The chance to have your photograph taken with the FA Cup on the open-topped bus which paraded the team and the trophy around Portsmouth in 2008 is the highlight of the club’s latest History Day, which will focus on the FA Cup wins of 1939 and 2008. 

The bi-annual event gives fans the opportunity to find out more about the rich history of the club and they can also book their place on a tour of Fratton Park in a package especially designed for families.

The event takes place on Sunday,  April 24 (11am-3pm) in the Victory Lounge under the Fratton End. Tours start from 10.30am from the VIP entrance in Frogmore Road. A bar and light refreshments will be available.

The club has pulled together a number of exhibits from the two successful FA Cup runs, including 1939 manager Jack Tinn’s ‘lucky’ spats and several match-worn shirts of players from the 2008 final.

A special commemorative banner commissioned by the club in 2008 and a flag worn by Hermann Hreidarrson on the lap of honour at Wembley, which were bought by fans in a special crowd funding campaign last year organised by @Pompeynewsnow, will also be on show.

The Pompey Former Players’ Association will have a display and it is anticipated several former players will be in attendance to chat and sign autographs.

There will also be an exhibition by the Pompey Pals project, which is a charity devoted to telling the story of the men from Portsmouth who signed up for duty at the outbreak of World War One.

Entry to the fair and the displays will be free, but there will be the opportunity to make a donation on the door, which will be shared between the Pompey Former Players’ Association and the Pompey Academy.

The club is also organising tours of the stadium, including the dressing rooms, tunnel area and boardroom of the iconic venue. Priced at just £10 for adults, with accompanied juniors free (instead of the usual £5) the club hopes they will prove popular. The tours can be booked online here. 

With the picture of the Cup, fans can opt to have a professional photograph taken from £7 or they will be able to take selfies in exchange for a suggested donation of £2. Any proceeds raised will be shared between the Pompey Former Players Association and the Pompey Academy.

Colin Farmery, who oversees History and Archiving projects at the club, said: “I’m really excited about this event. Getting the open topped bus is a real coup and we have also sourced the original ‘winners’ banner which went on the front of the vehicle, so any pictures will look fantastic. This could well be a once in a lifetime chance.

“For the tour we have also borrowed the historic Boardroom table and chairs, which will be in situ in the current Boardroom, alongside the painting of HMS Victory, which former Chairman Milan Mandaric has loaned to the club. Again it will be a rare opportunity to see this artefact in its original location.

“We also want to promote tours of the stadium and by allowing accompanied children to go free it is a great opportunity to introduce younger fans to the history of the club, as well as seeing things like the changing rooms and experiencing the thrill of coming up the Fratton Park tunnel.”

The 30-minute tours will run on a rolling programme from 10.30am throughout the event, but places are limited so early booking is advised.

Tours start VIP entrance in Frogmore Road and finish in the Victory Lounge.

Please be advised that there are lots of stairs on the tour, so it is not suitable for people with limited mobility. If you would like more information about our virtual tour of Fratton Park, please contact colinfarmery@pompeyfc.co.uk or call 023 92 731204.

Photos: Getty Images/PNN