Jimmy Dickinson Statue at Fratton Park

Unveiling Date

We are delighted to announce that the statue honouring Pompey legend Jimmy Dickinson is complete, and will be unveiled at Fratton Park ahead of next week’s home game against Lincoln City on Saturday 23rd September. Further details are on the club's website. 

Progress so far

In July, we began crowdfunding to honour one of Portsmouth FC's greatest ever players Jimmy Dickinson with a statue at Fratton Park. 

Your support last summer enabled work to begin, and award-winning sculptor Douglas Jennings has now completed the claywork of the statue. We're delighted to be able to share a preview of the statue with you here.  

Now, we're seeking your donations to have the incredible sculpture cast in bronze to get the project over the finish line and ready to be installed at Fratton Park. With your support, the statue will be unveiled later this year to coincide with the club’s 125th anniversary season.

"The support of Pompey fans - against the backdrop of the ongoing cost of living crisis - has been fantastic. We're so appreciative of the donations we've already received, which have enabled us to get the claywork complete. Having been to the artist's studio to see it, we're absolutely delighted  with how it's turned out - it looks absolutely stunning, and is going to be a truly world-class sporting statue. We're now looking for the final funding which will allow us to complete the project by getting it cast in bronze, ready to be installed at Fratton Park."

– Donald Vass, Pompey Supporters’ Trust Treasurer. 

Fundraising

Our previous Crowdfunding page raised a significant sum of money last summer which kick-started the project - thank you so much to everyone who donated. Since then, we've carried on raising money from other sources - we've had a successful matchday bucket collection at Fratton Park, benefitted from the sales of two different Pompey books, received a percentage of the proceeds of original artwork by Mark Kellett, and more. We are now looking for supporters to help us complete the project. 

There will also be two further matchday bucket collections where fans can donate in cash (or via a card reader) in person at Fratton Park. Look out for our volunteers around the ground before the game at the following fixtures: 

Tuesday 28th February - Bolton Wanderers (H)

Saturday 1st April - Forest Green Rovers (H)

Rewards

We're pleased to be able to offer a number of rewards for our backers. You can choose one of the 'rewards' listed on the page here, or donate in any quantity you choose. We value every single contribution made.

Among the rewards available are original hand-made lino art prints of Fratton Park, copies of the "Pompey Chimes, Pompey Times" book signed by Pompey's first team squad, and a postcard signed by the 1948-49 First Division title-winning squad - including Jimmy Dickinson himself. 

If you purchased tickets to the pre-unveiling drinks reception on our previous fundraising page, or donated enough to have your name listed in the matchday programme, you won't need to purchase these again - though we'd hugely appreciate your support once more.  

Who was Jimmy Dickinson?

Jimmy Dickinson is the club’s record appearance maker, playing 845 times in all competitions as a left-half for the Blues between 1946 and 1965. 

He was instrumental to the side during the greatest era in the club’s history, which saw Pompey crowned champions of England in back to back years in the 1948/49 and 1949/50 seasons. 

Jimmy also earned 48 caps for the England national team, and represented his country at the 1950 and 1954 World Cups. 

He was awarded an MBE by the Queen for services to football in 1964.  

After his playing career, Jimmy became Pompey manager, leading the side between 1977 and 1979. He also had spells as the club’s Public Relations Officer and Secretary. 

Jimmy Dickinson passed away in 1982 aged 57. He is buried in Alton Cemetery. 

"Jimmy is such an important part of our great club's history: a one-club man who was at the heart of Pompey's most successful era. We're proud to be involved in this project alongside the Pompey Supporters’ Trust and our chosen artist, who is going to produce an excellent lasting memory at Fratton Park.” 

– Mike Whittle, Pompey History Society

Who is the sculptor?

Award winning sculptor Douglas Jennings has created the sculpture, which will be cast in bronze in life-and-a-quarter size.

Jennings has previously been commissioned by Fulham FC to create the statues of Johnny Haynes and George Cohen MBE, which are located outside Craven Cottage.

“We met with a number of prominent, high-quality sculptors before selecting Douglas – we know he’s going to produce a superb statue that our fans will be proud of. We’ve also worked closely with the club to ensure this fits in with the current Fratton Park redevelopment works and is given the prominence it deserves” 

– Jo Collins, Pompey Supporters’ Trust

Where will it be situated?

The statue is due to be situated outside of Fratton Park in the stadium’s North West corner, though it would be able to be moved and maintained in the event of any future stadium redevelopment.

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“We’re all really proud to be a part of this. It’s a fantastic fan-led project to help commemorate a true Pompey legend on the club’s 125th birthday. The image of Jimmy is already immortalised as a picture in the Fratton End seats, but we were really keen to enhance his presence at the ground and create a permanent landmark at the stadium that will live on for future generations of fans. Pompey supporters have got previous form for coming together and making things happen when they’ve got a project they believe in – we know the fanbase is going to swing behind this and bring it to life” 

– Donald Vass, Pompey Supporters’ Trust Treasurer.