy in Surrey in the 90’s wasn’t the coolest thing. Most people supported bigger clubs and I was the only one in a Portsmouth shirt. My dad followed football but never supported anyone. He started coming with me around 2007 and was hooked on his first game and got a season ticket. Some of the closest moments I shared with him were during games and travelling to and from matches. I appreciate that more now he has gone. After dad died we took my mum, wife and daughter to my daughter’s first game. Seeing my daughter’s face of amazement when the “Play up Pompey” chant came from the Fratton End was incredibly emotional. Dad would’ve loved to have seen it. } Can you remember when you started supporting Pompey?
IC
I was ten years old and I was painting in the school hall. We were all talking about teams to support. My mate said his dad supported Portsmouth. I didn’t fancy supporting a team everyone else did so I said “I’ll support them” and that was it. Twentytwo years on and thousands of pounds later I’m still following them. } Do you have a highlight from your time supporting the club?
IC
Obviously the promotion season was unreal. The FA Cup win was special, and I remember
getting slightly emotional when Nwankwo Kanu scored in the final. The guy sat next to me gave me a funny look, but I just knew we would go on to win it. I had literally dreamed as a child of seeing Portsmouth at Wembley. I never thought I would, so it was like a lottery win for me. } Do you have any favourite players?
IC
I have a few. Arjan de Zeeuw and Linvoy Primus as you knew you would get 100 per cent every time. Robert Prosinecki, Paul Merson, Matt Taylor and Glen Johnson are also favourites, purely because they had the ability to turn a game in one moment of genius. } Do you have any favourite goals?
IC
Svetoslav Todorov’s goal that sealed promotion was crazy; a guy called Matt who sits behind me ended up three rows in front. Every goal in the 4-1 at home to Southampton felt immense. To beat them is great, but to destroy them stays with you forever. } How did you feel when the Trust bought the club?
IC
I couldn’t have been happier. I fully back the Trust and I’m a shareholder myself. If I could I would shake the hand of everyone who took part in the Trust taking over. We owe them so much. I certainly won’t forget what they have done. } What are your hopes for the future for Pompey?
IC
There’s only one thing I care about, stability. I wouldn’t care if we don’t get back to the Championship for ten years, as long as we are financially stable and the club is moving forward off the pitch. We are the biggest fan-owned club and a lot of eyes are watching expecting failure. We can’t let that happen, we must prove fan ownership can work.
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OUT OF TH E
SHADOWS
CLUB AMBASSADOR AND POMPEY PLAYER AND EXPRESS FM SUMMARISER ALAN KNIGHT MBE TALKS TO TOM WHITE } Alan’s official title at Pompey is club ambassador. However, the role is wide-ranging and covers many different areas of the club. “When I first was offered the job just over a year ago I didn’t have the first idea what it entailed,” said Alan. “It is wide-ranging and is evolving all the time. I spoke with Linvoy Primus who did it before about the stuff he did, and I’ve tied it up with Faith and Football, Clare Martin and Pompey in the Community, and Paul Allen who does health projects in the community. With the players and the club we do all the normal health initiatives, whether that be Prostate Cancer UK or Movember, and I also think it’s very important that we do local stuff that is close to home as well. I do a lot of stuff with the Elizabeth Foundation for deaf children, and we try to keep the links going with the Queen Alexandra Hospital.”
has changed with freedom of contracts because players now have a lot more teams under their belt that they’ve played for. Back in the day you probably played for just one or maybe two teams throughout your career, but having said that we are looking to embrace everyone that has played for the club. We want to keep close links because it is an important part of the club’s history and we’re looking to build that going forward.” Alan played 801 games for Pompey between 1978 and 2000 and was one of the first batch of inductees to the Pompey Hall of Fame. He has also been the club’s goalkeeping coach, and he is full of praise for the fans. He said: “For myself personally the fans have always been fantastic. They’ve stood by their club through thick and thin and they’re deeply proud of their club. It’s been an honour to have played in front of them.”
