Colin Garwood: I had 17 goals for Portsmouth by February - then John Deacon forced me to join Aldershot

Colin Garwood regrets allowing John Deacon to drive him out of Fratton Park.
Colin Garwood scored 34 goals in 78 appearances for Pompey - before sold against his wishes to Aldershot in February 1980Colin Garwood scored 34 goals in 78 appearances for Pompey - before sold against his wishes to Aldershot in February 1980
Colin Garwood scored 34 goals in 78 appearances for Pompey - before sold against his wishes to Aldershot in February 1980

The striker was in prolific form during the 1979-80 season, establishing himself as the Blues’ 17-goal leading scorer in their bid to win promotion from Division Four.

However, in February 1980, he was controversially sold to Aldershot – to the shock of the Fratton faithful.

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‘The 1979-80 season would lead to promotion to Division Three – although I had been sold when that glorious moment occurred, he told Played Up Pompey Too.

‘After 17 goals in 29 matches during the campaign, I was packed off against my wishes to Aldershot, with the Blues lying third in the table. And it was down to John Deacon.

‘It was November 1979 and Pompey were in the process of buying Dave Gregory from Bury for £60,000 and needed some money, so I was sent to Exeter City for talks in an attempt to recoup cash.

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‘Not that I wanted to go, of course, so I travelled for negotiations and purposely asked for ridiculous money. I was back in the car after 10 minutes after doing my absolute best to price myself out of that move!

Colin Garwood (left) seen here with Ray Crawford, was inducted into Pompey's Hall of Fall in April 2017. Picture: Neil MarshallColin Garwood (left) seen here with Ray Crawford, was inducted into Pompey's Hall of Fall in April 2017. Picture: Neil Marshall
Colin Garwood (left) seen here with Ray Crawford, was inducted into Pompey's Hall of Fall in April 2017. Picture: Neil Marshall

‘The following Saturday, I scored at Fratton Park against Halifax Town, with Dave Gregory an unused substitute. Afterwards, while walking back to my car with my wife and two children, Deacon approached.

‘He said: “Colin, Aldershot are interested in you, would you go to talk to them? I want you to sign.”

‘My response was: “Mr Deacon, I don’t really want to go”. I will never forget what he said next.

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‘He told me: “Colin, I want you to go. I don’t think you will kick a ball for this club again if you don't sign for Aldershot.”

‘I had just scored in a 3-1 victory, everything was going really well at Pompey, I was loving life. Then Deacon did that to me, I couldn’t believe it. Yes, I was extremely angry.

‘Poor Frank, I don’t think he wanted to sell me, but he didn’t have a choice, it was dictated by Deacon. I was dropped from the squad for five games before travelling to Aldershot for discussions over a £54,000 switch – still a club record for them.

‘Mind you, I had again asked for ridiculous money – only for the Shots to agree! They doubled my wages and handed over a £10,000 signing-on fee, tax-free.

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‘Although both sides occupied Division Four, moving from Pompey to Aldershot was like moving from a Premier League club to a Sunday morning side. The Recreation Ground club was run absolutely terribly, with players turning up for training whenever they wanted, it was unbelievable.

‘It would have been interesting if I had talked to Aldershot and said ‘No’ and then come back to Pompey to see what would happen. In fact, I wish I’d done that now, I could have stayed for another four or five years.

‘That’s a really big regret for me. I rue letting Deacon do that to end my Pompey career.

‘Frank Burrows then made a lovely gesture by inviting me to Pompey’s end-of-season presentation night at the Holiday Inn, where I was handed my promotion medal.

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‘That night Frank told me “I hold my hands up, I should never have sold you”. I thought “Why the hell did you then?”. In fairness, I don’t think he had a lot of say in it. Still, his confession made me feel a lot better.

‘Frank and I came across each other again in July 2014 at the Boys of 1979 reunion at Portsmouth’s Marriott Hotel, held to commemorate that promotion-winning side. “Gabby, I wish I never sold you, that was the biggest mistake I ever made,” Frank reiterated.’

Colin Garwood made 78 Pompey appearances and scored 34 goals from March 1978 until February 1980.

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