IT WAS a blue Christmas for Pompey fans on Saturday – but at least this time it was by choice.
Hundreds of fans dressed up in blue Santa outfits for the match against Preston, as part of a fundraiser by the club’s charity, Pompey in the Community.
The charity ordered 1,898 suits – a nod to the year the club was started.
Head of community projects Clare Martin said: ‘This is the first time we’ve done this. We would love this to become a regular thing. To see everyone in the blue suits is fabulous. People have been positive. Seeing people walk around with smiles on their faces is wonderful.’
To take part in the day, dubbed Santa Saturday, fans paid £10 for an adult suit and £8 for kids.
And plenty grabbed the opportunity.
Spencer Harrison, 36, of Powerscourt Road in North End, was there with sons Alex, three, and Lewis, five months, as well as wife Kerry and her parents.
He said: ‘Stuff like this is brilliant – the more the merrier, and if gets more people involved, it can’t be bad.’
Kerry added: ‘I expected it to be just us, but it’s nice to see loads of people taking part.’
Darin McCloud, of Stanley Road in Stamshaw, partner Hazel Meldrum, daughter Alison McCloud and grandson Oakley Hamilton, 11, had all dressed up.
The 47-year-old said: ‘we support the supporters’ trust, and this is one way of showing that. I think this idea is one that will keep growing and get bigger and better.’
Steve McIlwain, 47, from Littlehampton had his kids Katie, 15, and Nathan, six, with him. He said: ‘We wanted to get involved.
‘I’ve been wanting a blue Santa suit for years. We can wear it for Crawley on Boxing Day as well.
There was also free entertainment before the game with a pre-match Santa Stroll, Santa Zumba, facepainting and a snow machine.
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