Blues favourites from across the generations descended upon Fratton Park on Saturday for the Former Players’ Day to mark the club’s 125th Anniversary.
Among those in attendance were 2008 FA Cup winners Hermann Hreidarsson and Pedro Mendes, League Two tittle-winning skipper Michael Doyle and Svetoslav Todorov, Linvoy Primus and Yakubu from the triumphant First Division side from 2002-03.
In addition, there were also south coast visits from Johnny Ertl, Norman Piper, Noel Blake, Paul Walsh, Alan Biley, Dave Munks, Ray Crawford, Mick Mellows, Jimmy Carter, Derek Showers, Gemma Hillier, John Milkins, Richie Reynolds, Terry Brisley, Guy Whittingham, Leeta Rutherford, Collin Sullivan, Martin Kuhl, Keith Viney, Kirsty Pearce (nee McGee), Paul Wood and Steve Davey.
And nine of those present explain what makes Pompey such a special club…...
5. Michael Doyle - 97 games, three goals
‘It was an honour for me to come down and play here, a brilliant time, capped by then getting success. ‘What makes any football club is the people, the supporters, while at Pompey it’s also internally, the people that work here are brilliant. ‘People always talk about football clubs being family - and certainly they always had that family feeling. From Kev McCormack, Barry Harris, Ashleigh Emberson, all the people in the offices, just amazing people who treat the players great. It’s a real family. ‘Then, when you go out onto the pitch in front of the travelling support home and away, there’s no better feeling than playing for Pompey. ‘It’s a big year for the club and luckily enough I’ve been able to come down. I haven’t been back here enough, I want to come back a bit more if I can.’ Picture: Joe Pepler Photo: Joe Pepler
6. Norman Piper - 358 games, 60 goals
‘The connection I felt when I arrived was fantastic. It was a family-orientated club, everyone got on, in those days we had only 18 players because the youth team had been scrapped. ‘The fans are very loyal to the club. Win, lose or draw, they are behind the club all the time, they’re amazing. ‘Even when you are losing, you’d be out there on the pitch and hear this ‘Play Up Pompey, Pompey Play Up’. 'Players like to feel that backing and it made us raise our games even more, trying to give 100 per cent for those people.’ PICTURE: Obtained from Library archives Photo: None
7. Hermann Hreidarsson - 123 games, eight goals
‘What makes Pompey special is the fans. The passion from the fans is second to none, they support you whatever. I was here for four years and all across the ride every game you know you have the backing of the supporters. ‘They are a different class. ‘I loved my time here, they were amazing years, it’s great to see old friends, I know the brilliant people around here. It’s great to be back. ‘The pinnacle of my career was the FA Cup win, having all those trips to Wembley and celebrating with the people of Portsmouth.’ Picture: Will Caddy Photo: Will Caddy
8. Dave Munks (Far right) - 149 games, two goals
‘I played at Sheffield United when they were First Division and the support was great there. ‘But when you come to Pompey, it’s something else, absolutely fantastic. ‘When I played down here, we used to go around the pubs and it was really close-knit, wonderful. I don’t think you will ever top that wherever you play. ‘I met my wife down here, it’s a lovely place. I remember when I met the manager, George Smith, about joining Pompey, he immediately took me along Portsdown Hill - and what a view that is. ‘You see that and think “I don’t want to go back to Sheffield!” - and I stayed here.’ Photo: None