by Johnny Moore and Neil Weld
Alan Biley, Steve Claridge, Reg Flewin and Norman Piper were all inducted into Pompey’s Hall of Fame on an evening of nostalgia.
The former Blues players were honoured at a dinner and awards ceremony held at Port Solent’s Marriott Hotel.
There was also a special surprise presentation to former club secretary Paul Weld, who served the club for 38 years from 1973 until last October.
Piper, Biley and Claridge were all present to be honoured, while there was a posthumous award for Flewin, who captained Pompey’s back-to-back top-flight title-winning sides of 1949 and 1950.
Portsmouth-born Flewin made his Blues debut as an 18-year-old in 1939, but the outbreak of the second world war meant the centre-half had to wait more than seven years to make his next start.
A Royal Marines heavyweight boxing champion, Flewin took over as Pompey captain early in the 1946/47 season, becoming a key part of the side that would become the finest in the country.
Flewin’s award was presented to family member Andrea Hawkins by club stalwart Barry Harris.
Piper, who flew over from his home in the United States to be honoured, was a fixture in Pompey’s side between 1970 and 1978.
The Blues equalled a club record by paying Plymouth £40,000 for the England under-21 midfielder, who went to make 356 appearances and score 57 goals.
Piper – who received his award from Weld – said: “I’m thrilled and honoured to be here and it means so much to me. There are no better fans than Pompey fans and I also have to thank my team-mates, for without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Biley made himself a cult hero in the three years he played for Pompey after signing from Everton for £100,000 in 1982.
His resemblance to Rod Steward made him the first Blues star to hold a pop star-like status as the image of footballers began to enjoy a transformation.
He scored 57 goals in 115 appearances, but will always be famed for two injury-time strikes at Fratton Park against top-of-the-table Oxford in 1984, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory. Those goals came in time added on for a pitch invasion by a fan dressed as Father Christmas!
Biley said: “This is very emotional for me because everyone knows how much I love Pompey. I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for the fans and this is the biggest honour I’ve ever had.”
Portsmouth-born Steve Claridge returned to Fratton Park in 1998, 14 years after being released as an apprentice.
As Pompey stared at relegation from Division One, Claridge’s return – initially on loan from Leicester – coincided with a ‘Great Escape’ from the drop.
His first Blues goal proved to be the winner on a famous Fratton night against Stockport that is still talked about. A constant chant of ‘Alan Ball’s Blue and White Army’ from the 8,662 crowd resounded around the ground for most of the night and helped spark a seven-match unbeaten run.
Claridge signed permanently in the summer and went on to make 122 appearances and score 37 goals, later becoming player-manager.
He said: “When I came back to sign for the club, I knew it was the right place for me – it was a dream move. Pompey is a proper football club.”
Weld’s award was presented by former Pompey boss Frank Burrows, who led the club out of Division Four in 1980, managing the Blues in two spells from 1979 and 1982 and again between 1990 and 1991.
Burrows was one of 19 full-time Pompey managers that Weld worked under during his outstanding period of long service at Fratton Park.
The former Blues boss said: “Paul was a big help to me during my time at the club and someone I consider to be a life-long friend. He’s one of the best.”
Weld said: “I’m overwhelmed to get this award from someone I respect and admire so much. It’s also great to see so many people who love Pompey as much as I do.”
This year’s inductees join an impressive list of former Pompey greats in the club’s Hall of Fame: Andy Awford, Jimmy Dickinson, Jack Froggatt, Johnny Gordon, Peter Harris, Ray Hiron, Alan Knight MBE, Albert McCann, Alan McLoughlin, John Milkins, Len Phillips, Linvoy Primus, Duggie Reid, Mick Tait, Jack Tinn, Paul Walsh and Guy Whittingham.