Thank you all for joining us for this afternoon’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Leyton Orient. Welcome to everyone connected with our visitors who has made the trip from the capital. We have already had the pleasure of being warmly received at the Gaughan Group Stadium twice this season and we trust everyone has a safe trip home.
Our last home game witnessed a great start to 2024, with a hard-earned victory over high-flying Stevenage. It was, therefore, extremely frustrating that such a dominant display at Cheltenham last week went unrewarded. It was heartening to see such outstanding support and, after the final whistle, our magnificent fans staying in their seats to applaud the team off the pitch. It was really humbling and we all appreciated such a strong show of encouragement, despite the obvious disappointment. I know everyone today will do their very best to deliver an entertaining contest and a performance to maintain our status at the top of the table.
We are all devastated for Alex Robertson, who cruelly suffered a hamstring injury just prior to the Cheltenham match. The severity is such that it will likely keep him out for the remainder of this season. Everyone at Pompey wishes Alex well with his rehabilitation, which will take place back at Manchester City.
The transfer window is now open and the primary objective is to ensure we finish January with an even stronger squad. Rich Hughes and Phil Boardman have been diligently planning for a range of different scenarios, recognising the need for flexibility to respond to the various, and sometimes unforeseen, challenges that always emerge after an intense run of fixtures over the festive period. This window is always fast moving and I expect you will be able to see some initial movement over the next few days, if not between the period these notes were written and today.
Off the pitch, we were thrilled to learn on Christmas Eve that our safe-standing licence application had been approved by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA). This means we can now officially use and market the 4,500-plus rail seats in the Milton and Fratton Ends. These will make Fratton Park even safer, while providing the option to stand to the many who wish to do so. I am particularly grateful to Marie Stedman, our head of safety and stadium operations, who has worked long hours to deliver the application, as well as all those from the SGSA and the Safety Advisory Group who have supported us in securing the licence.
We are delighted to take part in the EFL Community Weekends, which celebrate the incredible work delivered by community staff at all clubs. We are all extremely proud of the difference that Pompey in the Community make across the city and surrounding areas and are delighted to announce that Gill Ripiner has been chosen as Pompey’s ‘Community Hero’.
Gill has been volunteering with Pompey in the Community for more than five years, mainly on the fantastic ‘Pompey Pedals’ programme, which provides free accessible cycling. She is a serial volunteer across the city, including bucket collections at Fratton Park and taking charge of the runners outside the historic dockyard during the Great South Run.
The Pompey Pedals team – and indeed all the various activities run by PitC – are constantly looking for new volunteers. If you fancy joining Gill in making an impact on hundreds of people every week, then please do contact them. There are thousands of loyal supporters and dedicated volunteers we could mention, but huge congratulations to you, Gill, for being crowned our community champion!
Pompey Women are involved in a top-of-the-table clash at Westleigh Park tomorrow, when they host Hashtag United (2pm kick-off). A win will see us return to the summit and with two games in hand on our opponents. Last week’s 1-0 victory at Billericay – an amazing eighth successive triumph in the league – carried on the fantastic momentum that has been apparent since we took the team semi-professional back in June. The match also saw head coach Jay Sadler celebrate his 200th game in charge. This represents a remarkable landmark for a person who has dedicated so much to develop the team and take them forward to the exciting position they find themselves in today.
Tickets for Sunday’s fixture have been selling briskly, already exceeding the best home league attendance this season. We are looking forward to welcoming a big crowd to cheer the women on in this crucial test and hope you might consider joining us there. Tickets can be purchased online or on the day at the turnstiles, with children’s entertainers present for what is always a great family occasion.
Next week, the men make the long trip to Fleetwood and are on the road again the following Saturday, with a match at Port Vale. Our next home game sees us play Northampton on February 3, when we should see a fully completed Milton End, while half-season tickets will be valid for the first time.
Thank you to all those who have purchased tickets for these upcoming away games and we look forward to seeing you back here in three weeks – and maybe at Westleigh Park tomorrow! Enjoy the game and PUP!
Andrew Cullen
Chief Executive