Alan has also recently become a match summariser for Pompey Player and Express FM, and it’s different to anything he’s done before. “It’s something different,” said Alan. “It’s been interesting to see that side of it. I’d like to think I’m honest when I’m on there and I say it as I see it.” Alan is also the chairman of the Pompey Former Players Association (PFPA) and is hoping to grow the membership of the association.
WE ARE LOOKING TO EMBRACE EVERYONE THAT HAS PLAYED FOR THE CLUB
He said: “The association has been going for years. Pat Neil and Lyn Powell were basically running it and they’ve done some fantastic stuff over the years. The history of it is quite amazing. The membership had started to die off and we’re trying to reboot it. It’s difficult with modern day players and the way the game
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STAKEHOLDER INTERVIEW
ASSURED OFFICE SOLUTIONS
TOM WHITE INTERVIEWS STUART WAKLEY, A DIRECTOR AND THE FOUNDER OF ASSURED OFFICE SOLUTIONS } You’re the main sponsor of Pompey’s Academy, so what made you want to get involved with the Academy in the first place? I’ve been supporting the Academy for probably
SW three years now. It started back when the club
were having severe problems. It looked like the Academy could be folded and I didn’t think that was right. Myself and one of the other directors decided that we would fund new tracksuits and one of the kits, and it’s continued from there. We weren’t going to get too heavily involved this year, but we had a meeting with Anna Mitchell and this year we’ve done a bit more and done all the shirts for all ages. } And how has the partnership been going so far? It’s all going swimmingly. We were invited to the FA Youth Cup match against Bolton, which was nice. We spent some time with the chief executive and had a chat with him and Andy Awford. It’s nice to get the recognition that we’re doing something right.
SW
} How are things going at Assured Office Solutions? It’s progressing quite nicely. We’ve been running
SW now for 14 years, and we’ve had good times
and bad times. We’re expanding the business. We had a small office in Hayling Island and we have our registered address in Leatherhead, but 18 months ago we decided that we would expand and take a unit of 10,000 square foot for warehousing and a larger office which we’ve pretty much filled now. We’ve also managed to secure some work in New York for the London Stock Exchange. We’ve done three projects for them over there and are just about to start another two. So the business is expanding and progressing quite well. } Are there any new projects going forward for Assured Office Solutions or are you building on what you do? We’re building on what we do. We’re slightly
SW different to a lot of other companies that are 11
sure it’s resolved to the clients’ satisfaction. } Do you think you are well looked after at Fratton Park?
IT LOOKED LIKE THE ACADEMY COULD BE FOLDED AND I DIDN’T THINK THAT WAS RIGHT
Yes, very much so. I think the club have got the
SW right staff now that are very appreciative, and
it’s nice that we get the odd email asking how we are. It goes a long way. I’ve had a chat with Anna about trying to put some of my contacts into the club to see if they can do some sponsorship, so perhaps some of my contacts can help as well. } Do you think the community club model could be the way forward for football? I think it can work, but I think Portsmouth
SW are lucky that they have such a fanbase. To
in our industry as we find it easier to keep a client than find a new one, hence why we have such a big retention of clients. Our customer service is second to none, and that’s what we pride ourselves on. We’ve got clients like MTV, Viacom, and the London Stock Exchange. A lot of our clients are blue chip companies, like Microsoft, so if we get it right it’s very rare that they go anywhere else. But we are expanding so we’re looking for new businesses, and we’re not sitting on our laurels and waiting for them to come through the door. We’re doing this with the club, we’re doing some sponsorship with a British Superbike team that has only just been launched, and we also run a sidecar in the British Championship. } And are you optimistic going forward? Yes. I’m not going to say that 14 years has been easy, because it hasn’t. We’ve obviously had a recession but we try and tweak our business to meet what the market wants. When people are expanding they’re wanting new offices, carpets, ceilings and partitioning. When it’s a recession and people are downsizing we’re recycling all their surplus items and moving them to smaller offices. So hopefully it doesn’t affect us too much, but we have to be kept on our toes to make sure we meet what the market needs.
SW
} Are there any major challenges for the business? There are always challenges. Every day
SW there’s a different challenge. No two days
are ever the same, there’s always something that crops up that is a challenge. If anything goes wrong it’s how you react to that to make
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get 15,000 fans in League Two every week is phenomenal. My concern would be whether other clubs have the fanbase that could do it. I know Wycombe Wanderers are doing it and they’re doing well, and they don’t have those numbers. If it works then fair play and good luck to them. } What are your hopes for the future for Pompey? I think it will be nice to have a few years of
SW stability, whether that’s in League Two, League
One, the Championship or the Premier League. I wish Andy all the success that I can, and I want the club to get as far as it can. But the club needs stability, and I’m sure that they’ve got the right people in charge. I’ve had conversations about next year and if things progress nicely we’re in for the long haul. We’ve done three years and it could be extended a lot longer. } Is there anything else you would like to add? We’re helping the Academy because that is the
SW future of the club. They have some fantastic
players coming through and it will be nice that we’ve helped in some small way when we see them out on
OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SECOND TO NONE, AND THAT’S WHAT WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON
the pitch.
SW
: We’re helping the Academy because that is the future of the club. They have some fantastic players coming through and it will be nice that we’ve helped in some small way when we see them out on the pitch.
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1984-85 S
E
A
S
O
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} It was around the mid-80s that I finally felt I had entered the world of an adult, which at the age of 24 wasn’t a moment before time. On first entering pubs in the mid-70s I used to be viewed with more than a little suspicion, which given I was barely 16 probably wasn’t a major surprise. Despite my above average height the usual tell-tale signs of bumfluff and the occasional outbreak of zits were a bit of a giveaway. Pubs are like communities and when you first enter them it is much like the first few weeks at secondary school or in a new job only it takes a bit longer to earn trust – in my case about eight years. Even when you become of age you still remain just a customer whose name is largely unrecognised. Someone whose name escapes the bar staff and who has to repeat their tipple on every visit to the bar. This remains the only form of stunted polite conversation that takes place between both. So it took those eight years down the line to graduate from just another customer to someone that felt one of that community and a real adult when a Scottish guy called Bill took over as landlord in the Star who I have a lot to thank for. After a few weeks moving towards the state of familiarity progress was finally made when he began to pour my Harp Lager on entry without asking and greet me on first-name terms. As we became more acquainted early drinks before the pub had officially opened and late drinks after it had officially closed became more frequent.
Fratton Park from the previous season Mark Hateley had departed for Italy and AC Milan and in his place came Manchester United player Scott McGarvey. Comparisons were particularly hard to find. Consequently the Scottish striker would end up a muchmaligned character, which might have been a tad unfair given Hateley cost £190,000 compared to McGarvey’s £85,000. His curly fair perm, in comparison with Hateley’s tall swarthy looks, probably didn’t entirely endear him either and the defining factor was probably down to the fact that his five goals that season were also 20 less than his predecessor. Bobby Campbell’s free-scoring, free-flowing formula was ripped up by Ball who instilled a mean defence and midfield that screamed ‘thou shall not pass’. And if they did happen to pass then woe betide them. The make-up of Ball’s side was revealed in the opening fixture of the season at home to Middlesbrough when two new signings Billy Gilbert and Mick Kennedy were prevented from making their debuts through suspension. It was the age that Hill Street Blues had just found its way on to British television and I wore a distinctive blue waistcoat after my Hill Street Precinct hero Detective J. D. LaRue. In fact I had been wearing them for some time but this was a replacement after Alan Biley had ripped the previous one two seasons before as Pompey’s home game against Southend had descended into mild chaos.
And so feeling like a true adult in the eyes of other adults we embarked on Alan Ball’s first season as permanent Pompey manager.
