Whittingham joins 1st team coaching set-up

Former Pompey goal machine Guy Whittingham - who scored an amazing 115 goals in 224 games for Pompey during two spells, well technically more than two, including his amazing 47 league and cup goals in one season - has joined the 1st team coaching set-up.

He has spent several years working as a PFA coach in the south-west as well as being an academy coach here, but the title of his new role is 'development coach' - his job is to help those coming through the u18 side to the 1st team, he will also manage the reserves.

Tony Adams has told the Pompey Site that he is delighted to add him to his 1st team set-up: 'Guy is a great addition to the coaching team. We have been working one man down since I took over and his experience and knowledge of Portsmouth Football Club will be invaluable.

'I spoke to Gordon Taylor at the PFA and he is very disappointed to be losing him. They tried hard to keep him.

'Guy will be involved in everything we do with the first-team squad and will be working specifically with the strikers on their movement, shooting and finishing.

'He's hard working, honest, loyal and Pompey through and through. He was a big player for the club in his time with an outstanding scoring record here.

'I first came across Guy when he was doing demos on behalf of the PFA when I was taking my UEFA B Licence. I was very impressed but didn't think for one minute we'd end up at Portsmouth together.'

As well as helping Ian Woan bring through the youngsters, helping them make the transition from junior to reserve/1st team Whittingham will keep in constant touch with our Belgian feeder side Zulte Waregem.

Corporal Punishment did not have much to say but is pleased with his new role: 'Tony Adams told me about the role and asked if I would be interested, and I was. I'm really excited about the job.'

Hopefully this is yet another sign that we genuinely do mean business as far as bringing youngsters through into the 1st team goes - anything we can do to help this transition must be a good thing. I really do believe that under Adams if these youngsters are good enough they will get the chance, and this is something that is paramount to our future, bringing through our own players will save millions in transfer fees and could also earn us millions in the process!

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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