Pompey are mourning the death of Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wilson, who has passed away at the age of 71.
The versatile star scored six goals in 216 appearances for the Blues after signing from Blackburn in January 1972.
He spent seven years at Fratton Park, during which time he played in three different divisions, featuring across the defence and also in a midfield role.
Wilson made his debut in a 2-0 victory over Cardiff at Fratton Park and later combined his first team duties with running the Pompey pub, along with wife Heather.
It was not unusual for him to walk off the pitch before 5pm on Saturday and be ready to open the bar for supporters an hour later.
He possessed a ferocious shot and arguably his best goal in a Blues shirt arrived in a Boxing Day encounter at Wimbledon in 1978, when the ball was stuck high into the net from 25 yards.
By then the club – hampered by financial problems – had sunk from the second division to the fourth for the first time in their history.
Wilson, perhaps predictably, continued in the pub trade after hanging up his boots and remained in the area, becoming a familiar figure at former player functions.
Everyone at Portsmouth Football Club would like to pass on their deepest condolences to all of Billy’s family and friends.