Ex-Blues star thanks fans for their support
Linvoy Primus has revealed his pride at being made an MBE.
The former Pompey star received the award in the New Year’s Honours List for his services to football and charity in Portsmouth.
He said: “I came home late one night and checked the post to find a rather official looking letter.
“I thought it was from the tax man, so opened it rather reluctantly. But I read the news and thought it must have been a wind-up!
“It was a very surreal moment and I had to read through the letter a few times before it all sunk in.
“But I’m incredibly proud to be made an MBE and my family are really proud as well.
“I’ve never done anything in order to receive accolades, so this was a fantastic surprise and a great honour.
“But I have to thank everyone who has supported me, especially with my charity. There are hundreds of them who are equally deserving of recognition.
“I’ve had an avalanche of texts and tweets since the news broke, many of them from Pompey fans and people at the club.
“I haven’t been able to reply to them all yet because there are so many, but I’m very grateful for the support.
“The details about when and where I receive the award haven’t come through yet, but John Jenkins called and told me what to expect!”
Primus made 219 appearances after joining Pompey on a free transfer from Reading in the summer of 2000.
He was named Player of the Season when the Blues romped to Division One promotion in 2003.
The defender then played a key role in turning them into a Premier League force, but he retired through injury in 2009 and took up a position as club ambassador.
Primus also achieved plenty off the pitch, however, and jointly founded Faith and Football during his time at Fratton Park.
The charity helps young people in the city – and further afield – with a range of educational and community programmes.