Despite being born in Scotland and going to University at Southampton I have still managed to remain a 'fanatic' in every sense of the word regarding Portsmouth Football Club. I was 5 when I first became aware of Pompey. My parents ran the Spinnaker Pub, Lower Swanick (yes in Southampton) in the 1980s. It was regularly used by the Southampton players of the time, Keegan, Channon, etc. To my savour we had a Pompey supporting chef. He used to ask me who I supported and unless I said Pompey he would threaten to put me in the frying pan. Looking back I am sure it was never hot, but given he was a die hard fan from the 80s I guess I can never be sure. I've not seen him in 30 years, but I owe his a debt of gratitude.
I have spent most of my life living in and around Gosport and it was here I really cemented myself as a Pompey fan. My early memories are of Alan Ball's team. I had a "Teddy Dillon" and used to listen to games on Radio Victory with my 1980's all in one radio headset, complete with a 4ft metal arial! I will never forget the adrenalin when they interrupted the chat or music to go to Fratton Park and the Bruce Hornsby and the Range music playing when they were waiting for the final score. Pompey always seemed to let so many in when that music was playing.
I started going to Fratton by myself in the 1990's in the Jim Smith era and still think Paul Walsh is one of my all time favourite players.
Over the years I have suffered like most fans where increasing prices meant that I couldn't attend as regularly as I like, until I finally found myself in a job in 2001 that paid me enough to buy a season ticket. I think I may have been the lucky charm as the next 10 years were like nothing I'd ever experienced. The highs of promotion, the elation of Wembley and the surrealism of going to a European game at Wolfsburg and walking away from the AC Milan game disappointed with a draw. Finally the complete gut wrench of watching my club be pulled apart was the catalyst to me joining The Trust.