THIS WEEK IN 1975: Pompey fans flock to save their football club

Pompey launched their appeal to raise Â£100,000 at a stormy public meeting at the Guildhall, collecting Â£1,109,71p.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Dec 2016, 06:00 BST

Updated 6th Dec 2016, 15:41 BST

Pensioners, young children, factory workers and businessmen all put their hands in their pockets for the future of Pompey as collection boxes made their way around the attending crowds.

It was Pompey’s commercial manager at the time, Bill Davis, who created the Action Committee – which lead the club’s plea for funds.

He said: ‘I was hoping that we would top £1,000 –that was what we were aiming for and I’m very pleased.

‘This shows that people in the city still want a football club and are prepared to help it. The phone has not stopped ringing with ideas on how to raise cash.’

However, it was not all support for Pompey that night.

When club representative Peter Faulkner, tried to close the meeting after just an hour, critics demanded the chance to pose more questions.

Following a chorus of booing and slow clapping, the floor was eventually opened up for more questions.

Pompey