HIS great-grandfather was a founding member of Portsmouth Football Club.
Now lifelong Blues fan John Wigginton has expressed his desire to save the team so close to his heart by pledging his support to the Pompey Supporters’ Trust share scheme.
He was happy to donate £100 to the initiative in the hope of securing a full share for £1,000 should the trust launch a takeover bid.
Mr Wigginton, who now lives on the Greek island of Crete, is the great grandson of William Wigginton – one of the group of businessmen that founded the club in 1898 – so he jumped at the chance to preserve his family tradition.
He said: ‘Even if I did not have this connection I would still support any scheme to save the club I love and which means so much to me.
‘The future is not going to be easy whatever happens but at least there will be a future.
‘I was there standing in the rain on near empty terraces when we slumped down into the old Fourth Division but the true Pompey supporters never gave up hope and I believe that passion will help the club rise once again.’
His first match at Fratton Park was as a six-year-old watching a 2-2 draw with Wolves on April 3, 1953.
Mr Wigginton recalls sitting on a his father’s shoulders in the Fratton End and seeing Peter Harris and Jack Froggatt netting for the Blues.
‘I fell in love with the game and club that day and despite living away from Portsmouth most of my life that love has never diminished’, he said.
‘After leaving Portsmouth as a young man I have worked and lived all over the country and world missing far too many games in the process.
‘I returned to live in Portsmouth 11 years ago and for five years up to my move to Crete I had a season ticket in the North Stand and belonged to the supporters’ club enjoying many trips to away games.
‘I’ve posted by deposit and implore all Pompey fans to do likewise – there is nothing to lose and all to gain.
‘I especially encourage other ex-pats living around the world to get behind the scheme.
‘We cannot get to many games and thereby boost gate income, so let’s help the finances at the same time by joining the scheme.’
To find out how you can sign up to the trust’s share scheme, visit communitypompey.co.uk
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