‘Thank you': Portsmouth goal hero pens emotional message after Fratton Park injury woes
Thomas Waddingham marked his Pompey return with the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Millwall.
Thomas Waddingham has penned an emotional message on social media after he marked his Pompey return with the winning goal in Saturday’s 2-1 success over Millwall.
Since his previous strike against West Brom in January 2025, the striker has endured a torrid time, with various injury setbacks restricting his appearances.
Following his capture from Brisbane Roar in 2025, a hamstring problem limited Waddingham’s availability during the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Despite featuring in the opening five games last term, a quad tear sustained in training in September would force the striker to miss more than seven months of action before completing his return in April.
Although the 21-year-old enjoyed a strong pre-season this summer, a challenge by West Ham left-back Ollie Scales on the opening day of the campaign forced Waddingham to limp off just eight minutes after his introduction with an ankle problem.
After undergoing surgery in August, which subsequently kept him out for more than two months, the young talent returned to the fold as an unused substitute against Wolves last week.
And he rounded off his comeback from the bench against Millwall on Saturday, netting an 82nd-minute winner in front of the Fratton End and his first goal at PO4.
Pompey goal hero’s emotional message after injury return
After his strike, Waddingham opened up about the ‘tough period’ he faced as he battled his injury issues and thanked Mousinho and the Fratton faithful for supporting him during his absence.
An emotional post on Instagram read: ‘Means a lot this one. Been so long since I’ve scored for this club having gone through such a tough period of injuries including two surgeries.
‘Thank you to everyone who has supported me through this time and we keep pushing. Massive shift from the lads.’
His post was met with a brilliant response by Pompey team-mates new and old, with fellow Aussie Hayden Matthews, who is currently on loan with Bradford City, replying: ‘YES WADS.’
Meanwhile, Conor Chaplin, who was on loan at Fratton Park last term said: ‘Deserve it Wads, so happy for you’, while Regan Poole added: ‘Buzzing for you mate’.
Skipper Marlon Pack commented: ‘Love it Waddo’, along with Josh Murphy, who is hoping to see Waddingham become a regular on the scoresheet: ‘Deserved!! Keep them coming brother’.
What did John Mousinho say after Thomas Waddingham’s Millwall strike?
The head coach told The News: ‘I’m delighted for Wadds, he’s had a tough spell here so far as a Portsmouth player.
‘He came on for his debut against West Brom and scored, was looking good and then got injured when he started at Coventry.
‘Last year he just couldn’t get himself fit which was frustrating because, if he did I think he’ll score a lot of goals.
‘The most recent one was a bad tackle at West Ham where he did his ankle ligaments, so to show that resolve and come back from that is brilliant.
‘Whether he meant to score or not I don’t know! But he’s got himself in the right place at the right time and got his reward.
‘The fans would’ve seen him in pre-season games over the past couple of years and seen goals and goal threat from Wadds. It’s one thing he does really well, he’s an absolute poacher in the box.
‘There’s a reason we’ve stuck with him and there’s a reason why he’s got his chance today.’