Pompey showed off the Community spirit yesterday, by treating pensioners to a traditional Christmas dinner at Fratton Park.
Directors Mark Trapani and Mick Williams were on hand along with club ambassador Alan Knight, PITC’s Clare Martin & PST board members Tom Dearie and Pam Wilkins, to serve turkey with all the trimmings to more than 150 people in Fratton Park’s Victory Suite.
Portsmouth’s Lord Mayor Stephen Wylie joined a host of guests at the event, including his predecessor Lynne Stagg and club stalwart John Jenkins. Many former Pompey players also attended, including Pat Neil, David Reid, Colin Crawford, Barry Cook and Bill Albury.
And among those special guests was Gladys, the wife of the late Bill Thompson, a former player and caretaker manager. His two goals against Aston Villa when deputising for regular striker Ike Clarke on the final day of the 1949-50 season were pivotal in the 5-1 win that earned Pompey their second consecutive championship title on the smallest of goal average margins.
This was the second year the event, organised by the Pompey Supporters’ Trust and sponsored by the Shepherd’s Crook and the Central Branch Supporters’ Club, has been held at the club.
Ann Williams, who organised the event alongside PST treasurer Steve Tovey, said: “It’s so nice to be able to do something for older people in this area and to get them into the club to meet the past players and have something to eat”.
“Half the people who came were from Portsmouth residential and nursing homes and a small group of people were put forward to attend by the Portsmouth Carers Centre. We then we had a group of about 70 or so from social groups run by Portsmouth City Council’s Independence and Wellbeing team.”
Ann added - “It’s a great way to get older people back into the club, some of whom have long been Pompey fans. It was lovely. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a really special event”.