Five entrants in 38 years – Craig MacGillivray joins Portsmouth goalkeeping legends in reaching landmark

In doing so, he became just the fifth Blues goalkeeper in almost 38 years to achieve the feat.

The June 2018 recruit from Shrewsbury marked his personal landmark during the 4-1 victory over Crewe, which lifted Kenny Jackett’s side into fourth spot.

Yet in the last four decades, it has been a rare accomplishment for a Fratton Park goalkeeper.

In fact, since Alan Knight reached his 100th appearance in March 1983, only Aaron Flahavan, Shaka Hislop, David James and Jamie Ashdown have managed three figures.

Now MacGillivray has joined their illustrious ranks.

Previously, the last keeper to reach 100 games was Jamie Ashdown in April 2011.

Arriving in the summer of 2004 under Harry Redknapp, the former Reading man was largely restricted to number two duties until later in his Pompey career.

During the 2010-11 campaign under Steve Cotterill, Ashdown was an ever-present, featuring in all 50 of the Blues’ matches.

His 100th outing arrived in a 1-1 draw at Burnley in April 2011, going on to make 123 appearances for the club.

Since then, Pompey keepers have rarely lasted longer than a season as regulars - until now.

In the last nine-and-a-half years, we have witnessed Stephen Henderson (twice), Simon Eastwood, Mikkel Andersen, John Sullivan, Phil Smith, Trevor Carson, Paul Jones, Brian Murphy, Aaron McCarey, Ryan Fulton, Ryan Allsop, David Forde, Alex Bass, Liam O’Brien and Luke McGee.

Even then, MacGillivray was dislodged from Jackett’s side at the start of this year, with Bass promoted for the remainder of a curtailed campaign.

However, after regaining his place following the Carabao Cup win at Stevenage, the former Walsall man has re-established himself as first choice.

Saturday signalled his 17th appearance of the campaign so far – and 100th for the Blues.

David James reached his century during four seasons at Fratton Park, totalling 158 games in all competitions.

In a memorable stay on the south coast, he regained his England spot, was twice crowned The News/Sports Mail’s Player of the Season and won the FA Cup.

Before him was Shaka Hislop, who made exactly 100 appearances before released by Alain Perrin at the end of the 2004-05 season.

Recruited on a free transfer from West Ham in the summer of 2002, he was an ever-present as Redknapp’s side won the Division One title to reach the Premier League.

Finally there’s home-grown keeper Aaron Flahavan, whose life was cut so tragically short at the age of 25.

Making his debut in January 1995 against Leicester in the FA Cup, he went on to feature 106 times before dying in a car accident in August 2001.

Of course, there is one main reason why so few Pompey goalkeepers have recorded the milestone in the last 37 years, eight months and 21 days.

His name is Alan Knight MBE.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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