Former Portsmouth FC defender Lewis Tallack makes Hampshire Premier League debut

You don’t get too many former Pompey players appearing at Hampshire Premier League level.
Lewis Tallack (red) made his Fleetlands debut last weekend at StockbridgeLewis Tallack (red) made his Fleetlands debut last weekend at Stockbridge
Lewis Tallack (red) made his Fleetlands debut last weekend at Stockbridge

But defender Lewis Tallack made his Fleetlands debut at Stockbridge last weekend, and is expected to feature against Clanfield on Saturday.

The 27-year-old has been loaned to the Gosport-based club by AFC Portchester manager Mick Catlin in a bid to improve his match fitness.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tallack was only recently signed by Catlin after spending the best part of a year away from football since leaving Blackfield & Langley.

Normally a right-back, Tallack - from Waterlooville - played alongside Luke Heard in the centre of defence at Stockbridge.

‘I had a centre half crisis,’ said Fleetlands boss Rich Bessey. ‘I thought I’d phone a few local managers to see if they could help me out.

‘I tried Lee Molyneaux at Gosport and Glenn Turnbull at US Portsmouth, and then I asked Cats (Catlin).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘I thought one of them might offer me a youngster, but Cats said I could have Lewis Tallack. I said ‘what, the Lewis Tallack?

‘Lewis isn’t as fit as he would like to be, but he’s only 27 - that’s a great age for a defender.

‘Hopefully we can help him get back to where he should be, he can help us with his experience. And we can help Cats out.’

Tallack appeared for Pompey against La Liga outfit Real Betis in a pre-season friendly in August 2011 during Steve Cotterill’s time as manager.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Along with fellow academy product Lewis Stockford, Tallack was included in a starting XI featuring the likes of David Norris, David Kitson, Ricardo Rocha and current Fratton Park first teamer Ryan Williams.

Tallack was withdrawn at half-time - Pompey went on to lose 5-1 - and a few weeks later was loaned out to Salisbury. He was released, along with current Fareham Town midfielder Stockford, in May 2012.

Tallack has subsequently played for Eastbourne Borough, Poole, Dorchester, Gosport, Wimborne and Blackfield.

Fleetlands - up to third after back-to-back wins at Locks Heath and Stockbridge - are desperate to get this weekend’s home game with Clanfield on, even if it means switching to a 4G surface.

‘Hopefully Lewis will be available,’ said Bessey. ‘I’d like to think we could keep him for a few weeks.

‘It’s nice to have good contacts with Wessex League managers like Cats.’

Related topics: