Portsmouth blow as popular Hall of Fame forced to be postponed
The popular event first took place in 2009 and has honoured many of the greatest names in the club’s history
Pompey’s popular Hall of Fame Dinner has been postponed.
Although organisers have pencilled in June as an alternative date for what has become one of the best fixtures on the club’s footballing calendar.
The long-running event had been scheduled to take place at Fratton Park on Sunday, April 5, with three new Hall of Fame inductees to be honoured by supporters.
Organised by the Pompey History Society and Pompey Former Players Association, as ever the identities of those worthy names to be inducted this year had been a closely-guarded secret.
Now the decision has been made to shelve the latest event, with organisers blaming the ‘logistics’ of hosting it on Easter Sunday, a time when a number of those expected to attend, including former players, will instead be spending the day with family.
‘It’s postponed. We definitely haven’t cancelled it’
Jake Payne, Secretary of the Pompey Former Players Association, told The News: ‘Unfortunately, logistically it wasn’t going to happen. Easter Sunday wasn’t the best date to hold it.
‘I have been successfully organising these for many years and this is the first time it has happened. It has to be a good night with a full room, it needs to be the best it can be,
‘With the Former Players’ Day taking place on Easter Monday (April 6), we automatically thought the Hall of Fame should take place the night before, as in previous years.
‘However, it has turned out to be a mistake to have it on that day considering there were supporters and ex-players who were unable to attend due to family commitments at that time of year.
‘So the decision was taken between myself, Colin Farmery and Mick Comben. We have postponed it, although we definitely haven’t cancelled it. I have spoken to the only living player scheduled to be inducted and explained the reason. He’s a bit gutted, but fully understands.
‘I want to make it clear, this was our decision, not the football club’s. We rent the room, it is not a club function, so nobody at Portsmouth Football Club should be criticised over this.
‘Instead, we’re looking to put the Hall of Fame Dinner on in June, when the World Cup’s on, so there’s a bit of a buzz about football. For any function, you really need a bit of feel-good factor.
‘I’ve done everything, I’ve written the script, had all the footage made, it’s all ready to go - but instead we’ll use it in the summer.’
Former Players’ Day going ahead
The Hall of Fame has been running since 2009, although there was a five-year hiatus before its return in 2024, when Hermann Hreidarsson headed the list of inductees.
Despite this year’s postponement, Pompey’s successful Former Players’ Day will go ahead as planned the following day on Monday, April 6.
Overseen by Payne and Roger Higgins, 27 ex-players will be introduced onto the Fratton Park pitch at half-time of the Championship game against Oxford United.
They will include Alan Biley, Linvoy Primus, Guy Butters, Ray Crawford, Steve Davey, Gavin Maguire, Mick Tait, Lee Sandford, Ashley Harris, Billy Gilbert and Kit Symons.
In addition, the families of late ex-players Anton Walkes, Jon Gittens and Jimmy Dickinson will also be in attendance.
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