Cowley: I want to embrace the Fratton faithful

Cowley confident fans can lead Pompey to glory

DANNY COWLEY has spoken of his longing to embrace the Pompey family in person – and lead a footballing city to glory.

It’s approaching a fortnight since the Blues’ head coach and his assistant Nicky set about their Fratton Park challenge with relish.

The duo have since steered a previously stuttering side back into play-off positions following successive victories over Ipswich and Shrewsbury.

They have also declared an interest in the Academy set-up, last week choosing to watch several age-group sessions and meet youngsters and coaches.

However, the wait to be introduced to the Fratton faithful goes on, with Fratton Park continuing to remain out of bounds to supporters during lockdown.

Yet it’s an introduction Cowley is relishing as he seeks to integrate with the city.

He said: ‘It’s good to be part of a team with good people, both staff and players. It’s a brilliant club, a brilliant, brilliant football club.

‘We had a really good week (last week), got to meet lots of different people, watched the kids train. We saw everyone from the under-8s to the under-15s, which has been brilliant.

‘Quite a few of the under18s came and trained with us on the Wednesday. It was great to

meet some of the Academy coaches, it’s always lovely to see the kids play.

‘Hopefully once we get through these covid restrictions then we’ll be able to meet the people of Portsmouth – we know that ultimately every football club is always about its people.

‘We are really, really proud – and feel really privileged, actually – to be at Pompey. You can feel the heritage and tradition.

‘I remember standing at Fratton Park last week, by the dug-out, and you just think of all the great players throughout the history of football who have played here.

‘The old grounds are the best, they have real character, and we are starting to get into the community, meeting all the kids.

‘We are trying to get out and meet all the people because we know that if we want to make Pompey successful, it’s certainly not an 11-man job.

‘We need the whole city behind us.’

The Cowleys are back in football following their Huddersfield exit in July 2020 – just two days after beating West Brom to remain in the Championship.

It has been a long wait to find the right club, yet they have made an immediate impact, both on and off the pitch.

And Danny Cowley is revelling in having his Saturday’s back.

He added: ‘It’s just that match day. It’s a lovely feeling to wake up on a Saturday, it’s always the best day of my week.

‘We’ve missed it, it is never nice when you are starved of something you love.

‘I managed for 13-and-threequarter seasons non-stop. The first game I missed was the final game of last season at Huddersfield, when I had been sacked.’