Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement

Biscoes
Sponsored by
Official Portsmouth Football Club Partner
www.biscoes-law.co.uk - 0845 4566 944
 
 
Thursday, 8th January 2009

Premium Article !

Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button.

Options

Premium Article !

To read this article in full you must have registered and have a Premium Content Subscription with the The News site.

Subscribe

Registered Article !

To read this article in full you must be registered with the site.

Slideshow: Heads held high for the end of a great adventure



Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date:
05 December 2008
Like all good things it came to an end – but it's been one hell of a ride.
Pompey's amazing Blue Army trooped home today after seeing their dreams of Uefa Cup glory dashed in Germany.

But despite their despair at the 3-2 defeat against Vfl Wolfsburg which sealed their fate, supporters held their heads high.

The deafening roar of Pompey supporters in Wolfsburg's stunning stadium last night was typical of the pride fans have raised the roof with during their Uefa campaign.

View pictures of the Blue army in Wolfsburg

And although fans were bitterly disappointed, they know they will have treasured memories of Pompey's first ever European adventure.

Fan Paddy Thomas, 66, from Hayling Island, said: 'I'm very disappointed. But it's no good anybody blaming any of the players.

'It's our first trip into Europe, and from the fans' point of view I don't think we should be down-hearted.

'We have got to get over it and concentrate on the league.

'Let's remember AC Milan – we were in dreamland against them. I'm not going to feel negative. We wouldn't have dreamed of this a few years ago.'

Portsmouth South Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock, who listened to the game at home, said: 'I think the whole city will be sad, it's such a shame. I'm disappointed, but hopefully the experience has done everyone good and it's been brilliant for the fans.'

In Wolfsburg, Malcolm Flack, 44, from Copnor, and his son Sonny, 17, were determined to stay positive.

Malcolm said: 'I'm glad we came. It has been a good trip. What can I say? We just didn't play well in the second half. But we have got to follow Pompey around Europe so it's not all that bad really.'

Fans in Wolfsburg's Volkswagen Arena sang their hearts out as the blues took them on an emotional rollercoaster on a freezing night.

Pompey fell behind within the first three minutes before hitting back to go 2-1 up. But they could not hold on to the lead and conceded an equaliser before half-time. The dream ended when David James gifted the German side victory about 20 minutes from the final whistle.

The result means Pompey can no longer qualify for the next round of the Uefa cup, and their game against Heerenveen next week against the Dutch side will be their last in the competition.

John Bradley, 50, from Crookhorn, said: 'I'm disappointed. We just don't have the strength in depth to compete in the Premiership and in Europe.

'We have now got a lot of older players and there is a feeling we have hit a glass ceiling. But it has still been a good trip.'

The full article contains 465 words and appears in The News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 05 December 2008 10:03 AM
  • Source: The News
  • Location: Portsmouth
 
 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
 
  

 
 

News


Entertainment


Pompey


Other sport


Business


Elections


Awards


Community


Campaigns


Information


Advertising


We Can Do It




Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.