ONE THIRD OF A THOUSAND MILES (and return)

I saw my first professional football match at Fratton Park in 1958. Jimmy Dickinson was the super star and captain and I hoped to see Stanley Matthews when Blackpool came to visit, but he never played south of London! Shame on him. He was very much my hero.

So tonight Pompey host Sunderland in the League One play-off, the Black Cats are 1-0 up and tonight's game will probably bring as much tension as all our recent play-off games. Fratton Park will be rocking and I know Sunderland will use their attendance quota. It is 333 miles between the two towns.

Portsmouth joined the Football League in 1920 and Sunderland AFC was formed in 1879 as the Sunderland and District Teachers! and has played Football League since 1890.

Sunderland and Portsmouth first met on 27th August 1927 in Division One at Roker Park, playing out a 3-3 draw. The return game was just as exciting ending 3-5 to Sunderland at Fratton Park.

Pompey had been promoted in 1927 with Middlesbrough and they survived relegation coming 20/22 that season. Middlesbrough were relegated along with Tottenham!

Pompey came 20/22 the following season and Middlesbrough won Division 2 with Spurs hanging around 10th. Portsmouth survived Division One pressure eventually winning the title in 1948-9, again in 1949-50. In 1958-9 they were bottom again and relegated to Division 3 in 1960-1. Pompey won the Division Three title in 1961-2.
Overall Portsmouth have won 34 ties, Sunderland 38 and 34 have been drawn. Amongst these have only been 5 FA Cup, League Cup or FA Trophy games. Everything else has been League games.

The last time Sunderland beat Portsmouth was in 2008. The two have nine times since then and Pompey have managed a draw or a win.