But it wasn’t for drinking straight away – it was to be saved until his beloved team won the trophy again. After years of waiting, however, Harry died in 1980 and the bottle was passed to his son Roy.

But Roy, too, was unable to crack open the bubbly, passing away in 2005.

So now the 69-year-old champers has been passed to the next generation and is in the hands of Martin Earl – Harry’s grandson.

With Pompey now reaching the FA Cup final, the 35-year-old fan is hoping he’s just a few days from tasting it.

‘If Pompey win on Saturday, me and my brother Andy are going straight home to crack the bottle open,’ said Martin, of Kelvin Grove, Portchester.

‘It’s what my grandad always wanted, it’s just a shame it couldn’t be done in his lifetime.

‘But if Pompey win, it will be a tribute to both him and the team when we pop the cork.’

The special bottle of champers has had several house moves over the years – it even survived the blitz on Portsmouth during the Second World War.

Now it’s safe in the home of Martin, who will be keeping a watchful eye over it until he and his brother head to Wembley at the weekend.

‘We’re really hoping Pompey do it this year,’ said Martin.

‘Although I’m not sure how drinkable this bubbly’s going to be after 69 years.’

If the Earl brothers get to open the bottle, the pair have vowed to replace the bottle to keep the tradition going.