What David James needed to know from Sol Campbell before he agreed Portsmouth move

The former England stopper revealed he contacted the defender prior to agreeing on a Blues move in the summer of 2006.

And the sole reason behind the urgent need to get in touch – to see whether Campbell, who had just completed his own switch to PO4, would be taking things 'seriously' at Fratton Park.

James, 50, went onto rack up 158 appearances for Pompey across a four-year stay and was part of the team that won the FA Cup under Harry Redknapp in 2008.

But things could have been different had it not been for that reassuring conversation with Campbell.

James wasn't prepared to link up with the Blues if the former Arsenal centre-back, who was 31 at the time, was to use his south coast stay as a 'retirement holiday'.

Yet Campbell assured the former Liverpool, Manchester City and West Ham keeper of his commitment to the cause - setting the pair up to go on and enjoy FA Cup glory just two years later and Pompey’s best-ever Premier League finish.

James said: ‘The funny thing about it was once I knew Portsmouth were interested - it was just after Sol Campbell had signed for the club - I phoned him up to ask him what Portsmouth was like and if he was going to take it seriously.

‘My genuine fear was that Sol had signed and he was just on a retirement holiday.

‘But he went, “Jamo, yeah, I will be taking it seriously”.

‘As soon as we had that conversation I was signing.

‘I just didn’t want to be playing behind someone who didn’t care.

‘But Sol, as everyone knows, was committed and in a very short period of time we managed to amass a very capable side.’

James looks back on his stay at Pompey as a ‘wonderful time’ during an illustrious playing career.

It provided him with memories he’ll never forget and friends he remains in contact with to this day.

He added: ‘One of the nice things as well is that the Hermannator (Herman Hreidarsson) – we’re still very good friends. When I can I go over to Iceland and visit him.

‘To take away so many memories and still have some very good friends - Kev the Kitman is one - it was a wonderful time.’