Ken was born a few doors away from the Newcome Arms in Fratton. A lifelong Pompey fan, an addiction that even moving with his family to Devon couldn't cure and meaning many long hours driving to both home and away games, usually in the company of other Devon Blues, because for Ken going to a match was all about meeting up with friends in a pub before the game, and being Ken, usually making new friends as well.
He would of course always keep an eye open to make sure Pompey fans were being treated well by local stewards and police and was the first to intervene if he could see a problem.
Ken was an FSF National Council member and former FSF executive officer. For many years he was a leading member of the FSF Fans Embassy, funded by the Home Office and present at every England away game, handing out the “Free Lions” magazine with local information and helping fans with any problems such as lost passports or non-existent hostels. He always worked tirelessly for the right of football supporters to be treated as they would if following any other leisure activity and not as criminals.
When Pompey played in Europe in 2008, it was Ken who insisted that we should produce a Pompey version of the Free Lions – “The Euro Chimes” - for all three matches abroad and it was his hard work and determination that gained sponsorship for the printing of three editions with local information for Pompey fans travelling to the games.
We remain the only UK Club to have done this.
A founder member and elected board member of PST, Ken was honoured to become Chairman when the PST board decided that the Chair should not be one of the Club directors. Sadly his hopes of taking PST forward were not to be as soon after taking on the role, his health began to deteriorate.
Ken was equally at home in a bar full of rowdy football supporters or in a meeting with football authorities or high ranking police officers and was always well respected by both groups.
Ken was a well-mannered, well respected and well liked man who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Rest in peace, Ken.