Our latest Blues in the Community update highlights the involvement of Pompey players and staff in the local area over the past month.
The beginning of February saw the latest meeting of the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference occur on the morning of the home victory over Northampton.
Chief executive Andrew Cullen, sporting director Richard Hughes, chief operating officer Tony Brown and director of sales Mark Judges were on hand to answer questions from members of various supporter groups.
The topics discussed included Pompey’s business during the January transfer window and improvements to Fratton Park and the training ground, as well as ticketing, merchandise and the women’s team.
Goalkeeper Matt Macey and academy manager Greg Miller were the guests at the latest meeting of the Chichester Supporters’ Club.
The former spoke about his decision to return to the club back in January, while the latter discussed his plans for the youth set-up.
They answered plenty of questions during the 90-minute event and were only too happy to chat informally with members once the official business had concluded.
Further afield, Cullen, Hughes and head coach John Mousinho welcomed the Northern Blues to the team meeting ahead of the match at Carlisle.
It was the supporter group’s annual event and spokesperson Yvonne Seymour said: “It was a good meeting enjoyed by all – there were some interesting questions and answers. Our thanks to all and it was amazing that afterwards we won.”
The club’s partnership with the University of Portsmouth has seen Jack Sparkes, Marlon Pack, Colby Bishop and goalkeeping coach Joe Prodomo visiting Fareham College, Priory School, Havant College and South Downs College to speak with students.
Meanwhile, Mousinho attended a Premier League Kicks coaching sessions, while Zak Swanson and Josh Martin surprised children taking part in a Pompey in the Community holiday course.
Sean Raggett made a personal visit to a supporter who is recovering from an operation, with team-mates Christian Saydee and Abu Kamara went to a ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ event, where they awarded prizes for the best questions.
February was a busy month on the charity front, with signed shirts and balls donated to good causes, as well as Pompey fans enduring tough times.
Among those to benefit were a group providing one-to-one support for adults learning to read; The Beau Halo Trust, which provides a holistic approach to bereavement aftercare;the Multiple System Atrophy Trust; Macmillan Cancer Support; and Minnie’s Broken Heart appeal, which is raising money for a young girl to receive a life-saving heart operation.
Others to receive signed merchandise include a couple of students running the London Marathon to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research and the Yasmin Caldera Memorial Fund; and a supporter suffering with lung cancer.
Members of the squad have also been to events with our partners, with Owen Moxon and Ryan Schofield donning their hard hats to meet our friends at Hughes & Salvidge.
Ben Stevenson also joined club ambassador Alan Knight in receiving a blood pressure check as part of a service offered by Lalys Pharmacy ahead of recent matches.
