Look back on 1939 and 2008 triumphs
The chance to have your photograph taken with the FA Cup on the open-topped bus which paraded the team and the trophy around Portsmouth in 2008 is the highlight of the club’s latest History Day.
The biannual event – which this time focuses on both cup triumphs – gives fans the opportunity to find out more about Pompey’s rich history.
Supporters can also book their place on a tour of Fratton Park in a package especially designed for families. Click here for more details.
The event takes place in the Victory Lounge on Sunday, April 24 (11am-2pm). Tours start from 10.30am from the VIP entrance in Frogmore Road. A bar and light refreshments will be available.
The club have pulled together a number of exhibits from the two successful FA Cup runs, including 1939 manager Jack Tinn’s ‘lucky’ spats and several match-worn shirts of players from the 2008 final.
A special commemorative banner commissioned by the club in 2008 and a flag worn by Hermann Hreidarsson on the lap of honour at Wembley, which were bought by fans in a special crowd-funding campaign organised by @PompeyNewsNow last year, will also be on show.
The Pompey Former Players’ Association will have a display and it is anticipated that several ex-players will be in attendance to chat and sign autographs.
There will also be an exhibition by the Pompey Pals project, which is a charity devoted to telling the story of the men from Portsmouth who signed up for duty at the outbreak of World War One.
Entry to the fair and the displays will be free, but there will be the opportunity to make a donation on the door, which will be shared between the Pompey Former Players’ Association and the club’s academy.
Tours of the stadium, including the dressing rooms, tunnel area and boardroom, are priced at just £10 for adults, with accompanied juniors free (instead of the usual £5).
With the picture of the cup, fans can opt to have a professional photograph taken for £7 or they will be able to take selfies in exchange for a suggested donation of £2. Any proceeds raised will be shared between the Pompey Former Players’ Association and the academy.
Colin Farmery, who oversees history and archiving projects at the club, said: “I’m really excited about this event. Getting the open-topped bus is a real coup and we have also sourced the original ‘winners’ banner which went on the front of the vehicle, so any pictures will look fantastic. This could well be a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
“For the tour we have also borrowed the historic boardroom table and chairs, which will be in situ in the current boardroom, alongside the painting of HMS Victory, which former chairman Milan Mandaric has loaned to the club. Again it will be a rare opportunity to see this artefact in its original location.
“We also want to promote tours of the stadium and by allowing accompanied children to go free, it is a great opportunity to introduce younger fans to the history of the club, as well as seeing things like the changing rooms and experiencing the thrill of coming up the Fratton Park tunnel.”
The 30-minute tours will run on a rolling programme from 10.30am throughout the event, but places are limited so early booking is advised. Tours can be booked here. They start from the VIP entrance in Frogmore Road and finish in the Victory Lounge.
Please be advised that there are lots of stairs on the tour, so it is not suitable for people with limited mobility.
If you would like more information about our virtual tour of Fratton Park, please contact colinfarmery@pompeyfc.co.uk or call 023 9273 1204.