'Proud day' for lifelong Blues fan
Portsmouth Football Club are delighted to announce David Willan has joined the club’s Board of Directors.
David is a lifelong Pompey fan, Pompey Supporters’ Trust member, community shareholder and President.
He joins the Board with immediate effect and will bring significant expertise to the club in the fields of marketing and strategic planning.
He is a successful businessman in his own right, currently running his own marketing agency. He is also a Governor at the University of Portsmouth.
David said: “This is a very proud day for me as a fan who attended his first game in 1960. We must never forget the massive contribution made by the Trust, Presidents and many other people in saving the club from extinction, stabilising the finances and securing the support of our fantastic fan-base.
“But now is the time to move forward and to build on what’s been achieved to date. This means achieving the right balance between ambition – returning to the Championship at a minimum – and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the football club.
“I'm naturally very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to this and am really looking forward to working with all members of the Board.
“I was also fortunate to be able to invest directly in the club as a President. In consequence, I have a rounded perspective of the club’s investor base and I am sure we can harness the respective strengths each element brings to move the club forward.”
Chairman Iain McInnes said: “Just as all teams look to add talent and skills to their squad, it equally befits a business, and football is a business, to act in similar fashion. Having stabilised and then progressed the club in numerous areas, it’s incumbent on us as a board to plan and achieve prudent but measurable growth.
“The ‘safe hands’ that I believe we can claim as custodians of your club can work compatibly with progressive brains and we intend to demonstrate that intent.
“David is an astute and well connected businessman. A significant proportion of his commercial life has been in the establishment and growth of companies and brands where he’s regularly promoted a strong advocacy of close teamwork.
“It is with genuine pleasure and appropriate expectation that on behalf of all the board, we introduce him to you and welcome him to join us in our quest for a much brighter and more successful future for your club.”
Ashley Brown, chair of the PST, added: “David is an excellent addition to the Board. I have got to know him well of late and it is clear he shares the Trust’s values and is a passionate Pompey fan. His role with the University is particularly welcome, as they are a significant organisation in the city.
“This appointment is further evidence of everyone at Pompey working together for the good of the club.”
David lives near Sevenoaks in Kent, is a regular at Fratton Park and attends away matches whenever possible.