POMPEY'S best-known fan, Petersfield's bell- ringing, bugle-blaring, top-hat-wearing, blue- wigged John "Portsmouth Football Club" Westwood has published his own book on his beloved football club. The book was launched in Portsmouth at the weekend and this Saturday, Pompey John will be signing copies from 10 am to 1 pm at the family Petersfield Bookshop business in Chapel Street. The True Pompey Fan's Miscellany is a book written by a true expert – thanks to Deed Poll, his middle name is literally PFC – in a tribute to the club to which he has dedicated his life. John Westwood has written his book the way he performs in the Fratton End: with pride, passion, and a wild sense of humour. He has travelled to 91 of the 92 grounds in the old divisions of the country. Former PFC chairman Milan Mandaric called him "the 12th man". His dedicated loyalty is second to none, and Pompey Miscellany shares the loving knowledge gained over all the years since on December 27 1976, he was first born-again as a Pompey fan. By day, John is the "Clark Kent" style antiquarian bookseller in Petersfield. "It's a bit Jekyll and Hyde," he said. "When I go to a local book fair, I cover up my tattoos and put on a suit. But more often than not, I end up talking to the book dealers about Pompey and it turns out they've got more tattoos than I have." On Saturdays he transforms into the woad-tattooed Pompey. John Westwood is Pompey's most high-profile fan and appears regularly on television, radio and in newspapers. He is mentioned on virtually every website dedicated to or just reporting on Portsmouth FC. His Pompey Miscellany provides a fascinating history of the famous Portsmouth Football Club, of its city, its fans and the many legends who have worn the blue shirt with pride. Facts, figures, quotes, trivia, humorous anecdotes – it's an enthralling collection, taking readers through the joys and crises of the true Pompey fan, from pre- war FA Cup winners and post-war champions, to the fourth division, and the history of a club on the brink of receivership. The foreword has been written byAndy Awford, the popular long-serving Pompey defender who, when making his debut aged 16 at Fratton Park, became Portsmouth's youngest ever player. Later this season Awford is honoured with his Testimonial game, to be played at Fratton Park Sunday March 25th. Pictured right is The True Pompey Fan's Miscellany, a hardback published by Pennant Books. The book is priced at £9.99.
