The ideal Father's Day gift for Pompey fans

Then how about a copy of ‘Played Up Pompey’ autographed by Hermann Hreidarsson, Alan Knight or Norman Piper.

Penned by The News’ chief sports writer Neil Allen and a Christmas best seller at Portsmouth’s Waterstones store, the book focuses on 24 Fratton favourites spanning the decades.

In their own candid words, they lift the lid on Pompey goings on during some memorable stays on the south coast.

And accompanying each player’s account is a reproduction of The News’ match report on their chosen favourite Pompey game.

Those interviewed include Lindy Delapenha, the last surviving member of the 1948-49 First Division title-winning side, and Ron Saunders, the club’s third-highest scorer of all time.

Ron Newman, Mike Barnard, Billy Wilson and Piper represent the 60s and 70s with sterling service and eternal popularity.

Inevitably 801-game Knight is also featured as are his former team-mates Alan Biley, Alan Rogers, Mick Kennedy, Mark Hateley, Noel Blake, Guy Whittingham, Andy Awford and Alan McLoughlin.

There are also 2008 FA Cup winners Sylvain Distin and Hreidarsson, plus members of the outstanding 2002-03 promotion side in Arjan De Zeeuw, Matt Taylor and Paul Merson.

Last, but definitely not least, are FA Cup 2010 semi-final star Ricardo Rocha, Demolition Derby star Lomana Lualua and the irresistible Robert Prosinecki.

And who else to contribute the foreword than Barry Harris, whose various roles in the backroom began in 1952 and have seen him become a familiar – and popular – Fratton figure ever since.

In addition, he has worked with all but one of the players contained within ‘Played Up Pompey’.

In total, the book carries interviews with eight different recipients of The News/Sports Mail Player of the Season, nine Pompey Hall of Fame members, two FA Cup winners and a host of other Blues promotion winners at different levels of the Football League.

‘Played Up Pompey’ is priced at £16.99 and remains on sale in Waterstones stores in Portsmouth, Fareham and Chichester as well as on Amazon.

However, limited edition copies signed by Hreidarsson, Knight and Piper are also available from The News.

These are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be obtained by contacting [email protected]

In addition, there are also copies signed by David Norris and Jamie O’Hara, both goal-scoring heroes in south-coast derbies which stick long in the memory of the Fratton faithful.

Alternately, to order an unsigned copy from Amazon you can click here http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1910421057/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdl_i0hywb05B53EG