Marlon Pack speaks of 'relief' after what Portsmouth did

Marlon Pack admits he has an added level of appreciation and relief to Portsmouth for offering him a two-year contract extension despite his age.

Speaking at the annual official fans' forum [5 August], which was broadcast on BBC Radio Solent, the 33-year-old has extended his gratitude to his boyhood club for offering a longer-term deal.

Pack played an integral part last season in captaining Pompey to promotion, and carries a vital breadth of Championship experience that will come in useful starting from Saturday's league opener at Leeds United.

"It was a relief for myself and my family, of course," Pack said.

"It's probably common knowledge now that the longer contracts don't often come around when you're over 30, so I really appreciate the club and the gaffer.

"Last year speaks for itself with the team's achievement and now it's about spearing the club forward and in the right direction in the Championship."

Portsmouth place faith in experience

Portsmouth are in the process of striking that balance between the requirement for higher-level experience in the squad regardless of age, and keeping a core group of young players to gain some consistency in the coming years.

Pack is not the only player north of 30 to sign a multi-year contract this summer at Fratton Park, with fellow local lad Matt Ritchie signing a two-year deal that will take him to the age of 36.

Albeit a goalkeeper, Jordan Archer, 31, has also signed for two years whilst 29-year-old Josh Murphy has signed a three-year contract in PO4.

Other clubs have in the past had accusations levelled their way of keeping squads young to give the management - often a younger coach - a higher sense of seniority in the dressing room, but this is something shown not to faze John Mousinho.

The 38-year-old is so far overseeing the gradual development of a good blend at his disposal age and experience-wise, as the kick-off to a testing and unpredictable campaign beckons this weekend.

In other Portsmouth news, Andy Cullen discusses whether he sees Pompey games being played in the USA in the future.

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