Andy Cullen shares touching tribute as Portsmouth figure set to leave in days
Portsmouth are set to take on Sheffield Wednesday at Fratton Park on Saturday as John Mousinho looks to continue their early-season form.
Following their 0-0 draw with Southampton, Pompey remain in the top half of the Championship and could move into the playoffs with a result against the Owls.
Portsmouth are overwhelming favourites against Sheffield Wednesday, with the visitors’ off-field problems continuing to affect their results.
Going into the match, there is plenty to be excited about, with the potential for numerous Pompey debuts as well as the return of Conor Chaplin to Fratton Park.
However, Portsmouth will also be saying a goodbye, with Andy Cullen giving his thoughts in his pre-match notes.
Andy Cullen thanks departing chief operating officer Tony Brown
Portsmouth had seen plenty of players depart this summer who had a big impact at the South Coast club. Now, this trend has continued in the non-playing staff.
Tony Brown, who had been at Pompey since 2013, is now set to depart on 30 September.
The chief operating officer had joined Portsmouth in June 2013, and oversaw plenty of important changes after Pompey’s financial crisis.
Brown’s departure was announced by Portsmouth in July, much to the bafflement of fans.
Now, Cullen has thanked Brown for his contributions at the South Coast club in his 12-year spell.
He told Portsmouth’s official website: “Finally, today marks the last working matchday for our chief operating officer Tony Brown, who departs on September 30.
- Portsmouth have not been afraid to make tough decision this summer
- Brown’s departure was confirmed in July, which confused many Portsmouth fans
- The chief opperating officer will leave on 30 September
“He arrived at Fratton Park in June 2013, immediately after our fans had saved Pompey from extinction. Tony then played a key role in rebuilding both the trust and confidence of key internal and external stakeholders, while resetting the club’s financial strategy.
“His remit expanded from managing finances to negotiating player contracts, overseeing the acquisition of the training ground and making a vital contribution to stadium redevelopment works, helping to bring capacity back up to 21,000 in 2023.
“Tony is one of the most outstanding and highly regarded chief financial officers in the football industry. He has led the financial transformation of Portsmouth FC from the dark days of administration to the bright and positive place where we are today.
“He is a much-valued colleague, and it has been a real privilege to serve alongside him. Tony can be proud of the strong legacy he leaves behind, as well as his personal contribution to a beloved football club, and we all wish him good health and every success for the future.”
Tony Brown is a Portsmouth legend
Simply put, any person who was involved in the revival of Portsmouth in the early 2010s is a Pompey legend.
Without people like Brown, the South Coast club may have taken decades to even get back into League One, let alone the Championship.
Therefore, when he departs at the end of September, he should hold his head up high for the fantastic work he has done.
Now, the challenge for Portsmouth is to find people who can repeat this success for such a long period.
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