Sports Mail nostalgia – Pompey have celebrated at Bolton before!
Recalling Blues’ first top flight title win – 75 years ago this month – the day before the club could be celebrating their latest divisional title
Pompey were crowned Football League champions for the first time after winning against Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park on April 23, 1949.
In front of a crowd of 28,816, Peter Harris gave Pompey a dream start with a goal after only four minutes.
Bolton goalkeeper Reg Elvy just managed to gather the ball before Harris was able to touch home a second.
The outside-right then supplied the cross for Ike Clarke to double the lead with a firm header in the 25th minute.
Pompey found the going much tougher in the second half and eight minutes from time John Roberts pulled a goal back to set up a frantic finish.
The triumphant Pompey party were to have a quiet homecoming in the early hours of the following morning.
They were due to travel by train to London where they were to be met by a motorcoach that was bringing them back to Portsmouth following a meal in the capital.
Manchester United, who had been Pompey’s most dangerous rivals for the title, drew 2-2 with Preston North End at Old Trafford.
United ended five points adrift of the Blues in runners-up spot, above Derby on goal average, the system used when clubs were level on points – replaced by goal difference in 1976.
Southampton were a point clear at the top of Division Two after Eric Day’s late header earned them a
1-1 draw to fellow promotion chasers West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
A final day loss at Chesterfield, though, saw Saints finish a point behind second-placed Albion, and only the top two were promoted.
In Division Three (South), Bournemouth fought back from a goal down to win 3-2 at Exeter City, Aldershot lost 2-1 at home to Newport County and Brighton went down 2-0 at home to leaders Swansea Town.
Rangers beat Clyde 4-1 in the Scottish Cup final. Bromley beat Romford
1-0 with a goal by Tommy Hopper to win the FA Amateur Cup.
The final, which attracted a crowd of 93,000, was the first Amateur Cup final to be played at Wembley and also the first amateur match to be shown live on TV.
Littlehampton won the Sussex Senior Cup, winning 3-2 against Southwick at Horsham.
Two of the Southampton Boys, who played against Portsmouth Boys in the Pickford Shield replay at Fratton Park, were taken to hospital after the match.
Hill of Woolston injured an ankle and Oakley of Hedge End suffered an injured wrist.
Fareham Town won7-0 at RAOC Hilsea with goals from Lamport (3), Wheeler (3) and Passell.