SOS Pompey call for unity

Kal Naismith celebrates his goal in Pompey's 2-0 win against Accrington Picture: Joe Pepler

That is the message delivered by SOS Pompey ahead of tomorrow night’s visit of Blackpool.

The supporters’ group have taken the unusual move following ill-feeling at Fratton Park against Accrington.

Despite a 2-0 win for Paul Cook’s troops on Saturday, there were sections of the Fratton faithful unhappy over the performance.

As a consequence, negative comments were fired in the direction of a number of players, while cheers were sounded as Gary Roberts was substituted.

In addition, upon scoring, Kal Naismith gesticulated and shouted towards a supporter in the North Stand who earlier had shouted abuse.

Now SOS Pompey have issued a call for unity as the Blues seek to close the gap on the automatic promotion spots.

A statement said: ‘At the time when Portsmouth Football Club could have disappeared forever, we asked fans attending matches to fully support the players, they were victims of mismanagement at the top as much as anyone.

‘We asked you to show your dissatisfaction only at those who sought to kill our club, not those playing for it in testing times.

‘Today our club really is ours. Off the pitch things have never been better, our club is run in a business-like way by people who truly care.

‘We may not like all decisions made – and we will always ask every Pompey fan to question why they have been reached – but we strongly believe that, unlike those past decisions, these are made only with the club’s best interests at heart and any mistakes are honest mistakes.

‘We all want promotion this season. At times it can be frustrating and unfortunately those frustrations can spill over.

‘Portsmouth is famous for its unity, we could not have saved our club without being together, getting on the players’ backs will not help.

‘This Tuesday, St Valentine’s Day, we call on every Pompey fan to show their passion for the one they love.

‘Let’s make Pompey a wall of noise, a throwback to the days when teams did not savour a match at the Fortress.

‘Together we made a difference. Together we can again.’