View: Portsmouth at centre of social media trend that has taken the UK by storm
Portsmouth have been able to bask in their past glories in recent days with the escalation of the “Barclaysmen” social media trend.
The focus on reminiscing on former cult heroes of the Premier League has risen over the past week, with international football giving the top two English divisions a backseat until this weekend.
Pompey last competed in the top flight between 2003 and 2010, during which time the league was sponsored by Barclays, hence the name.
The club themselves have got involved, posting on X [11 September] to encourage supporters to vote in the final of a poll created by Cultras Football Podcast to crown the champion “Barclaysman” – which brings together two former Pompey greats, Niko Kranjcar (2006-2009) and Yakubu (2003-2005).
Yakubu won the titanic clash with two-thirds of the vote, in a competition which also saw former Blues hero Kanu reach the semi-finals, alongside iconic ex-Bolton star Jay-Jay Okocha.
Portsmouth celebrate ‘Barclaysmen’ heroes
For nostalgia merchants like myself, the “Barclaysmen” trend has been superb to watch, with players brought up who have been filed at the back of your brain somewhere since the mid-’00s.
The music accompanying the highlight reels posted by club accounts and fans alike has also been a fond throwback, often to the days of playing the EA Sports FIFA franchise with your mates after school.
Yakubu was the main man at the start of my time growing into football as a youngster – I distinctly remember his winner against Southampton at Fratton Park, in the same season as my first-ever game as Patrik Berger scored twice to beat Tottenham.
Kranjcar will always be a hero on these parts of the South Coast – I got to enjoy the surreal experience for an 11-year-old of being his mascot, in a goalless draw against Arsenal on Boxing Day 2007 – he and Kanu alike played a significant part in delivering the city its second-ever FA Cup just five months later.
We would be here all day to name the celebrated Blues “Barclaysmen” – and it’s an immense feeling that the memories they gave us can still be rekindled in a day and age of robotic, number-driven, computer-operated football.
Pompey are investing in the right areas for the club’s future, and hopefully can be back in the big-time some day soon.
In other Portsmouth news, the club’s summer signings are given early ratings.
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