'I couldn't let my son play for Southampton, no way' - The proud Portsmouth families whose sons are living the Portsmouth fans' dream

‘Charlie had signed a pre-contract at Southampton, but I just couldn’t do it, I couldn’t take him up there any more. I couldn’t do it,’ he chuckled.

‘Andy Awford and Dave Hurst came round our house trying to persuade him to instead join Pompey. Well, we’re massive Pompey fans. It didn’t take a lot of persuasion.

‘It had made me sick thinking of my son playing for them down the road.

‘We chose our club and Southampton weren’t happy about it, they were absolutely fuming.

‘In fairness, Pompey had offered Charlie something way before them. He was aged seven-and-a-half and also training with Chelsea, so three clubs were looking at him.

‘Southampton invited us to a game. They were in League One and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored. The Academy bloke started clapping when it went in and looked at me nodding, expecting me to join in.

‘I told him I couldn’t do that. I can’t cheer Southampton goals, I can’t. I’m Pompey through and through.’

The Bell family live in Inhurst Road, North End, and on Tuesday evening, Danny, his wife Annette and three of his children were joined by Charlie’s girlfriend Lilly. iFollow was showing Pompey’s game – and Charlie was starting.

The 3-0 Papa John’s Trophy success over Cheltenham represented the former Mayfield School pupil’s second first-team outing following last month’s Fratton Park bow against West Ham under-21s.

Such is football’s current climate, Danny has been unable to be present at both of his 17-year-old son’s appearances for the club they support.

They were long-time season ticket holders in the Fratton end and accompanied each other to the 2010 FA Cup final.

Yet the proud dad has so far been deprived of the opportunity to be in attendance for the moments they long dreamed of.

He added: ‘I thought Charlie played well at Cheltenham. He’s very composed, very calm, but just wanted to get on the ball more.

‘These sort of things happen when you play in a 10 role. He was finding some lovely little pockets, but in that position you don't always get the ball, it’s quite difficult, even though I think he’ll end up playing there.

‘He was buzzing after his debut last month. He’s a really laid-back boy who has loved playing football from the age of two, he doesn’t get fazed.

‘That match against West Ham benefited him, without a doubt. From what I have seen in the Academy games, he has since gone up another level.

‘It’s a little taste of what possibly may happen – and he has gone back there and absolutely flown, certainly from what I have seen. He’s scored twice too.

‘It’s really frustrating not being with him when he’s playing for Kenny Jackett’s first-team, but you just have to do what you’re told. It is what it is.

‘Me and my brother, Sam, set up a bio response business in March. Since the pandemic we’ve been constantly on jobs disinfecting places to ensure they are covid-free.

‘On Wednesday morning we got the call to drive to the Warner Bros studios in Watford. We’ve been there 20-25 times since September, cleaning the sets.

‘I’ve seen what it’s like out there, there’s a good reason why I can’t see Charlie play. You just have to get on with it.

‘Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see him play for the first-team a few more times yet.’

Alfie Stanley was in the year above Charlie at Mayfield School, although the pair were briefly team-mates at BSS Portsmouth Youth.

Both would progress through Pompey’s academy set-up, age separating them by a year. In November, they made their first-team debuts together against West Ham under-21s.

Stanley, a free-scoring striker who graduated from the Academy last summer, briefly turned out for Bognor earlier this season, yet remains a regular training presence with Jackett’s squad.

For Tuesday night’s trip to Cheltenham, the 19-year-old joined fellow youngsters Bell and Haji Mnoga in the starting line-up of an otherwise experienced Pompey side.

While Mnoga got himself on the scoresheet, Stanley can reflect on a clever headed assist to lay on a plate Jordy Hiwula’s first goal in the 3-0 victory.

Naturally, that key contribution drew a roar of approval from a household in Beaulieu Road, North End.

Dad Chris said: ‘The build-up was good, they strung three or four passes together and Cameron Pring’s cross wasn’t really whipped in, it was pulled back.

‘Alf had to adjust to it, he took a step away from the defender, which we often talk about. When you’re that bit smaller, if you stay away from the defenders when the ball comes to you, you have that one touch in front of them.

‘We watch quite a few strikers on the TV, he lives and breathes it to be fair. He puts a lot of thought into it by studying the likes of Sergio Aguero.

‘I cannot stress how much it means to Alf, he has dedicated his whole life to it.

‘He has properly pushed himself. He cramped up in the Cheltenham game, so went to the gym the following day to work on his upper body work. It’s about giving himself the best chance you can.

‘Alf’s genuine Pompey. I remember taking him to his first game against Middlesbrough in May 2004, when he was two-and-a-half.

‘We were in the Fratton end, with John Westwood on our shoulder. The noise was too much for him, he asked to leave because he felt sick, so we went outside and sat on a curb while waiting for his mum to arrive.

‘When she turned up, I went back in to watch the rest of the game! We won 5-1 and Yakubu scored four of them.

‘He did return, though, we had season tickets together in the South stand’s family section, while Alf later sat with his mates in the Fratton end.’

Alfie represents a second generation of Stanley family to play for Pompey, although his dad never reached first-team level.

As a highly-regarded midfielder, Chris was in the same Blues youth side as Kit Symons, coached by the likes of Alan Ball, Peter Osgood and Graham Paddon.

Among the crop below – and also some-time team-mates – were Andy Awford, Darryl Powell and Darren Anderton.

However, a back injury would force his withdrawal from the professional game.

Cruelly the heartbreaking prognosis arrived six months before his scheduled graduation – and with a three-year Pompey contract tantalisingly on the table.

Instead, Chris headed down the non-league route, playing under Jack Pearce at Bognor for three seasons, in addition to spells at Waterlooville and in San Diego.

He added: ‘When I was on Pompey’s books, Mark Kelly was in the year above and we were mates.

‘Years later, we bumped into each other during an antenatal class at St Mary’s Hospital. We were expecting Alf and his wife was waiting for their son Liam.

‘I caught up with him a few years later and he asked if Alf had any interest in football. When I told him he did, Mark said “I’ll get him into Pompey”.

‘He had never seen Alf play, but took my word on it. I wasn't going to put my son in there just for the fun of it, I knew what I was talking about. Then Alf ended up progressing through the ranks.

‘Playing for Pompey didn’t happen for me, unfortunately. It was hard, football was the world to me.

‘But, to this day, I tell Alf: “You don’t realise the fortunate position you are in, don't throw it away”.

‘He understands. Give it your best and, wherever it may take you, if you’ve given your all then you can live with yourself.

‘Alf’s definitely got the commitment and heart, though. He’s a Pompey boy.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

The News has launched a new subscription offer which gives you unlimited access to all of our Pompey coverage, starting at less than £1 a week.

You can subscribe here to get the latest news and transfer updates from Fratton Park - and to support our local team of expert Pompey writers.