Our latest Blues in the Community update highlights the involvement of Pompey players and staff in the local area over the past couple of months.
Will Norris and Terry Devlin were the latest players to attend a meeting of the Central Branch Supporters’ Club this season, following in the footsteps of Colby Bishop, Alex Robertson, Connor Ogilvie and Josh Dockerill.
Despite the recent defeat to Leyton Orient, they visited the Legends Lounge to give an honest reflection of the game.
The pair also answered questions from members about their careers and aspirations, and posed for photographs.
Two more players have made a trip to the University of Portsmouth – our main club partner – to discuss their life in football.
Goalkeeper Ryan Schofield was first up, while the following week saw Anthony Scully – who has recently returned to fitness following an injury-hit start to life on the south coast – speak with students.
And Joe Rafferty attended St Vincent College with the University last month to answer questions from BTEC students about careers within football, while Regan Poole went to a similar event at St Edmund’s.
Meanwhile, Joe Rafferty and Christian Saydee took part in some filming with our partners Nutrition X – who offer a range of products and supplements that are scientifically formulated by a team of world renowned sports nutritionists – with that content to be released in due course.
Club ambassador Alan Knight represented Pompey at the Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, held in the Banqueting Room at Portsmouth Guildhall.
He joined the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, Tom and Nikki Coles, for an event which welcomed people from all faiths.
Connor Ogilvie went along to the Royal Navy free run in December – not to race, as he was injured at the time, but to cheer on all those who were taking part.
The decorations might have been down for a few weeks, but Christmas saw Pompey engaging in plenty of community work.
There was a visit to QA Hospital by John Mousinho, Rich Hughes and members of the men’s and women’s teams to deliver presents.
The gifts – which were donated by sponsors – were purchased by Kusini Yengi, Alex Robertson and Christian Saydee during a shopping spree.
Some of them also made their way to Southampton General Hospital, where Mousinho, Tom Lowery, Jack Sparkes and Joe Morrell visited the paediatric intensive care unit.
And Pompey’s head coach also joined Rafferty and Will Norris in a trip to Naomi House & Jacksplace hospices to spread even more festive cheer.
Along with all the giving, there was also plenty of singing, with Mousinho attending The News’ carol service at St Mary’s Church – where he gave a reading – and Pompey in the Community’s sing-along at Fratton Park.
From singing to signing, as Blues defensive duo Sean Ragget and Denver Hume were at the club shop to meet fans, while Terry Devlin and Gavin Whyte popped into a holiday coaching course at Miltoncross Academy.