Alan Knight has paid tribute to his friend and former team-mate Alan McLoughlin, who has sadly passed away at the age of 54.
The duo played together at Fratton Park throughout the 1990s, helping the Blues reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup and go close to promotion.
And after ‘Macca’ lost his brave battle with cancer, Knight was keen to highlight his attributes as a footballer, but also a person.
Pompey’s club ambassador said: “Like everyone, I was shocked to hear the news. He was a lovely family man and I’m gutted for Debbie and their girls.
“He was a loyal friend and if you ever needed him, then he would be there. I’m absolutely devastated.
“I’m not articulate enough to describe just how great a guy he was and there aren’t enough accolades I can give him.
"He was a loyal friend and if you ever needed him, then he would be there. I’m absolutely devastated."
“Having played alongside Macca at Pompey and worked with him as a coach, I always knew I could rely on him.
“It’s easy to forget that he used to be a Southampton player and that speaks volumes about just how good he was.
“There aren’t many who are able to cross that divide, but the fans loved him – and so did his team-mates.
“What a player he was. He scored some fantastic goals for us and was an incredibly creative midfielder.
“He’s viewed as a god in the Republic of Ireland – and rightly so – because of that goal he scored that took them to the World Cup.
“Everyone knows how talented a footballer he was, but it’s easy to overlook that he was also a great coach.
“Macca had a dry sense of humour and the world is definitely a worse place without him in it. He was a top bloke.”
🗣️ ''They've scored, Portsmouth have scored, McLoughlin''
— BBC Radio Solent Sport (@solentsport) May 4, 2021
Alan McLoughlin scored the only goal in Pompey's 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter finals in 1992
It's a goal that will go down in @Pompey history 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jNxc8RQe9y