See them this Sunday and take a tour of the stadium
A historic set of table and chairs, which used to be in Pompey’s boardroom, are the prime exhibit in the latest History Day, which takes place at Fratton Park on Sunday.
The set, comprising 14 oak chairs and a table, originally made for HMS Warrior, were discarded by the club in 2007 after being in their possession for more than 70 years.
They were rescued by a local builder from a skip and are now owned by a collector, who has agreed to lend them back to the Blues for the event in the Victory Lounge, which takes place from 11am-2pm.
Colin Farmery, who heads up history and archiving projects at the club, said: “I am delighted we have been able to borrow back these historic artefacts for the day and I am sure fans will be keen to come and see a unique bit of the club’s history in more ways than one.
“Not only do they represent the strong association between the club and the navy, who donated the set to the club originally, but they also remind us of the Pompey’s more recent past, when not enough respect was paid to our heritage.”
The chairs featured in an episode of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow in 2013 and the club hope to be able to show footage of this along with the display.
However, Colin underlined the club has had a good year for reconnecting with its past. He said: “We were also pleased in the summer when former chairman Milan Mandaric agreed to loan back a painting of HMS Victory, which also hung in the old boardroom.
“Fans can also see this painting hanging in the new boardroom if they buy one of the tours of the stadium we are staging on the day.”
The history day will have a range of displays and exhibits, including rare club trophies, memorabilia, video and archive material.
There will also be a display by the Pompey Pals group and the Former Players’ Association, as well as a programme and memorabilia fair.
Entrance to the History Day is free, but a limited number of tours are available priced £10 for adults with an accompanied child free (usually £5).
More than 70 tours have already been sold and they can be booked online here until 4pm on Friday.
Fans can also turn up on the day and pay in cash, on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
The tours begin at the VIP entrance in Frogmore Road, starting from 11am. They run every half-hour until the final tour at 2pm.
The tour involves negotiating a number of stairways and is not suitable for those with limited mobility. There is ample car parking in the club’s Anson Road car park.