Portsmouth Football Club are sad to learn of the death of early post-war goalkeeper Ron Humpston, who passed away peacefully at Cheltenham General Hospital on January 4, aged 88.
Ron was a regular in the reserve team after joining the Blues while stationed on Whale Island for the Royal Navy.
He signed professional forms in December 1945, but was kept out of the first team by Ernie Butler.
When Butler got injured, Ron made his senior debut in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on New Year’s Day 1948 and played again two days later in a 3-2 triumph over Huddersfield at Fratton Park.
But it was not until a damaged finger kept Butler out of the team during the 1950/51 season that Ron saw first-team action again, this time for a seven-match run.
Hungry for more regular football he asked for a transfer and moved to Huddersfield in 1951.
Pompey send their condolences to Ron’s son Michael and all of his friends and family.