Isn't this Where I came in?

Imagine the scene. Two brothers set off for the bus station in "downtown" Fareham and catch a bus to Gosport. On a cold January night the two boys cross the harbour in the green ferry that plies the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour. The older boy marshals his charge off the ferry to a nearby double decker bus. Having climbed the stairs (because everyone knows the top deck is the ONLY place to ride) they are carried to Fratton and alight. They are consumed by a melee of men and boys all heading to one place. Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth Football club.

As the two lads were carried along with the throng they were greeted by a familiar sight. Their Dad. And so  together they marched in step to the ground. 

It was not a regular match but a FA cup fourth round replay against the high flying Charlton Athletic.  

It was also my first taste of professional football. 

The crowd was pretty intimidating to a 9 year old boy. In amongst all that smoke and sweat. Adults all pressing together and me only just able to see the sky, which was dark. The terraces all over have a trait of passing children to the front where they can see better. And so Me and my elder brother were pushed to the front where all I saw was the brick retaining wall and the underside of advertising hoardings. The only time I saw the ball was when a Goalie hoofed into the upper atmosphere where it briefly appears upon my horizon.

We lost 3 - 0, a fact I have never fully forgiven Charlton and their kind ever since. 

In such fashion the next generation of supporters/hooligans/season ticket holders are grasped by the football clubs up and down the country. And so I was.

Portsmouth was in dire financial trouble  however. It under  for the sake of £25000 which was raised by the fans.

Fast forward 36 years and guess what? it is January and Portsmouth are in dire financial trouble. To the tune of at least £20million. That would be some whip round down the Dog and Duck, Red Lion or Wheatsheaf pub or where ever Pompey fans do their drinking.

Pompey 'till I die

Play up Pompey