Portsmouth Statto Pack

Witnessed by a mere 4,515 Town met the south coast team in a pulsating second game of the campaign. Under the leadership of Brian Laws and Terry Fenwick respectively, both teams ended up in the bottom half of the table. But for the Mariners, the season was full of controversy, with the introduction of Italian Ivano Bonetti. However, it was before Bonetti joined that the two teams met.

The game ended 2-1 to the Mariners, with Laws himself and Gary Croft, playing on the wing, striking for the Mariners. Following the goals there were two dismissals, with John Durnin (currently with Kidderminster) given his marching orders for a bad foul, followed by Town keeper Paul Crichton who tripped a Pompey player inside the box after a poor pass back from Brian Laws (pictured, left). With no keeper on the bench, Nicky Southall stepped in goal, but could do nothing about Alan McLoughlain's penalty.

At the end of the season, Town slipped down to 17th after previously being as high as second. Portsmouth however just escaped relegation, finishing in 21st.

One of the greatest forwards in the history of Grimsby Town Football Club, RON RAFFERTY started his career at Portsmouth, joining as a junior in 1954, before moving to the Mariners for £3,500 in December 1956. In his time at Blundell Park, he played 264 times, scoring 145 goals. He will be remembered by many Town fans for scoring 34 goals in 46 matches in the 1961/62 promotion side. In 1962 he then moved to local rivals Hull for £10,000. But his chances for the Tigers were limited because of injuries, and ended up as a centre half. After his career finished he became a representative of a confectionery firm. Also in this era, CLIFF PORTWOOD played for both Pompey and Town. Firstly, for Town (1961-63) where he scored 35 goals in 92 games before a £6,000 move south saw him switch to Fratton Park. In his 4 years at Pompey, Portwood played 95 times, scoring 28 goals. He then went to Colchester before playing for Durban United in South Africa.

Between 1958 and 1962, ALAN (George) BARNETT played for the Mariners, clocking up 124 appearances between the sticks. Previously he played 24 times for Pompey between 1955-57, but was consolidated to the number two spot behind Irish international Norman Uprichard. He then finished his career in 1968 with Torquay United.

Before the second world war, A.L DUNCAN played for the Mariners just twice on the left. He was described as quick and speedy, but unlucky with his passing. This is probably why he never lasted for more than a year in 1912, before he moved to Pompey making only a handful of appearances.

ANGUS MEIKLE was part of Portsmouth's 1924 championship winning side. The Scotsman played on the right wing and was ever present in that 1924 season. He then signed for Town for £290 playing just 13 times, scoring 2 goals.

The only player to play for both teams in the last 20 years is NEIL WEBB (pictured at the top of the page). The former England international, started his career at Reading, before moving to Pompey in 1982. In his time at Fratton Park he made 123 appearances scoring 34 goals. Then he moved to Nottingham Forest, where he was instrumental in the late 80's before a £1million pound move to Manchester United, when he turned out for England. After his time at Old Trafford, he moved back to the City Ground, gradually fading out of the first team picture. He then arrived at Blundell Park in 1996 with a 3 game stint for the Mariners under Brian Laws. But in all fairness he was not the player he was, and looked unfit. He then moved on to Aldershot for a while but his illustrious career was over.

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