Pompey’s youngest debutant leaves club

POMPEY record holder Joe Hancott has left Fratton Park.

The left-back created club history in August 2017 when he became the Blues’ youngest post-war debutant.

Aged 16 years and 161 days at the time, he went on to feature on three occasions for Kenny Jackett’s first-team.

However, his Pompey career has been wrecked following an ACL injury to his right knee in October 2019.

A succession of setbacks subsequently kept Hancott, below, on the sidelines, culminating in this week’s departure.

It’s a sad exit for the likeable 20-year-old, who is never without a smile.

Hailing from Ryde, Isle of Wight, he had been on Pompey’s books since the age of eight.

Then, on the occasion of Fulham under-21s’ visit in the Checkatrade Trophy in August 2017, he was named in Jackett’s starting XI.

In doing so, Hancott broke Gary O’Neil’s record set in January 2000 for youngest debutant in Blues post-war history.

Haji Mnoga was handed his debut aged 16, five months and 24 days in October 2018, but was 15 days older than Hancott.

Hancott featured in the 2019 pre-season, scoring in the

11-0 friendly victory at Irish club UCD. He then started in Leasing.com Trophy fixtures against Norwich under-21s and Oxford United.

Writing on Instagram, Hancott said: ‘Today is the end of my Pompey journey. Although the last year or so has not been as I would’ve planned, it’s been an incredible 12 years.

‘Thank you to everyone that’s made it so enjoyable and all the best. PUP.’