The Pompey Supporters’ Trust were delighted to yesterday unveil the Jimmy Dickinson statue outside Fratton Park.
In a short ceremony watched on by supporters, Jimmy’s son Andrew and Alan Knight jointly pulled off the cloth to reveal the statue for the first time.
The statue is a culmination a project lasting nearly two years, and has been paid for almost entirely by Portsmouth Supporters. The statue has also benefitted from generous donations from The Players Foundation and the League Managers’ Association.
Donald Vass, Treasure of the PST, 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.
Jimmy played more than 800 times in all competitions for Pompey, and won the First Division title in back to back years in in the 1948/49 and 1949/50 seasons.
He 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 for supporters to enjoy. It is located outside the North-West corner of the ground.