Vital Pompey‘s paultsmouth is next to take Vital Barnsley’s ‘Getting To Know You’ interview, as we look forward to the new season:
What made you become a Pompey supporter?
Same as most I suppose, location, they are my local club, my family moved down to the coast in 1976, I come from a line of Spurs fans as that was the team of choice in Hatfield, but on relocation Pompey it was for me.
Do you remember your first Pompey game?
Certainly do, I was just about to turn 9, evening game in November and I sat on the red-gra surrounding the track at Fratton, it was lashing down, I had my hands in my pockets and headed a ball back into play as I could not move, that was it for me, Pompey all the way!
Who is your favourite Pompey player from your lifetime?
A few to choose from, I idolised Alan Biley in the early 80’s like most young fans, Paul Walsh was the king of the 90’s, but for me it was a more recent player and one Barnsley will be familiar with. Arjen De Zeeuw, I played centre back myself so always look to those players, but everything about the man epitomised what a footballer should be, he played with passion, respected his fellow players and fans, and he was one player you felt would have played for free if asked, and of course he scored on April 24th 2005!
And your favourite current Pompey player?
Have we got any left? Hreidarsson is another in the DeZeeuw mould so he courts favour, Marc Wilson has all the tools to succeed, but I’m really struggling to find a stand out! Our club has had well documented troubles, I suppose I’m waiting for a new hero to emerge out of the debris.
What do you love about Pompey?
Pompey is a passion that is deep, it has been one of the constants of my life, I love going to a game, the whole build up everything, I enjoy the comments from the crowd and the unswerving loyalty of our fans, away games are special days out, win or lose, now I enjoy going with my eldest son after originally going with my Dad years back.
What would you change about Pompey?
What wouldn’t we change right now? Debt free is a pipe dream, we have had a moneymoon without building for the future, the players we have had, have gone with their wallets stuffed full, while the ground continues to crumble and the plans for a training ground get closer to expiring. I would change football as a whole though, money is its King right now, you have mediocre players and even youth players making a fortune, the Premiership and Sky have ruined what was a game of passion and pride and turned it into a franchise and marketing scheme.
Pick out the best and worst moment of last season?
Best moment was beating Spurs 2-0 at Wembley when they honestly thought they were going to wipe the floor with us, in fact most Pompey fans thought the same! We came through that one though and had a great day out, probably for me it surpassed our win in the final 2 years back.
Worst moment was when we kicked off the season back in August, the whole debt and tax evasion stuff was starting to unfold and the vultures were in, every time a chink of light appeared it was snuffed out and the clouds blackened further.
What are your expectations for next season?
Survival I suppose, until the court cases have finished we are hamstrung, we have a limited squad and are really in limbo, my one salvation is Bournemouth’s performances last season in a similar situation, we have a few local lads will figure this season, who knows how they will fare.
Who will stand out for Pompey next season?
Nugent should shine a lot brighter now he is back down a level, he has a lot to prove to Pompey fans, maybe this could be his year.
If you could bring any player into the Pompey squad, money and reputation aside, who would it be?
Thierry Henry, he would be welcomed at Fratton after donning a shirt a few backs after he was applauded off the pitch after destroying us for Arsenal, he is getting older but cut the Championship to pieces.
Most memorable game against Barnsley and why?
Our last meeting at Fratton, it was a 4-4 draw, Prosinecki scored a hat-trick and teased your defence every time he got the ball, it really was like watching a grown man toy with small children, trouble is we couldn’t defend for our lives either!
Why are you back in the Championship?
We are back for all the wrong reasons, we lived the dream, blew our wedge, went bankrupt and paid the price!
With thanks to Vital Pompey Ed paultsmouth for his answers to these questions and best of luck for the new season.
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Not sure about Handballing Henry, whatever the Pompey you see now won’t represent the Pompey you will play. Good luck you flat cap types; just not against Pompey we will need it all just to survive.