Third time lucky: Popular Portsmouth event moved again
The long-running event was initially meant to take place on Easter Sunday
The popular Pompey Hall of Fame Dinner has been moved - again.
Although this time it is on the recommendation of an impending inductee, who has requested the event to happen at the start of next season.
The long-running event, which is organised by the Pompey History Society and Pompey Former Players Association, was then mooted to potentially take place this month, coinciding with the World Cup.
However, there has now been another rethink, with the Hall of Fame now pencilled in early October, Pompey home fixtures permitting.
‘Once we looked at the logistics of it, we also felt it made most sense’
As ever, the three inductees will be kept under wraps until the day and, according to Colin Farmery, one of them has given the latest change of date his stamp of approval.
Farmery told The News: ‘We discussed it with our inductee and his preference was for early in the new season sometime. Once we looked at the logistics of it, we also felt it made most sense.
‘If we did it in the summer, there’s loads of work currently going on at Fratton Park, the car park is difficult at the moment due to the works going on at the stadium, so, when we totted it all up, we decided to move it, probably to early October.
‘Once the fixtures come out next week, we can have a look at them and pick a Friday before a Saturday home game, because that encourages former players to come down.
‘Going forward, we may take this opportunity to separate the Former Players’ Day and the Hall of Fame. Historically, they have always gone together, but they are events which stand in their own right.
‘There was no Hall of Fame last year, yet we still had 30-odd former players come down for the Former Players’ Day. We’re thinking this is an opportunity rather than cramming everything into one date.
‘If you put 4-5 months between the events, then you might get two bites at a cherry. There are all kinds of considerations and we’re trying to think how we can futureproof it as well.’
Alan Biley sell-out
Meanwhile, the Pompey History Society have declared their forthcoming Evening with Alan Biley a sell-out.
All 90 tickets have been sold for Friday’s event, which will take place in the Victory North Lounge at Fratton Park.
Another popular Pompey figure, former kitman Kev McCormack, is the subject of a Special Evening at The Gaiety on South Parade Pier, also on Friday night (7.30pm).
Big Kev will be telling stories about his 27 years at Fratton Park, having been appointed by Alan Ball to succeed Gordon Neave in the summer of 1999.
Tickets are priced from £20 and can be booked by visiting www.book.events/kev
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