Luckless Portsmouth record holder Joe Hancott departs Fratton Park

The left-back created club history in August 2017 when he became the Blues’ youngest post-war debutant.

Aged 16 years and 161 days at the time, he went on to feature on three occasions for Kenny Jackett’s first-team.

However, his Pompey career has been wrecked following an ACL injury to his right knee in October 2019.

A succession of setbacks subsequently kept Hancott on the sidelines, culminating in this week’s departure.

It’s a sad exit for the likeable 20-year-old, who is never without a smile.

Hailing from Ryde, Isle of Wight, he had been on Pompey’s books since the age of eight, rising impressively through the ranks.

Then, on the occasion of Fulham under-21s’ visit in the Checkatrade Trophy in August 2017, he was named in Jackett’s starting XI.

In doing so, Hancott broke Gary O’Neil’s record set in January 2000 for youngest debutant in Blues post-war history.

The defender’s achievement remains intact.

Haji Mnoga was handed his debut aged 16, five months and 24 days in October 2018, but was 15 days older than Hancott.

Following Hancott’s debut, unfortunately injury, illness and youth-team commitments saw him slip out of the first-team frame.

However, he featured in the 2019 pre-season, scoring in the 11-0 friendly victory at Irish club UCD.

He then started in Leasing.com Trophy fixtures against Norwich under-21s and Oxford United.

The latter match represented Hancott’s final first-team outing.

Weeks later he damaged knee ligaments in training and, despite Pompey extending a deal which expired last summer to allow his recovery, he has now left the club.

Writing on Instagram last night, Hancott said: ‘Today is the end of my Pompey journey. Although the last year or so has not been as I would’ve planned, it’s been an incredible 12 years.

‘If someone had told me when I signed at eight-years-old that I’d leave the club at 20 with a couple of first team appearances, having met friends for life and memories that’ll stay with me forever then I’d have certainly taken it!

‘Thank you to everyone that’s made it so enjoyable and all the best. PUP.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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