Like father, like son: New Portsmouth appointment keeps it in the family at Fratton Park
Louis Langdown spent three years as a member of the backroom staff at Fratton Park until his May 2015 exit
Pompey are keeping it in the family with their latest backroom appointment.
For new physio Riley Langdown is following in his father’s footsteps by finding employment at Fratton Park.
Louis Langdown spent three years with the Blues as strength and conditioning coach before incoming boss Paul Cook sanctioned his departure in May 2015.
The former Crystal Palace man had served under Guy Whittingham, Richie Barker and Andy Awford during dark League Two days after fan ownership had rescued Pompey from liquidation.
Langdown senior also helped oversee the introduction of the Portakabins to the Blues’ Copnor Road training ground in 2014, in addition to creating the players’ gym which remained in place until the summer of 2024.
Appointed lead academy physio
Now his son has been appointed as lead academy physio, having left AFC Totton at the season’s end after a 10th-placed finish.
The 24-year-old Riley operated as first-team physio with the National League South club, while the University of Chichester graduate has also worked for Eastleigh and Southampton.
In a post on X last month, Totton last month announced his departure: ‘It is with regret that we announce the departure of @LangdownRiley who will leave the club this summer for pastures new, as he takes up a new role at Portsmouth Football Club.
‘Thanks for everything Riley, all the best for the future!’
With Max Whittingham also at Pompey as first-team fitness coach, it means the next generation of Whittinghams and Langdowns are now at Fratton Park - more than 10 years after their dads worked together.
Chaotic times at Pompey
He began his career as performance analyst at Crystal Palace under Iain Dowie and Peter Taylor, before moving into fitness and sport science roles at the club.
There were also spells at Southampton and Bournemouth before joining League Two Pompey’s rebuild, having been saved at the High Court in April 2013.
Initially with Guy Whittingham as Blues boss, Langdown would work under three managers in a chaotic 2013-14 season, including Richie Barker and caretaker boss Andy Awford.
Having kept Pompey in the Football League, Awford was appointed permanently in May 2014, with Langdown remaining on the backroom staff.
However, the 2014-15 campaign saw further Blues struggle, with Awford sacked with four matches remaining and first-team coach Gary Waddock stepping up as caretaker manager to complete the season as they finished 16th in League Two.
In May 2015, Paul Cook quit Chesterfield to take over at Fratton Park, with Langdown, Waddock and Paul Hardyman subsequently dismissed from the existing backroom.
He soon started lecturing at the University of Chichester, where he is now MSc course leader in Sports Performance Analysis, while later served as Totton manager for four seasons and today remains involved with the Southampton-based club.