Happy memories for Portsmouth Schoolboys football team at Southern Grammar: RETRO

He tells me: ‘I think we beat Plymouth and I used to know the score but it now escapes me.

‘I think we subsequently lost to Reading or Swindon, possibly by 2-1 but I'm not entirely sure.

‘I am in touch with Peter Higgins as we were both at Southern Grammar, as was John Jenner. I sometimes attend school reunion dinners and meet other old boys, including some ex-members of what was an amazing Southern Grammar school team.

'I left in 1961 to rejoin my parents in Edinburgh, having remained in Portsmouth with my uncle and aunt to do my O-levels and to play a second year for Portsmouth Schoolboys.

‘Peter Higgins also played two years, and Bobby Moffat, Barry Figgins and Colin Crawford may also have done.

‘You probably also recognise the name of our gym teacher, Brian Naysmith, who played for Pompey in those days.

‘He didn’t run our football team on a regular basis but he often coached us and provided timely advice when we had a big match to play.

‘This was especially true that year, when we played Northern Grammar at Fratton Park in the final of the Fourth Year Cup which I think was under-16.

‘It was my last match for the school and we were pleased to win 5-0 on the day.

‘In 1969, I joined the RAF as a pilot and, although sport continued to play a part in my life, its importance became less as time passed.

‘My time with Portsmouth Schoolboys provided many happy memories and your article informed me of one thing I had not realised – the involvement of Portsmouth Football Club.’

It never ceases to amaze me how much mail I receive about events that happened during the Second World War.

No doubt there will be even more next year as it is the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe.

Tony Thompson tells me of former Portsmouth police officers who died, and a National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) memorial service in Portsmouth Guildhall on Friday, November 8.