Pompey are mourning the death of Ron Saunders, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 87.
The former centre-forward struck 156 goals in 258 appearances during his six years at Fratton Park and was later inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.
He was signed from Gillingham for £8,000 in 1958 and only had to wait until his second fixture to open his Blues account in a 2-1 victory at West Brom.
Saunders also bagged a hat-trick in an incredible 4-4 draw with Tottenham that marked Jimmy Dickinson’s 500th league game.
His performances were often the bright point of a side that suffered two relegations in the space of just three seasons, tumbling down from the first tier to the third.
But Pompey’s fortunes changed in the 1961/62 campaign, with Ron netting 26 goals to help secure the Division Three title.
He then finished as Division Two's top scorer two seasons later, with a tally of 34 that included trebles in successive games against Newcastle and Leyton Orient.
Saunders was controversially sold to Watford for £15,000 early in the 1964/65 campaign and later played for Charlton.
He then enjoyed a successful managerial career and guided Aston Villa to the top-flight title in 1980/81, as well as lifting the League Cup on two occasions.
The thoughts of everyone at Portsmouth Football Club are with Ron’s family and friends at this sad time.