Pompey fans unveil statue to club legend Dickinson

Pompey Supporters’ Trust unveiled a statue of club legend Jimmy Dickinson outside Fratton Park at the weekend following a fundraiser from fans.

Having been two years in the making, the statue was paid for almost entirely by Portsmouth supporters alongside donations from the Players Foundation and the League Managers’ Association.

Dickinson was a Portsmouth legend, playing on the south coast from 1946 to 1965, making 746 league appearances for the club – a record for a single club in England and Wales. The statue was unveiled by Dickinson’s son Andrew and former-Portsmouth keeper Alan Knight.

Pompey Supporters’ Trust treasurer Donald Vass said: “We’re so thankful to everyone who has played a part in this – quite simply, it wouldn’t have happened without the support and backing of the Pompey fans.

“Whether you donated to the online crowdfunding pages, gave money to one of our matchday bucket collections, bought one of the books, or simply believed in what we were doing – thank you. You made this happen.”

This fan-led initiative is part of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations, and honours a figure many consider to be the club’s finest ever player – Dickinson won the First Division title with Portsmouth in back to back years in in the 1948-49 and 1949-50 seasons.

The Jimmy Dickinson statue has been unveiled at Fratton Park.

Thank you to every #Pompey fan who has made this possible. https://t.co/6RvPhAqkcc pic.twitter.com/83mkSbBDrk

— Pompey Supporters’ Trust (@PompeyTrust) September 24, 2023

Dickinson also went on to manage the club, as well as having spells serving as the club’s public relations officer and secretary.

The statue will now remain on permanent display, located outside the north-west corner of the ground.