How bingo in Cosham and cheesy chips with curry sauce have transformed Ronan Curtis' Portsmouth performances

From playing in front of a full house to shouting it, the secret behind Ronan Curtis’ remarkable Pompey form can be revealed.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

For the mercurial Irishman has been inspired by regular Friday night bingo sessions with his family.

Curtis has netted 11 times and claimed eight assists in 23 matches since restored to the Blues’ starting line-up at the end of October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Bundled out of Kenny Jackett’s team following a spate of indifferent performances and condemned to bench duty, the 23-year-old has roared back with devastating results.

It has coincided with the introduction of eve-of-game visits to Cosham Crown Bingo and a plate of cheesy chips with curry sauce, attendances accompanied by parents Marie and Dave, brother Blain, and, on occasions, Pompey team-mate Andy Cannon.

The newly-established routine is credited with relaxing Curtis ahead of Saturday afternoon fixtures – and how Kenny Jackett’s side are reaping the rewards.

The left winger staged more heroics during Tuesday’s dramatic Leasing.com Trophy semi-final encounter with Exeter, conjuring up John Marquis’ winner six minutes into time added on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Although Pompey are this evening staying overnight at Fleetwood, Curtis will be back at the Cosham High Street-based bingo club next week.

Pompey favoruites Ronan Curtis and Andy Cannon have become regulars at Cosham Crown Bingo, which is managed by Darren Bessey (centre)Pompey favoruites Ronan Curtis and Andy Cannon have become regulars at Cosham Crown Bingo, which is managed by Darren Bessey (centre)
Pompey favoruites Ronan Curtis and Andy Cannon have become regulars at Cosham Crown Bingo, which is managed by Darren Bessey (centre)

Mum Marie said: ‘Ronan loves bingo, I don’t know why, perhaps it’s because when they were children we would play it at home.

‘I let him think he’s taking me to bingo, but really it is me taking him! I do it because I think it improves his football.

‘We’ve been doing this for the last couple of months, since he has been playing well, and it has now become a routine.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We’ll go on a Friday evening and it takes his mind completely off the match which is taking place the following day. He’s not sitting at home thinking about things, he’s relaxing and playing bingo.

Ronan Curtis (second left) and his family, plus Andy Cannon, are regular Wednesday and Friday night visitors at Cosham Crown BingoRonan Curtis (second left) and his family, plus Andy Cannon, are regular Wednesday and Friday night visitors at Cosham Crown Bingo
Ronan Curtis (second left) and his family, plus Andy Cannon, are regular Wednesday and Friday night visitors at Cosham Crown Bingo

‘If he wins, he wins. If he doesn’t win, he doesn’t. It chills him – and, when he returns home, he has a cup of tea and goes to bed because he’s tired.

‘Ronan isn’t pestered, he just sits in the corner with us and, when the break comes up, is happy to sign autographs and have his picture taken with people.

‘What I really like is the Pompey game gets put completely out of his head, it keeps him out of Gunwharf buying clothes or sitting at home thinking about everything.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Darren Bessey has managed Cosham Crown Bingo for the last seven years, assisted by wife, Donna.

Ronan Curtis at his work place - Fratton Park - as Pompey's 13-goal leading scorer this season. Picture: Joe PeplerRonan Curtis at his work place - Fratton Park - as Pompey's 13-goal leading scorer this season. Picture: Joe Pepler
Ronan Curtis at his work place - Fratton Park - as Pompey's 13-goal leading scorer this season. Picture: Joe Pepler

He recalls how former Pompey striker David Nugent once turned up to play, while, until recently, Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam was a weekly visitor.

Now it’s Curtis who represents the star attraction, albeit preferring not to draw attention to himself, instead focusing on his bingo card over several cups of tea.

Bessey and his wife have become firm friends with the family, visiting their Old Portsmouth home on several occasions for a spot of dinner cooked by Marie.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And Pompey’s winger even offered his services to the bingo hall for a Christmas Eve meet and greet to help his friend boost custom.

Bessey added: ‘Marie is the boss of the family! She rang me about a year ago and asked if they could come along, mentioning her son played for Pompey.

‘As an Arsenal fan, I had to Google Ronan’s name to see who he was – and it’s a proper Pompey player!

‘They came down a few times, but in the last few months have made it a regular thing, normally on Wednesday, which is our quiet day, and Fridays.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘They don’t drink, they sit there with a cup of tea, while Ronan always has cheesy chips and curry sauce, although has now got to the stage where he wants chicken nuggets with it as well.

‘Considering his superb recent displays, he now has a ritual where he must have his food at the bingo hall at a certain time, which is not a problem because my wife cooks it. He’s gone from being a customer to a very good friend.

‘The pressure footballers are under nowadays is difficult, but, coming to bingo, Ronan doesn’t have to worry, he is left alone and sits there so relaxed. He’s a normal person going about his business.

‘He will also spend time with anybody, signing birthday cards, posing for photographs, giving a little old lady a cuddle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The family are very down to earth. At the end of the night they’ll pick up all their dirty cups and plates and take them back, even wiping down their own table. Most customers leave those things lying around, you don’t have to clean up after yourself!

‘The night before Christmas Eve, Ronan phoned and said: “As you have treated my family so well, I want to help you, I want to organise a meet and greet”.

‘The following day, he stood outside in the cold for more than an hour signing whatever people brought to him. He didn’t have to, but he did. That’s the sort of person he is.’

Bessey and the Curtis family are also bonded through their support of Arsenal, the March 2 visitors to Fratton Park in the FA Cup.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dave Curtis, Ronan’s dad, was a Crystal Palace fan who borrowed a friend’s season ticket to watch Arsenal on regular occasions – and soon caught the bug. Through watching matches on television, his youngest son was also later educated.

At Christmas, Dave visited Arsenal’s club shop, returning with several Arsenal-branded coats, one of which Marie often wears at Fratton Park to maintain warmth.

For the eagerly-anticipated fifth-round visit, however, Bessey will be a notable absentee.

He added: ‘We fly out to Florida on Sunday, I am gutted, but it was booked in October.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Donna and myself go to Disney World twice a year, we love it, I can’t think of anywhere more magical to visit. I’m missing the game, though!

‘I think it’s going to be a shock for Arsenal. I’ve been to the Emirates and they’re not used to all the singing and atmosphere they’ll experience at Fratton Park.

‘I want Ronan to do well, don’t get me wrong, but I want Arsenal to win. It’s always got to be Arsenal!.’

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.