S. W.J (JIM) SLOAN
1922-2011
Portsmouth Football Supporters Club London was saddened by the news of the death of our President, Jim SLOAN who died peacefully in Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham on Saturday 1st January 2011.
Jim was an immensely popular Director of Portsmouth Football Club from November 1976 until his retirement on his 70th birthday in October 1992. He joined the club as Director during the SOS campaign when Pompey had dropped to the old third division and had financial problems in trading. Along with several other new Directors, Jim’s financial help kept the club on an even keel and he was able to see the famous old club rise again out of the Fourth Division, all the way to the First by 1987.
As a Dr. Barnardo’s child born in Belfast in October 1922, Jim spent his educational years in Northamptonshire and joined the Royal Navy as his first career. On exit from the services, Jim joined the Grosvenor Press, a Printing Company in Portsmouth. Jim saw Pompey play regularly during their iconic League title years of 1949 and 1950 as a regular supporter and it became a dream come true when he was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1976.
Very much a Supporters Director, Jim identified with all Pompey fans and attended many Supporters Club meetings and passed information back to Board meetings of Supporters feelings. Following attendance at London Branch Supporters meetings and their AGM representing an Official of the Club, Jim was invited to become President of the London Branch of the Pompey Supporters Club in 1989 and rarely missed the July AGM each year in London.
His enthusiastic dialogue, with many amusing tales, made Jim a very popular President with the London Supporters Branch and, when it was his turn to speak, he would address everyone in the room as “ Supporters all “ and “ love ya”.
As a Supporter and Director, Jim travelled the country watching Pompey and completed all 92 old English league grounds in doing so. He mixed well with squad players and supporters alike and made many friends in club Board-rooms up and down England. He loved football trivia and set many quiz’s for the first team in the 1980’s and 1990’s to amuse half an hour on the journey. Players such as Alan Knight, Andy Awford, Mick Kennedy and Billy Gilbert regarded Jim as a lucky mascot and even their Granddad at times…..
It was Jim who re-instated the old Loving Cup tradition in 1991 together with Club Historian Richard Owen in dusting down the 1937 porcelain three handled Cup, which lay idle on display in the Club’s trophy cabinet. It was filled with champagne and the loyal Toast made to the Queen and Sport and was then passed round the Boardroom to all guests after the first league game of a new year.
Jim became President of Petersfield Town FC upon retirement and still lived in the City in his Copnor home until his death at the age of 88.
Club Historian Richard Owen commented “ Jim was a legend and from a much loved era of club history. Always smartly dressed in a three piece suit, he was a larger than life character and had the ability to make even the most miserable person laugh. A great raconteur who loved life and loved Pompey. He will be greatly missed.”