John Jenkins Stadium development underway after unanimous vote grants £250,000
A D-Day war veteran and Portsmouth club legend is the inspiration behind a multi-million pound stadium development that is now underway.
The work will see Moneyfields Park redeveloped into ‘The John Jenkins Stadium’ in order to pay tribute to a life-long blues fan and provide a much needed permanent home for Pompey In The Community’s programmes, Moneyfields FC and Portsmouth FC Women.
Clare Martin, CEO of Pompey In The Community shared how John’s life had touched so many associated with Portsmouth FC: “He volunteered with the club from when he was about 14 and he was still a boardroom steward until 96. I still drink my tea every morning out of his mug that he gave me,” she said. Sadly passing away in 2019, the stadium should be a fitting tribute to a hero of Portsmouth, with plans for a heritage wall in his honour.
A unanimous Pompey Supporters Trust vote in January saw £250,000 worth of PST shares allocated towards the build, along with a staggering £5.2m in other donations from sources including charities, city council loans, and the Eisner foundation.
Details of the build including two brand new full size 3G astro pitches and a community hub can be found here.
Clare highlighted the “disability work” that will continue at the new site, aiding those with special needs and amputees. Clare confirmed that walking football would also be relocating, adding: “it’s not only playing football, it’s the coffee mornings, it’s the chat, it’s the camaraderie.”
Three quarters of the foundation has been laid which will be finished by Thursday, March 10. The first brick of the buildings will be laid on Tuesday, March 15 with pitch contractors due to start in April and May.
