Neil Webb and fellow Portsmouth favourites denied homecoming after coronavirus forced football's suspension

Neil Webb was denied a Fratton Park reunion as an all-star Pompey cast were among those affected by the suspension of last weekend’s football programme.
By Neil Allen
Published 17th Mar 2020, 05:30 BST
Neil Webb, pictured here in a 5-1 win over Oldham in February 1985, was meant to be returning to Fratton Park on SaturdayNeil Webb, pictured here in a 5-1 win over Oldham in February 1985, was meant to be returning to Fratton Park on Saturday
Neil Webb, pictured here in a 5-1 win over Oldham in February 1985, was meant to be returning to Fratton Park on Saturday

The Premier League and Football League is pencilled in to resume on April 3 following attempts to contain coronavirus.

That ensured Saturday’s League One visit of Accrington was postponed.

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In addition, developments prompted the scrapping of the annual Pompey Former Players Day, with 37 Fratton favourites having pledged their attendance.

Among them was Webb, who scored 38 goals in 139 matches for the Blues and was crowned The News/Sports Mail’s Player of the Season in 1984-85.

After departing for Nottingham Forest in May 1985, the midfielder went on to represent England and Manchester United during a successful career.

He was scheduled to make a rare return to his former home on Saturday, with the likes of Darren Anderton, Martin Kuhl, Noel Blake, Chris Burns, Alan Biley and Eoin Hand also expected.

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However, the popular event was forced to be shelved, along with Pompey’s clash with Accrington.

Secretary of Pompey Former Players’ Association, Jake Payne, said: ‘It was the first time Webby had been to one of these events and was bringing his wife.

‘The fact that a former Manchester United and England player still wants to be part of Pompey days like this is fantastic – and he wasn’t the only one.

‘We had Steve Davey from Devon, Noel Blake from Staffordshire, Chris Burns from Cheltenham, Eoin Hand from the Republic of Ireland, while Alan Biley had booked a hotel to stay over.

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‘You always get some dropping out or not turning up, but we had a really good attendance of 37 ex-players lined up.

‘Everyone was looking forward to it, but I can't beat myself up, it was taken out of our hands.

‘The club had been fantastic, allowing us to use the Warrior Lounge and giving us 74 tickets in the North Stand upper, I cannot knock them at all.

‘We’ll be back next year, though. It’s always a cracking event.’

Others expected to attend were Paul Wood, Stuart Doling, Dave Munks, Guy Butters, John Milkins, Dave Pullar and Terry Brisley.

Related topics:Fratton ParkPortsmouthPremier LeagueFootball LeagueAccringtonLeague OneManchester United

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