As Pompey honed in on a 2-0 victory which guaranteed their promotion from Division Three the North Terrace, as it was then called, had surged forward with many including me being forced to get over the wall and stand pitchside seconds from the final whistle.
On the football front the all too fleeting darling of
As Biley, ultimately professional to the bitter end, tried to
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retrieve a ball that had gone out of play he had accidently ripped my pride and joy; a fact that I have never let him forget to this day. Indeed shortly afterwards he signed my Mike Neasom History of Portsmouth Football Club book with the words ‘I owe you a new waistcoat’. The last time I saw him a few months back I told him I was still waiting. Anyway back to this bright sunny August day of 1984 which began with an extra early start in the Star complete with resplendent new waistcoat, and an extra late finish at the Star sandwiched in between by a 1-0 victory against Middlesbrough settled by an 87th-minute Biley far-post finish which all in all added up to the perfect day. Only one goal would be conceded in the first six league games, which was a bit of a culture shock after watching Bobby Campbell’s side the previous season.
INDEED WHEN VINCE HILAIRE HAD MADE IT FIVE ON 83 MINUTES AT FRATTON PARK I URGED POMPEY FORWARD AS I HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE ALREADY KNOWING THAT MY SUNDAY LUNCHTIME SESSION WAS VIRTUALLY PAID FOR
Those six games would include two outstanding results within four days with 1-0 wins at both Birmingham and Leeds. Nobody could have questioned the entertainment value of Campbell’s side the previous season as Pompey plundered 73 goals and conceded 64. In doing so they had scored one more than promoted Sheffield Wednesday but conceded just eight less than relegated Derby County, which somehow summed up the crazy season. Ball’s side would score four goals less than that but crucially concede 14 goals less, finishing in fourth place as opposed to the previous seasons 16th, so the proof of the pudding was kind of in the eating. My new found popularity in the pub was increased by taking the landlord’s 12-year-old son who had come down from Scotland to the 3-1 home victory against Leeds United. That was his first game and he remains a Pompey fan to this day who I bump into every so often. This new set of proceedings meant that not only was my drink ready when I entered but one or two free ones were chucked in and I found myself promoted from the saloon into the more prestigious lounge where the clientele was of slightly better breeding and the environment more adult. A new breed of youngster were coming in the saloon unacknowledged and looked on suspiciously while I had now undeniably moved up in pub status. Within the lounge among my new drinking acquaintances included a staunch Oldham fan who still had the accent to prove his roots. The previous season Oldham had done the double over Pompey, and one of the games epitomised Bobby Campbell’s crazy season. Trailing 4-0 at half time Pompey had pulled it back to 4-3 in the last ten minutes in a grandstand finale which was by far not the first or last. My new-found Oldham drinking acquaintance had not
let me forget this since my promotion from saloon to lounge but in this more stable of times under Alan Ball a subsequent 2-0 win at Boundary Park and a 5-1 thumping of them at Fratton Park firmly shut him up and earned me a few drinks given it was a pint a goal to the winner. Indeed when Vince Hilaire had made it five on 83 minutes at Fratton Park I urged Pompey forward as I have never done before already knowing that my Sunday lunchtime session was virtually paid for. There would unfortunately be a late season blip where successive home losses to Manchester City and Birmingham would cost Pompey promotion with City pipping us on goal difference. It was difficult to take watching Pompey beat Huddersfield on the final day knowing that Manchester City were hammering Charlton 5-1 over the Pennines to clinch the final promotion place. A game where Kevin O’Callaghan scored a solo effort of one of the best yet most pointless goals in the club’s history. By now winter had subsided, spring had sprung and the old Detective J.D. LaRue waistcoat had reappeared several weeks before. It all became somewhat academic as the first news of a fire at nearby Bradford City filtered through which became that more horrific the more you learnt and saw. Football not for the first or last time would be put into perspective. On the field it had all been so near but so far yet there was little doubt that this was the most mutual of times. Pompey were once more climbing up the football ladder and I strutting around like J.D. LaRue continued climbing up the social one.
