Christian Burgess delivers essential medication to self-isolating former Portsmouth winger

For the recipient was former Pompey player John McClelland.

McClelland was a lightning quick winger who represented the Blues 150 times and scored 38 goals from May 1963 until April 1968.

Now aged 85, he lives in Hayling Island with wife Heather, who won two Olympic medals in the 4x100m relay.

For the past two months, the Heart of Hayling Boxing Academy have been delivering medicine from four local pharmacies to the elderly on the island.

And, during Burgess’ customary two rounds a week, he encountered McClelland.

Richard Coates, a Hayling Boxing Academy committee member, said: ‘There are people in our community who are currently isolated and unable to go out to collect their medicine.

‘We work in partnership with four Hayling Island pharmacies and instead deliver to homes.

‘Sometimes it involves us collecting supplies from QA Hospital or somewhere else off the island, but it’s not a problem as this is about community spirit.

‘We normally have 10 people helping with the rounds, with Christian joining us twice a week.

‘On Friday, we visited John and Heather to drop off their medicine. John came to life when he saw Christian, it really lifted him chatting to another footballer and about representing Pompey.

‘He told us he still listens to the games on the radio and brought out his programme collection from his playing days.

‘Christian also asked John if he would like to be his guest for a Fratton Park game in the future. Which he was keen on doing.’

On Friday, Burgess and Nelson, the Pompey mascot, also visited the Hayling home of Molly Plavenieks.

The five-year-old has been in isolation having undergone a liver transplant.