Pitman record puts him among Portsmouth goal greats

The striker celebrated his 50th appearance by netting in Saturday's 3-1 triumph at Rochdale.

In the process, the former Bournemouth man registered his 29th goal since arriving from Ipswich in July 2017.

It's a prolific return over an opening half-century of outings which establishes Pitman alongside many Blues greats.

In fact, only Mick Quinn and Duggie Reid surpass the Pompey skipper's haul.

Quinn arrived at Fratton Park from Oldham in March 1986 and went on to net 32 times in his opening 50 appearances.

That included a goal on that 50th outing '“ a 2-2 draw at Reading in April 1987.

The Scouser departed the Blues in July 1989 for Newcastle, with a record of 68 goals in 137 matches.

Reid, known as '˜Thunderboots', was a pivotal member of Bob Jackson's side which claimed the Division One title in successive seasons.

He blasted 31 goals in his opening 50 Pompey matches, a return only beaten by Quinn.

Reid, who later became Fratton Park's groundsman, left in the summer of 1956 having amassed 328 appearances and 136 goals.

Pitman is third on that list '“ and ahead of many notable names.

Pompey record-scorer, Peter Harris, totalled 208 goals in 518 matches, with 16 arriving in his opening 50 appearances.

Ron Saunders, the club's third-highest scorer, fared more impressively with 28 coming in the same period, putting him fourth on this particular list.

Next comes Dave Kemp, a Pompey player perhaps too briefly, nonetheless he registered 27 times in his opening 50 matches.

Alan Biley brought up his 50th outing with the match-winner which secured the Division Three title at Plymouth in May 1983.

It was his 26th goal and, of course, the blonde bombshell continued to score many more Pompey goals.

Guy Whittingham amassed 115 career goals for the Blues, with 26 of them recorded in his first 50 outings.

Meanwhile, Gerry Creaney is perhaps a surprise name on the list, yet at the time of his 50th outing in January 1995 at Derby had racked up 25 goals.

Pompey goals after 50 appearances:

Mick Quinn '“ 32

Duggie Reid '“ 31

Brett Pitman '“ 29

Ron Saunders '“ 28

Dave Kemp '“ 27

Alan Biley and Guy Whittingham '“ 26

Gerry Creaney '“ 25

Svetoslav Todorov and Ike Clarke '“ 24

Johnny Gordon and Peter Crouch '“ 23

John Aloisi '“ 22

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