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BYGONE BLUES Johnny Moore looks at David James’ contribution to Pompey
But it was his club performances that most interested the Fratton faithful, with James keeping clean sheets against Fulham and former club Liverpool – saving two shootout penalties in the final against the latter – in Hong Kong in the summer of 2007 to ensure the Blues lifted the Barclays Asia Trophy.
WHEN DAVID JAMES JOINED POMPEY FROM MANCHESTER CITY IN THE SUMMER OF 2006, IT HERARLDED A NEW – IF ULTIMATELY TEMPORARY – DAWN The goalkeeper was one of a cluster of marquee signings, as the likes of Sol Cambell, Sylvain Distin and Kanu all ventured to the south coast. In the past, Pompey have attracted past-it players seeking one final pay day, but these were stars who, if not quite at their prime, were still capable of performing at the highest level. That was proven over the next couple of seasons as the Blues finished ninth and then eighth in the Premier League, won a prestigious pre-season tournament in the Far East and then lifted the FA Cup to qualify for Europe for the first time in their history. Like most sides who reach the top-flight, Pompey struggled to survive among superior company when they won promotion in 2003. But Harry Redknapp, fresh back from his sabbatical behind enemy lines at Southampton following a well-publicised spat with chairman Milan Mandaric, had the task of turning them into a force. This was, in part, due to the arrival of Sacha Gaydamak, who was poised to take full control of the club.
It got even better as Pompey embarked on a triumphant FA Cup run, conceding just one goal en route to lifting the trophy at Wembley.
JAMES’ PERFORMANCE AT PRESTON IN THE FIFTH ROUND WAS PARTICULARLY IMPRESSIVE, MAKING SEVERAL TOP-CLASS SAVES AND SAVING A SIMON WHALEY PENALTY It was a campaign that brought home victories over the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton, with only a disallowed Niko Kranjcar effort against Arsenal on the final day denying them another big scalp and a place in the UEFA Cup. Except now these scalps were not quite so impressive – as James had helped put Pompey on an equal footing with the top teams in the country. During his time at Fratton Park, he re-established himself as England’s undisputed number one.
A few months later, a frustrated James would kick the ball away after the second strike of that famous Pedro Mendes brace flew past him and hit the back of the net to kick-start the greatest of escapes.
DAVID JAMES
Now a Pompey player, however, he would remain unbeaten in his first five games as his new side rattled up four wins and a draw.
POMPEY APPS: 158
DOB: 01/08/1970 POSITION: GOALKEEPER POMPEY CAREER: 2006-2010 POMPEY GOALS: 0
James’ performance at Preston in the fifth round was particularly impressive, making several top-class saves and saving a Simon Whaley penalty. The Blues looked on course for a top four finish in the 2007/08 campaign and although they eventually ended up in eighth, those Wembley wins over West Brom and Cardiff ensured European football was heading to Fratton Park. Pompey’s time mixing it with the elite was to be short-lived and, one-by-one, the wheels started to fall off the wagon. He helped them reach another FA Cup final in 2010, but not even James could prevent an administration-ravaged club suffering Premier League relegation. But fans still look back on a period of footballing prosperity when their side were more than holding their own at the top of the English game. And James’ role in that era was recognised when, last month, he
was inducted into the Pompey Hall of Fame.
TOM WHITE’S
VIEW FROM THE
FRATTON END
} We are now approaching the halfway stage of the season and a crucial period of festive fixtures that can make or break a season.
This year AFC Wimbledon will make the short trip down the A3 on Boxing Day, and Pompey will know they face a tough match.
Pompey face two games in three days this festive season.
Last season the Blues crashed to a comprehensive 4-0 defeat at Kingsmeadow, before edging to a nervy 1-0 win at home to the Dons.
