A very warm welcome and thank you all for attending Fratton Park for this afternoon’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Shrewsbury Town. We trust all those who have made the long journey from Shropshire have a safe journey home after the match.
Another memorable and dramatic evening was played out here on Tuesday in a pulsating atmosphere created by a crowd of more than 20,000. The volume of noise – both before and after kick-off – was incredible and played a huge part in the team’s response after twice falling behind to an experienced Derby team. A wet, slippery surface and a swirling wind added a tricky dimension to a crucial contest, but the testing conditions never impacted the confidence and belief of our players.
Congratulations not only to Owen Moxon, who scored a sensational maiden goal for Pompey, but to everyone – players, staff and supporters. You all played your own part towards securing another point at such a critical stage of the campaign. I must also pay tribute to a team of unsung heroes. Neil Stephenson and his ground staff worked wonders to ensure the pitch was fit for play, despite 15mm of rain falling in just three hours prior to the game – yet another example of the special togetherness that runs richly right through the club.
There can be no room for complacency from anyone as we go into the final five fixtures of this special season. Your encouragement, belief and support throughout each minute of every match will be pivotal if we are to create and deliver the success you all deserve.
Today we welcome several other Pompey heroes back to the club for what has now become our annual Former Players’ Day. You will all get the opportunity to recognise them at half-time and we were delighted that many of them were with us yesterday evening for the Hall of Fame dinner held in the Victory Lounge.
That event also saw us celebrate 125 years of Portsmouth Football Club and the induction of FA Cup winner Hermann Hreiðarssonn, as well as, posthumously, Dave Coyle for services to Pompey Women over more than 25 years. The theme of commemorating the special history of the club was continued with the induction of Bob Blyth, a player in the very first Pompey team before going on to become player/manager, director, vice-chairman and chairman from 1924-34.
The dinner was also part of a special week which had earlier seen the Pompey Supporters’ Trust unveil a stunning mural on the wall of the Pompey Store featuring more club greats, namely Alan Knight, Paul Merson, Guy Whittingham, Robert Prosinečki, Kanu and Linvoy Primus. The tribute represents another brilliantly executed triumph for the PST in our 125th anniversary year and follows on from their marvellous fundraising efforts to deliver the Jimmy Dickinson statue in September, which stands proudly close by.
The nostalgia theme is further capped today by the release of new retro shirts – the much-loved KJC-branded jerseys worn between 1997 and 1999. They will be sold exclusively through the Pompey Store, which will be open before and after today’s match.
On Thursday it was revealed that Marlon Pack had been included in the nominations for League One Player of the Year at the EFL Awards. This followed our captain’s recognition last week as the League One Player in the Community winner. There was further good news as John Mousinho received a nomination for League One Manager of the Year, while the club are also on the shortlist for the Fan Engagement Award. This also recognises the fantastic work delivered by our partners Piglet’s Pantry in improving the catering concessions and their role in establishing the new FanZone outside the Fratton End. The awards ceremony takes place in London on Sunday, April 14. We are proud of all our nominees and wish them every success at next weekend’s event.
Tomorrow could see Pompey Women take a gigantic step towards clinching the National League Southern Premier Division title when they host Plymouth at Westleigh Park (2pm kick-off). Just four points from three games are needed, although one win should be sufficient with the women enjoying a goal difference of plus-63 compared to second-placed Hashtag United’s plus-23. It promises to be a wonderful occasion and please do consider being a part of a memorable moment in what has been an outstanding season for everyone involved with Jay Sadler’s side. Admission is £8 for adults, £5 seniors and £3 under-18s, with further discounts for season ticket holders of the men’s team. As ever, we will have our popular face painters and balloon modellers in attendance and more Pompey Women merchandise on sale inside the ground.
Then on Wednesday, our academy side play a huge match at Fratton Park, taking on Preston in the final of the Youth Alliance Cup. South Stand tickets for this match are now available and can be purchased online, priced at £5 for adults and £1 for those aged 17 and under.
Thank you all for your support today and we look forward to seeing many of you at Bolton next Saturday before we return here on Tuesday, April 16 for the rearranged contest with Barnsley (7.45pm kick-off).
Enjoy the game and PUP!
Andrew Cullen
CEO
