The mascot 'flung around like a rag doll' at Wembley against Spurs who's now one of Portsmouth's youngest ever players

That meant, at 16 years and 230 days, Harry Jewitt-White, became the third youngest player in the Blues’ post-war history on Tuesday night in the EFL Trophy against West Ham under-21s.

The academy prospect from Hayling Island usurps Gary O’Neil from that position, in the list of youngest post-war players to wear the star and crescent on their chest at senior level.

Jewitt-White’s 66th-minute introduction represented a dream coming true for the lifelong Pompey fan and former mascot, as he produced an eye-catching display which underlined why the midfielder is highly regarded.

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The former Oaklands School pupil has already picked up international honours with Wales, and has ambitions of competing in the under-17 European Championships next summer

in Estonia.

But it’s making it at the club where the likes of Jason Pearce and Jamal Lowe were his heroes which is Jewitt-White’s true target.

Father, Justin White, was at the south coast derby in 2004, and then ensured the teenage talent was bitten by the Pompey bug as he went to Wembley in 2010 to see the FA Cup

semi-final win over Harry Redknapp’s Spurs.

That was the start of a story which was given a memorable chapter at Fratton Park on Tuesday night.

White said: ‘Harry has loved every minute of the last week.

‘He didn’t know he was playing on Monday morning and by 9pm on Tuesday it’s the stuff of dreams for him.

‘It’s been quite brilliant and great news to know he’s the third youngest player.

‘Harry went to the semi-final at Wembley in 2010 and he was flung around like a rag doll when Pompey scored! He thought it was amazing.

‘We felt nothing could beat being selected for Wales, but Tuesday beats the lot.

‘He’s been at the club for nine years and there’s been so much work which Harry has put in. And to do it with his mates was unbelievable.

‘He was calmer than I thought he would be and he said it all went very quickly. He was up for a penalty if it went that way, too!

‘There may not have been fans there, but that hasn’t bothered Harry. He’s just looking at playing in front of fans as a second debut!

‘There’s a lot of work to go for that to happen, but we’re all very proud of him.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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