Andy Awford’s side host AFC Wimbledon at Fratton Park on Boxing Day, before a difficult trip to Kenilworth Road to face high-flying Luton Town on Sunday, December 28. The Boxing Day fixture is a favourite with a number of fans, as supporters get back to football after spending Christmas Day with their families. The Blues have enjoyed some fine Boxing Day victories in the last few years. In 2003 Pompey marked their first Boxing Day as a Premier League club with a 2-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur, with Patrik Berger scoring both the goals. A year later fan favourite Linvoy Primus was the hero as he scored a rare goal to seal a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. Primus was the hero again in 2006 as his two goals sealed a fine 2-1 win for the Blues at Upton Park against West Ham United. Pompey then had to wait seven years for their next Boxing Day victory, as Romain Padovani’s header sealed a 1-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge at Fratton Park.
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The likes of Joe Devera, Paul Robinson, Jack Whatmough and Dan Butler will know they will be in for a tough afternoon when AFC Wimbledon come to Fratton Park, as the Dons have one of the most feared strike partnerships in League Two.
THE BOXING DAY FIXTURE IS A FAVOURITE WITH A NUMBER OF FANS, AS SUPPORTERS GET BACK TO FOOTBALL AFTER SPENDING CHRISTMAS DAY WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
Adebayo Akinfenwa and Matt Tubbs both arrived at Kingsmeadow in the summer, with Akinfenwa signing a two-year contract and Tubbs signing a season-long loan deal, and they have immediately hit it off as a partnership. Akinfenwa already has seven league goals to his name so far this season, while Tubbs has found the back of the net ten times in League Two this season. The two strikers compliment each other perfectly, with Akinfenwa’s strength allowing him to bully defenders, while Tubbs’ positioning and pace means he is always a threat in behind.
The Fratton faithful will hope that the likes of Ryan Taylor, Craig Westcarr and Miles Storey can fire the Blues to victory this Boxing Day. Pompey will then make the short trip to Kenilworth Road on Sunday, December 28, for a tough match against a Luton Town side that is challenging for automatic promotion. The Blues have sold out their away allocation for that fixture, and the travelling faithful will hope to see Pompey pick up a vital three points from that match.
Akinfenwa can bench-press 180kg and has been rated as the strongest player on FIFA 14 and FIFA 15. He has a meticulous routine in the gym to maintain his physical prowess, and even has his own range of clothing called ‘Beast Mode On’. While Akinfenwa and Tubbs may be one of the most feared strike partnerships in League Two, Pompey fans have witnessed some exciting strike partnerships at Fratton Park in the last few years. In the Premier League days Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch were the ultimate ‘little and large’ partnership, although they only played together for the first half of the 2008-09 season before Defoe moved to Tottenham, while Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Teddy Sheringham formed a potent partnership in the 2003-04 season.
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JOSH SWEETMAN’S
POMPEY C H A T } We all know that being a Pompey fan is rollercoaster ride. When we were at the height of our Premier League experience, the sight of the Blues on Sky seemed a common theme. Since our freefall, television time has become restricted, with the famous blue, white and red kit usually only being selected when the top flight takes a week off for the international break.
ADMITTEDLY, THE CHANCES OF FINDING A LOCAL AUSSIE BAR SHOWING A GAME OF LEAGUE TWO FOOTBALL WERE SLIM, BUT IT WAS WORTH A TRY
I always loved it, having the boys on the box showcasing our support live to the nation. Now, not so much. I can’t for the life of me remember the last goal Pompey scored away from home during a televised game. Considering I have a season ticket in the Fratton End, it is only away games that I tune into, but every single time we draw a blank. Aldershot, Plymouth and Burton this season, all defeats without us finding the back of the oppositions net. Then there was last season, again our reputation probably gives us an extra live game over our rivals, but when we scored last season on Sky, you guessed it, I missed it. Last season, I shamefully gave up my ticket to see my boyhood team in order to travel. The opportunity to follow England as they took on Australia in the Ashes was too good to turn down.
