A club from an island off of south coast visit Fratton Park tomorrow evening (kick off 19:45) in a friendly to raise money for the Pompey Trust to purchase a community share in the club.
The location might sound familiar but in this case the Country is Iceland and the island Vestmannaeyjar. The Club are known as IBV (Íþróttabandalag Vestmannaeyja) – don`t ask me to pronounce that please!!
The reason for the visit is the fact that they are managed by ex Pompey legend Hermann Hreidarsson (second on the all-time list of Icelandic internationals) who suggested the game when he heard of the Trust`s efforts. The game is part of the team`s pre-season preparation. Hermann will bring with him his new coach, a certain David James.
Vestmannaeyjar or the Westman Islands are situated off the south coast of Iceland and have a population of just over 4,000 – all of whom live on the main island of Heimaey – roughly half the size of Portsea Island.
Their football club have however won several honours in the Icelandic League and won the league and cup double back in 1998. Their squad is almost entirely made up of home players and a few unknown to me Englishmen. IBV have qualified for the early rounds of the Europa League in the past two seasons and coincidentally in both were defeated by Irish side St Patricks Athletic.
The Guests
As yet we do not know the makeup of the Pompey side but Guy has promised to send out the strongest possible. However it is the old players returning for the night who will make the occasion. Names mentioned and some promised are – Linvoy, Darren Anderton, Mark Kelly, Darren Moore, Vince Hilaire, Svetoslav Todorov and others.
It is expected too that Guy, Andy and others on the staff will put their boots on for a spell and David James will play the final twenty minutes in a Pompey shirt.
Should be a fun evening with of course a fantastic cause to benefit. Get there if you can!!
PUP
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