We will never die! Pompey fans roar their defiance
Pompey’s long-suffering fans roared out a defiant ‘We Will Never Die’ battle-cry in a night of pride at Fratton Park.
Supporters demonstrated their love for the troubled club, with many staying to sing and chant long after the end of a 1-0 defeat against Ipswich Town.
It might have been a cold Valentine’s evening, but 14,330 Pompey fans were in full voice at Fratton Park as they proudly showed the world why their football club must never die.
It’s been a tough couple of years for supporters of Pompey. Owners have come and gone but the fans have remained committed, through the good and the bad and now they join another fight to stay alive.
At a 1-0 defeat to Ipswich Town, there was a disappointingly low crowd. But those who were there proved that Portsmouth Football Club is still alive and kicking with some inspirational singing and chanting.
As the players emerged from the tunnel, The News’ ‘Pompey ’Til I Die’ flag was passed over the heads of the 4,500 fans in the West Stand.
Although there was a lull in the first half, in the second half, the atmosphere stepped up a gear and chants of ‘We will never die’ echoed around the ground.
Around 2,000 fans stayed behind for up to an hour after the final whistle to show their support for the club, singing ‘We’re not going home’ and ‘Get out of our club’ – a protest against the owners who have been involved in the club but have let the fans down.
For the second time in just two years, Portsmouth Football Club looks set to enter administration which it is hoped will delay a winding-up order issued by HMRC – but will bring with it a 10-point deduction.
The News backed the Pack the Park campaign by the Pompey Supporters Trust to encourage fans to turn out for the team in a time of crisis.
Martin Bailey, 30, from Stamshaw, was one of the last fans to leave the ground and said he was delighted with the way the fans responded.
‘It’s absolutely fantastic,’ he said. ‘It’s about all of us standing up together and showing that this is what it’s all about.
‘This is our team and our club. We will never die.’
Some of the players returned to the pitch to applaud the fans who had refused to leave the ground and after supporters called for manager Michael Appleton, he also appeared to show his gratitude to the dedicated and passionate supporters.
Police were eventually called in to encourage supporters to move on and one man was arrested.
Scott Mclachlan, Pompey Supporters’ Trust spokesman, said: ‘Once the chanting of “we will never die” got started the support from fans was fantastic. People were on their feet for 15 minutes keeping the chant going.
‘It’s a shame the team didn’t perform as well on the pitch. We had key injuries and I think the team was tired from the weekend. But it’s wonderful to see the passion and pride of the club and sends out a strong message.
‘Whatever happens in the courts and administrators, the beating of the heart of the club will always be with the fans.’
As fans filed out of Fratton Park, their commitment to Pompey was loud and clear.
Dave Dobbin, 70, of Bembridge Crescent in Southsea, said: ‘It’s fantastic. It always has been.’
‘This club is a big part of the city. It’s the life and blood of the city.’
Mark Eveleigh, 51, travelled from Reading and is originally from Portsmouth.
‘It was probably the loudest I have heard it in a long time,’ he said.
‘This club is part of the fabric and the history in Portsmouth. If you take the club away you are taking away part of the city.’
Son John, 20, from Southsea, added: ‘It’s good to see during the club’s difficult times, we have got a massive show of support.’
February 14, 2012, will remain memorable for a different reason for one couple.
Lifelong fans Hayley Samuel and Daniel Whitcher drove down from their home in Devon.
And 33-year-old Hayley got a big shock when Daniel got down on one knee on the pitch in front of 14,000 people at half time to ask for her hand in marriage.
‘I was expecting a pint of beer at half time,’ she said. ‘I’m so emotional. We’ve come here tonight just to support our team. Tonight was an important night so we came to support our team. We don’t know what’s going to happen so we came to show our support.’
Fiance Daniel, 36, added: ‘She’s been a Portsmouth fan all her life. I love her to bits. She said to do it properly, so I did.’
It’s not clear what will happen in the future and how the upcoming court appearances will affect the club. Last night’s game might not have seen the result that the fans wanted, but they made their feelings loud and clear: We will never die.
Meanwhile, Pompey Supporters’ Trust members will have more time to construct a stronger Plan B package if the club is granted administration on Friday.
Trust representatives have been working hard to put together a ‘worst-case scenario’ model to form another club if Pompey are liquidated.
Pompey were set for a winding-up petition hearing over unpaid tax at the High Court on Monday, but a successful administration application would see that thrown out.
Scott Mclachlan, spokesman for the supporters’ trust, said, if administration is granted on Friday, members will have more time to research facts if the worst happens and the club is wound-up.
