Portsmouth(A).27/09/61.

Oo-er, this is rather tasty and it hadn't even dawned on me that we'd played at Fratton Park in the early 1960s. The description of Pompey's ground as "fine" tallies with the tales of several travellers when I was a lad; namely a couple of grammar school boys - possibly with naval connections - who had been there and described it as "massive". I was jealous they'd been and it was to be another decade or so before I got the opportunity myself.

There's also mention of "this grand club". Well, yes, there is something grand about Pompey but also, in recent times at least, something rather tawdry. But I imagine Portsmouth is a club that inspires considerable local affection and I'm convinced that, had I'd grown up there, I'd have long sported a sun and moon tattoo.

How about that address - Offside Cottage?

Sparshatt's Commercial Vehicles: Dodge; Leyland; Dennis; Austin. Ah, memories of British Road Services and Dinky toys.

Monty as club president, eh?

And the Football Mail every Saturday. I believe the Portsmouth News was one of the final Saturday night football papers. Not sure if it's still going. If so, it could be the only one now that the Sheffield Green 'Un has ceased.