Thousands gather for FA cup snap

A fan has his picture taken with the FA Cup at the Spinnaker Tower

The FA cup was on display at the Spinnaker Tower for five hours

More of the FA Cup in Portsmouth

Thousands of Portsmouth Football Club supporters have gathered to have their picture taken with the FA Cup ahead of their team's appearance at Wembley.

Portsmouth take on Cardiff City on Saturday in what is their first appearance in the cup final since 1939.

The picture opportunity, organised by BBC South Today, saw queues at the Spinnaker Tower of 45 minutes long.

From two-week-old babies to octogenarians, fans came from as far as New Zealand to have their photo taken.

Gary Clements who emigrated from the city to New Zealand nearly 20 years ago was one fan who brought a camera down.

"You just think of this sparkling, highly polished trophy - just the history behind it is enough to draw you to it," he said.

"It's been a boyhood dream to see Pompey in the FA Cup final so I have travelled back from New Zealand for the final, I have got my ticket and I am going on Saturday."

Heather Deeley, from the Spinnaker Tower, said: "The success of Portsmouth Football Club mirrors the newfound confidence within the city."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version