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Upon our arrival in Brisbane, Pompey were taking on Plymouth in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off, much like the one this season, which was being aired live. Admittedly, the chances of finding a local Aussie bar showing a game of League Two football were slim, but it was worth a try. As first thought, the attempts were unsuccessful, and I missed out on watching Jed Wallace score in the 1-1 draw. All sorts of emotions filled my head. I had missed the 2-2 draw with Accrington last August because of a cricket match, instead having to update myself with the score through Twitter. I was just having no luck at all. After thinking about it with great detail, I had persuaded myself that Erik the
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Viking’s opener against Blackpool back when we were in the Championship was the last time I saw Pompey score on the box. Thankfully, a friend pointed me in the right direction, and the 3-0 win against Crawley was the last time we scored away from home when I was watching live. That was back in 2012 – when Ashley Harris, Luke Rodgers and Izale Mcleod were on the scoresheet. Amazing how times change isn’t it? With no games scheduled to be live in the next few months, my wait will continue to go on, but I’m not sure if I want to go through the experience of building our chances up only for us to draw a blank again. When we do eventually score in a televised game away from home, I’m not quite sure how I will celebrate. But surely this baron run has to come to an end soon, right?
TICKET
NEWS Home Matches Pompey v AFC Wimbledon Friday December 26, 1pm Sky Bet League Two Tickets are on general sale Pompey v Burton Albion Saturday January 17, 3pm Sky Bet League Two Season ticket holders/shareholders: Monday, January 5 (10am) General sale: Wednesday, January 7 (10am)
Away Matches
Luton Town v Pompey Sunday December 28, 3pm Sky Bet League Two Tickets have sold out Coach Prices Adult: £22 Child: £14 Newport County v Pompey
Saturday January 10, 3pm Sky Bet League Two
Tickets are on general sale Ticket Prices (Bisley Stand/Synter Stand) Adult: £18/£16 Senior (65+): £14/£12 Student (with NUS card): £14/£12 Junior (U16): £9/£6 Junior (U12): £6/£6 Child (U6): Free/Free Coach Prices Adult: £22 Child: £14 Supporters buying concession tickets are advised to bring proof of age identification with them to the game. Official coach travel can be bought from Lucketts Travel in Fareham, by calling 0845 389 0644 or online at www.lucketts-holidays.co.uk
IMPORTANT NOTICE Any supporters who attempt to enter Fratton Park with a concession ticket (individual match ticket or season ticket) for which ineligible will face instant removal from the ground. Their ticket will be confiscated and there may be a further ban from attending matches. Please ensure you are in possession of the right ticket before travelling to the match to avoid any embarrassment on arrival. If there is a problem with your ticket, please contact the ticket office as soon as possible. Supporters buying concession tickets to away games are strongly advised to take proof of age identification. Failure to do so may mean they will have to upgrade to the adult price on arrival, or they may not be admitted to the ground. DATES AND TIMES OF ALL GAMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
How To Buy Tickets Tickets to Pompey matches can be bought from the Frogmore Road ticket office, by calling (023) 9277 8559 or online at tickets.portsmouthfc.co.uk
Home Matchday League Prices 2014/15 Adults: £20 Senior (60+)/Young Person (17-22): £15 Junior (U17, unaccompanied): £10 Junior (U17, accompanied by an adult): £5 Adult is aged 23-59 on September 1 2014. Senior is aged 60 or over on September 1 2014. Young person is aged 17-22 on September 1 2014. Junior is aged 16 or under on September 1 2014. Adults/seniors/ young persons in the Family Section must be accompanied by a junior. Accompanied junior tickets not available online.
Opening Times Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm Non-match Saturday/Sunday: Closed Matchday Saturday: The ticket office will be open between 11am and 3.30pm for upgrades/enquiries only. On matchdays, tickets can be bought from the ticket kiosks behind the Fratton End which are open between 11am and 3.30pm. Collections can be made from main reception.
Contacts Phone: (023) 9277 8559 Email: tickets@pompeyfc.co.uk Disabled Liaison Officer: Allison McNeil
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