Jed Wallace: The day mum was in tears because of Fratton abuse - and I came of age at Portsmouth

Pompey were in the midst of a season which would see them finish at their lowest Football League placing in the club’s history

And Jed Wallace had just missed a penalty in front of fractious home crowd as Andy Awford’s side laboured against Exeter City.

In the South Stand, the mother of the man who found himself the target of the supporters’ ire was in tears as the flak flew in the 73rd minute.

It’s the kind of moment which would’ve been too much for most young players to take, the type of occasion to make a promising talent under the spotlight retreat into their shell. Instead the afternoon proved the making of one of the most talented players to wear royal blue over the past decade - and one of the most memorable days of his career.

With time nearly up it was Wallace who stepped forward in spectacular style to win the points for his team in a season which would see him finish with 17 Pompey goals.

In a Fratton career which would span 121 appearances by the time he left at the age of 21, this was his graduation.

‘I loved it, said Wallace as he reflected on his Blues career in a Pompey Talk special which you can listen to HERE.

‘There were some special days but the underlying memory was missing the penalty against Exeter and then scoring that goal at the end.

‘That’s really what football’s all about for me.

‘My mum was crying her eyes out in the stand because a few people weren’t being very nice after I missed the penalty.

‘But that’s the emotion of football isn’t it?

‘It was amazing and still one of the best moments I’ve had in football.

‘I just think playing every week at a club like Portsmouth and keep myself in the team with so many people coming in and out the door is something I’m proud of.’

That defining event in the formative stages of Wallace’s career came in the second half of a season which saw his emergence accelerate from pacy to breakneck.

And the man who arrived at Pompey from non-league Lewes as a 17-year-old has told just how important that campaign was to his career.

Talk was constant the previous summer of a possible departure after a promising first 71 appearances for the Blues since his 2012 debut.

Wallace instead chose to stay under Andy Awford and continue his education at PO4. It was the best decision he’s ever made.

‘I think the most important thing for me was Andy Awford getting there,’ said Wallace of one his key influences getting the manager’s job on a permanent basis in 2014.

‘At the time it was constantly was I or wasn’t I going to make a move?

‘I was changing agent at the time to the one I’m still with to this day. He said “take a step back. You’re 18 at Portsmouth playing every week. So sign the contract, get experience and we’ll go from there".

‘That’s the advice I needed at the time: Stay at Portsmouth, play football and enjoy it. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.

‘Although the next season the team didn't do well, I felt personally I did.

‘I didn’t want to jump ship when Portsmouth gave me my chance and I still have that kind of affiliation with them now.’

Although his Pompey stay covers some of the most difficult times for the club in their history both on and off the pitch, Wallace is awash with positive memories from his time at PO4.

But there were the tough moments which also proved central to giving him the backbone and belief which today sees him reside in the Championship with Millwall.

‘There were some hard moments. I think that was part and parcel of it,’ Wallace added.

‘Maybe I was the only player who was there long enough for fans to feel they had an affiliation with me. That’s why I got bantered a bit.

‘There’s one game that sticks out, I think it was Mansfield at home.

‘I’d probably give myself a three out of 10, it wasn’t a good game.

‘I get subbed off after 60 minutes and I want to sit there and have a sulk for half an hour before the game finishes

‘It’s the only time I’ve had an argument with Mark (Catlin)

‘It comes on the Tannoy, “today’s sponsors’ man of the match number 35 Jed Wallace”.

‘I’ve said “oh, no” and just tried sliding down my seat.

‘People are screaming “you don’t know what your’re talking about!”. I agreed - I was terrible!

‘I was fuming and told Mark he was making me look stupid.

‘But it was just the match day sponsors who voted - they’d probably had eight Peronis!

‘They pick me and I think, to this day, Mark and the directors still okay the choice because of that - all because I had a stinker against Mansfield!

‘But really I was a free spirit and just went out and played. I don’t know if it was naivety or not.

‘Maybe under Awfs things didn't work at romantically as it should have been.

‘But he helped me to get to where I am and I have so many great memories from my time at the club.’