Tributes paid to Portsmouth FC fanatic Basher Benfield who 'defined spirit of club' as funeral cortege passes Fratton Park
TRIBUTES were paid to a Pompey fanatic who defined the spirit of the club with his relentless passion despite suffering ill-health for many years.
The funeral of Howard ‘Basher’ Benfield took place at Portchester Crematorium on Friday afternoon with the cortege making its way past Fratton Park en route where well-wishers paid their respects.
As the procession paused in Frogmore Road, a round of applause broke out from those gathered who showed their appreciation for the popular figure during a poignant moment as the rain came down.
Tears were shed by some while fond memories of Basher brought a smile to faces.
Pompey’s chief executive Mark Catlin was among those who lined the streets along with other staff from the club and Claire Martin, chief executive of Pompey in the Community and Paul and Sarah Banks, who run Banks Coaches, providing coach trips for away matches.
They were joined by many of Basher’s pals past and present and Pompey fans who came out to pay tribute.
The 56-year-old, who died at Queen Alexandra Hospital on October 11, will go down as one of the elite band of recognisable Pompey fans who rarely missed a game - a feat that was even more remarkable considering his faltering health.
Alan Knight, the former Pompey ‘keeper, said: ‘Even when he was at his lowest ebb he still wanted to go to every game.
‘He was a big, big part of the Pompey family and he touched a lot of people’s lives and there is a genuine feeling of loss.
‘I feel very honoured to have been invited to the funeral and represent the club. All the players and staff at the club knew him and were upset at his passing.’
Alan added: ‘He was a lovely, nice honest guy with a wicked sense of humour. He gave me a lot of stick about mistakes I made - I will miss the banter.
‘It’s very sad to have lost him. There is a lot of sadness at the club where there are people that have known him for decades.’
Basher’s passion for the club was epitomised when he left hospital against doctor’s advice to attend matches at Fratton Park.
Not just a regular at first-team games he would also be seen at reserve and youth team matches.
Basher missed just 20 Blues matches since the 1980s, including friendlies.
In total, he estimated attending more than 3,000 Pompey games and watched 794 of the Pompey legend Knight’s 801 appearances.
He managed all this despite being born with mild spina bifida and having a kidney transplant in 2000 and suffering a stroke.
Regardless, he continued to attend Pompey matches in a wheelchair - home and away - until lockdown was enforced in March.
Johnny Moore, supporter’s liaison officer at the club who knew Basher for 30 years, said: ‘I will remember him as one of the great Pompey fans.
‘He attended matches several times against health advice and left hospital to watch home games. Pompey was his passion.
‘He suffered a lot over the final years but you would never know it. He had a very quick sense of humour and was very sharp.
‘Basher is among the handful of diehard Pompey fans that everyone would recognise. He will be hugely missed.’
Away from the pitch, he was involved in fan representation, previously serving as activity organiser for non-football events with the Pompey Supporters’ Club (Central Branch).
At his passing, he was chairman of the Portsmouth Disabled Supporters’ Association, a responsibility which saw him attend the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference.
And during the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust’s successful battle to seize back control of their club, he financially contributed to two syndicates raising funds to meet the £1,000 valuation of shares.
Blind Pompey fan Nick Whyley, 60, recalled going away on trips with Basher. ‘I would always say the best person to room with is Basher...because he was never there,’ he said.
‘Basher was always smiling and joking and his attendance record was second to none. He once went to Millwall on his own when all fans were banned going there and somehow got in.
‘We scored five that day and he had to sit there all day and not cheer or show his colours. Even some of the Millwall fans realised who he was but they respected his efforts.
‘Away trips were always a great day out with Basher win, lose or draw.’
One of the younger Pompey fans Brad Taylor, 29, was taken under Basher’s wing. ‘He was a legend who made everyone’s day better.
‘You could lose 10-0 and he would still be coming out with jokes. He had brilliant banter too - he would always call me “Monty”, because he thought I looked like the golfer Colin Montgomerie.
‘You would never know he was so sick, he never moaned, he just got on with it.’
Ted Meredith, 61, who first met Basher in the ‘70s, said: ‘He was a staunch supporter and defined the Pompey spirit. Everyone knew him and not one person had a bad word to say about him.’
Will Lewsley, 57, played football with Basher when they were kids and enjoyed match days together as adults. ‘I’ve known him for 40 years,’ he said. ‘He was such a nice person and would do anything for anyone.
‘We would just chat about Pompey on game days.’
Other friends remembered him travelling with the diehard fanbase in the ‘70s and ‘80s into enemy territory where trouble could flare on occasions.
‘We were loyal and passionate fans,’ one said. ‘Sometimes there would be trouble but Basher was never involved.’
Barry Harris, part of the Pompey boot room who has been involved with the club since becoming a mascot in 1952, said: ‘Basher was not one to sing songs but was very knowledgeable about Pompey.
‘He gave me a nice football statue to celebrate my 60 years at the club. He will be very missed.’