Boss Turnbull salutes memorable day for US Portsmouth

Callum Glenn in possession for USP during their FA Vase win at AFC Portchester. Pic: Martyn White.

Boss Glenn Turnbull hailed his players for the stunning display that knocked AFC Portchester out of the FA Vase.

While many clubs in the Wessex League pay their players, the US squad each pay £100 at the start of the season to sign on.

‘We don’t pay them anything, they all get the same - absolutely nothing,’ said Turnbull.

‘That says an awful lot about them.

AFC Portchester striker Lee Wort, left, in action during his side's FA Vase loss to US Portsmouth. Pic: Martyn White.

‘They pay for their own petrol to drive to away games, they pay for their own body warmers, their own training bags.’

Turnbull has previously spoken about his squad’s camaraderie being important, and that was certainly evident at The Crest Finance Stadium.

Youth and reserve players were there watching - along with the management of both teams - as US pulled off the greatest win in the club’s history.

Continuity is a key. All 13 players who appeared against Portchester were at US last season. In contrast, the Royals had eight players - including six who started - who have been signed since 2019/20 was abruptly halted by life in lockdown.

Boss Turnbull salutes memorable day for US Portsmouth – on and off the pitch