Ex-Portsmouth midfielder ends nine-month nightmare after finally returning to football
The Hayling Island youngster made nine appearances for the club he supports
A former Pompey player’s agony is finally over after returning to football following a nine-month nightmare.
Harry Jewitt-White was named on Crusaders’ bench for their Boxing Day clash at Cliftonville in the NIFL Premiership.
Although the Hayling Island lad didn’t appear in a much-needed 2-1 victory for the strugglers, it still marked a welcome return to their squad for the first time since April.
Last term, the 21-year-old had been enjoying an excellent maiden season in Northern Ireland following a heart-breaking release from Pompey in the summer of 2024.
Injury curtailed first Crusaders season
However, a shoulder injury curtailed his 2024-25 campaign early, after 28 appearances and three goals.
Initially missing the final five matches as they finished sixth, Jewitt-White subsequently hasn’t played competitively since a substitute outing in a 3-1 defeat at Linfield on April 1.
Overall, the midfielder had been absent for the Northern Ireland club for 25 successive matches - until being named in Crusaders’ 18-man squad on Boxing Day.
With a fixture next up against Carrick Rangers on December 30, the youngster will now be hoping to step up his involvement for a team currently positioned 10th.
Fratton Park exit
Until his injury, Jewitt-White had bounced back impressively from his Fratton Park release, having come through the Academy to reach the first-team.
The Pompey supporter made nine appearances, including one League One start, yet didn’t play a part in their 2023-24 title-winning team, solely featuring in two EFL Trophy outings that season.
Instead he spent the campaign on loan with the Hawks, although it wasn’t until a change of manager with Cliff de Gordon put in interim charge in December 2024 that he managed to get regular first-team with the non-leaguers.
During an eye-catching second half of the season, he made 23 appearances and scored twice to impress the Westleigh Park faithful, despite their relegation from National League South.
Jewitt-White was subsequently released by Pompey in May 2024, along with Sean Raggett, Joe Rafferty, Josh Martin, Lee Evans, Liam Vincent, Haji Mnoga and Ryan Schofield.
However, in August 2024, the free agent signed a two-year deal with the Belfast-based Crusaders, representing a venture into the unknown at the age of 20.
‘Harry comes very highly recommended’
‘Harry comes very highly recommended and fits in with the profile of player we are looking to bring here at Seaview.
‘His work rate, technical ability and game intelligence will be a massive asset to us in the coming years. I’m sure he will become a fans favourite here at Seaview and I look forward to helping him develop and reach the heights we all know he is capable of.’
Jewitt-White would go on to make 28 appearances, of which 20 were starts, with three goals and one assist, until injury intervened.
And he’s hoping to have now finally put that behind him to resume his promising Crusaders career.