Striker determined to take his chance
This time last year Ryan Bird was working as an electrician while playing part-time for Burnham.
Fast forward 12 months and he is a professional footballer with three League Two goals under his belt.
The striker’s brace helped Pompey pick up three points against Exeter in the last match at Fratton Park.
And Bird is enjoying the chance to show that he can cut it at a higher level.
“It’s the dream of most lads to be a professional footballer,” he says in the official matchday magazine for Saturday’s clash with Scunthorpe. “Waking up every day knowing you’re going to train or play is unbelievable.
“One of the reasons why I work so hard is because I haven’t had this opportunity before.
“I want to carry on doing this job for as long as I can and I appreciate it more because of where I’ve come from.”
You can read the full interview with Bird – including his thoughts on opening his goalscoring account– in Saturday’s programme.
Issue 10 is another packed edition with a double-sided pull-out poster, collectable player cards and the first part of a new adventure for Nelson and Mary Rose in our comic strip.
Also in the perfect-bound 84-page publication, Trevor Carson discusses his firsts, we take an in-depth look at Scunthorpe and there are exclusive columns from Iain McInnes, Guy Whittingham, Johnny Ertl and Alan Knight.
Plus augmented reality technology – courtesy of our friends at Blippar and Navigate Digital – will bring the programme to life.
Saturday’s matchday magazine is available to buy from programme sellers around Fratton Park and is great value at just £3.
Ryan Bird is 13/2 with Sky Bet to score the first goal on Saturday and if you open an account at www.skybet.com/pompey and deposit before the end of November, the club receives £10.
Ryan Bird is 13/2 with Sky Bet to score the first goal on Saturday and if you open an account at www.skybet.com/pompey and deposit before the end of November, the club receives £10.