Pompey are mourning the loss of Cyril Rutter, who recently passed away at the age of 87 following a brave battle with cancer.
The defender spent 10 years at Fratton Park between 1953 and 1963, making a total of 180 appearances for the club.
He played rugby as a young boy and only turned to the round ball when he moved to Portsmouth just after the war.
Rutter became an apprentice at the dockyard and represented England at youth level against Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
He then signed professional forms with the Blues and made his debut in a 1-1 top-flight draw with Cardiff in October 1953, replacing the injured Duggie Reid.
A tough and uncompromising figure at the heart of defence, he later switched to a right-back role and impressed in both positions.
Rutter was a member of the side that secured the Division Three title in 1961/62, featuring 39 times that term.
He departed in January 1963 to become director of coaching for the US Forces side stationed in Germany.
Later returning to England to become player/manager of Salisbury, he also partnered with former Pompey team-mate Peter Harris to run a restaurant on Hayling Island and became a familiar face on the local bowls scene, along with wife Joan.
Everyone at Portsmouth Football Club sends their deepest condolences to Cyril’s family and friends at this sad time.
Supporters are invited to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in his memory.