He said: ‘Plan B is being worked on.
‘What administration means is that we have more time to source things than we would have if the club would have gone bust on Monday.
‘Now it looks as if the club could be saved until the end of the season.
‘It is being worked on and will be ready if the time comes.’
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 24 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
colinh
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 02:08 PM@23 phrric? Had me reaching for the dictionary then but couldn't find that word!
AllMouth
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:42 PM@22 - Fair points, ColinH. In many ways our FA Cup win was the ultmate phyrric victory. Well, other than the one that one in the phyrric wars when thousands of people died. Actually, compared to that it's not that bad at all.
colinh
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:29 PMA good turnout on Valentines night and yes all football teams have aq loyal core of fans. Only when a team is doing well do grounds fill to capacity as that lot up the road will tell you. A few years ago those inbetween these 2 south coast cities would only choose Pompey to follow and support; in particular children. I suspect with the tide once again turning that that support will swing west once more. I remember I was the same in the 70's when I was a teen and that lot up the road were in (and won) the FA Cup Final in '76 against none other than Man.Utd. That excitement repeated along the south coast with Pompey just a few short years ago. Success gained at a massive price as all Pompey fans have found now.
phill2935
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:54 PMWell done the people that were there, i think The News picked the wrong game to pack the park it was always going to be a battle to fill the park on valentines day. I'm sure the next home game will give a better measure of support. With regards to the game I think we are not being allowed a fair crack of the whip, how can we expect to perform week in week out with a squad the size of ours and get results? The minimum size for a squad is supposed to be 20, we have 18 the FA must let us bolster the squad.
SouthernDandy
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:42 PMI wouldn't get too attached to that 14,000 figure. I expect if Pompey get into League 1, it will then decline down to 10,000, if not lower.
AllMouth
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:31 PM@16 - If that's what you'd rather have then that's fine, but it's also why Saints are going to leave us behind. They get an extra 10,000 bums on seats every week, and regardless of how much noise they do or don't make that extra revenue is the gap that separates a Championship promotion side from a Championship relegation side. Some people on here need to get realistic about economics and lose the sense of entitlement and victimhood that is all too prevalent on here.
mensi
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:16 PMIf the stains do go up they will fit in well with the other teams with quiet cut out cardboard fans , with the exception of Stoke and Newcastle i cant remember their being a atmosphere anywhere worthy of matching fratton park.
WaitingForYou!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:10 PMPost 13, not including PL or our promotion season (02-03) Our average attendendances for this and last season are actually better than any of the previous 13 year's before.
trencher
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:04 PMId rather have the passion of 14000 than 25000 souless stains in their plastic stadium.
mensi
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:56 AMDid Pompey fans leave in their thousands with 15 minutes left Boooing their team as they left ..No , Thats the differance between pompey and that lot up the road
pedant
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:39 AMComment 1. 32,000 plus at Upton Park last night
StuNorthEnd
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:26 AM@12 - spot on. 14K is the loyal band - we are not the best supported club in the land. The foray into the PL cost the club many older fans. Sky's stupid kick off times, glory hunters, ticket prices......etc. Your average turn up on the day for a few beers type fan was lost - and there goes your other 5K fans along with their kids that couldnt or cant afford to go. Was it all worth it ?
AllMouth
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 11:02 AMThis is pretty embarrassing, to be honest. We have this myth of having the best fans in the world, when what we actually have is a small but vocal core of loyal fans, and they're not great enough in number to keep us playing at the level those fans want. However, this reputation the fans have is a definite selling point and will help the administrators to find us a buyer. And they will find us a buyer, I can guarantee.
andi4asg
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:39 AMAs I posted last night, well done to those of us who showed up, so sad to see an empty Milton End though. To all of you stay away supporters? your money will actually help to pay outstanding bills and keep this club alive. Get real get off your arses and support your club. stop moaning about people bleeding us dry stand up and be counted not snipping from behind your keyboards. you are quite happy to pay ridiculous amount to revenue every time you fill up your cars, buy a pint or packet of cigarettes, why not stop driving smoking and drinking until We have a new government? PUP PTID
lucas5
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:26 AMTo the 14000 who were there, good effort on showing how much you care for the club. BUT that dont make you heroes, all it means is you are financing a bunch of prima donnas who just turn up to be payed, players and people in charge of the club are just using you for your working class wages to finance themselves. unfortunately football is dead and only money talks theses days. I will ot be spending any more money down at the park untill REAL football comes back to the people which we all know will never happen!
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