May 1-7: Champions For The Second Year Running!

Tuesday 2:  A win at Highbury would also give Pompey a clean sweep over the London clubs this season, having already beaten the Gunners at Fratton Park and completed the double over Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Fulham. 

But Pompey have suffered a double blow before tomorrow's big match. The FA Disciplinary Committee has announced that Jimmy Scoular is suspended for 14 days following his sending off at Derby, and Ike Clarke will be missing because of a toe injury. 

Scoular's place at right-half will go to Bill Thompson, while Reg Pickett will take over from Ike Clarke at centre-forward, despite having never played in that position before.

On a more positive note, skipper Reg Flewin is fit to re-claim his place at centre-half, having had a try-out in a friendly against Warminster the other day. Billy Spence will make way for him.

The full Pompey line-up for tomorrow night's 'match of the season' at Highbury will be: Butler, Hindmarsh, Ferrier, Thompson, Flewin, Dickinson, Harris, Reid, Pickett, Phillips, Froggatt. Kick-off is at 6.30pm. 

The entire Pompey team was at Wembley on Saturday to see Arsenal deservedly beat Liverpool 2-0 in the Cup final. Tomorrow the trophy will be piped around Highbury, led by the Dagenham Girl Pipers. 

There is certain to be a huge crowd at Highbury tomorrow. Admission is by cash at the turnstiles, and supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible. Up to 20,000 Pompey supporters are expected to travel to North London. 

Every available conveyance has been booked to take Pompey supporters to Arsenal by road, and British Railways are running additional trains from Portsmouth Harbour at 12.49pm, 1.13pm and 2.15pm. Further relief trains will be run if necessary. 

Additional train service will return to Portsmouth Harbour from Waterloo at 9.38pm, 10.20pm and 11.00pm tomorrow night. 

Arsenal have sought permission from Middlesex County Cricket Club for Dennis Compton to play against Pompey tomorrow night. If permission is granted, the Gunners will field their Cup-winning side.

Wednesday 3:  Thousands of Portsmouth supporters are in North London, and Highbury is filling rapidly as kick-off approaches in the Arsenal v Pompey match. The Gunners will be wearing their cup-winning colours of old gold shirts and white shorts. 

The final whistle has sounded at Highbury, and Pompey have lost to Arsenal. The League Championship is on a knife edge - but it will all be decided on Saturday!

Result: Arsenal 2 - 0 Pompey Attendance: 63,124

Two points for Pompey tonight and it would would have all been over bar the shouting. Instead, a goal in each half gave Arsenal victory, and now the League title will have to be decided on Saturday - the last day of the season.

There was early disappointment for the massed ranks of Pompey supporters when it was announced that skipper Reg Flewin wasn't fit after all. Bill Spence again deputised for him. The Gunners fielded the 11 men who won them the FA Cup on Saturday. 

There was an electric atmosphere inside Highbury, and it was Arsenal who looked the more composed side during the early exchanges.

Arsenal took the lead in the 25th minute. Dennis Compton took a corner on the right, and with the Pompey defence at sixes and sevens Peter Goring rose to nod the ball home unchallenged. 

Pompey played with more urgency  after the break, but too many moves broke down in the final third of the pitch and Arsenal's keeper, Swindin, was rarely troubled. 

With ten minutes remaining Arsenal made the game safe. A flick from Logie found Goring, and the former butcher's boy slotted the ball past Butler to score his second goal of the night.

There is bound to be plenty of nail biting on Saturday, with Pompey and Wolves level on points at the top of the table. Pompey have a superior goal average. In the final matches Pompey are at home to Aston Villa. Wolves entertain Birmingham City. 

Match Summary: Arsenal 2, Pompey 0

Portsmouth Reserves 1, Watford Reserves 1 (Mid Week League)

Thursday 4:  Pompey supporters may well have been disappointed by the result at Arsenal last night, but they were not downhearted. Hundreds of them crowded around the team coach as it pulled away from Highbury, cheering the players and wishing them good luck. 

The armada of coaches that carried Pompey supporters to Highbury yesterday was delayed on its return journey by a dark smoke over London. An Air Ministry official described it as an industrial haze caused by lack of wind and a temperature inversion 

Arsenal goalkeeper Swindin punches clear from Pompey forwards Pickett (left) and Froggatt in the big match at Highbury last night.

The Isle of Wight Referees Society beat the Portsmouth Referees Society 4-3 in a charity match at Fratton Park this evening. Pompey skipper Reg Flewin officiated, assisted by linesmen Harry Ferrier and Jack Froggatt. 

Friday 5:  Pompey play their most important fixture of the season tomorrow when they face Aston Villa at Fratton Park (3pm). Victory will bring them the League Champonship for the second year running. 

If Pompey should draw against Aston Villa tomorrow they could be pipped to the title by Wolves, who are at home to relegated Birmingham City. Defeat for Pompey would mean they could also be overhauled by Sunderland, who entertain Chelsea. 

Goal average will settle the issue if Pompey and Wolves both win, and Pompey's is far superior - 1.864 compared to Wolves' 1.458. It would take an avalanche of 20 or more goals for Wolves to overturn that tomorrow.

If the title is indeed decided on goal average it will be only the second time in the history of the Football League that this has happened. The previous occasion was in 1923/24 when Huddersfield Town pipped Cardiff City by a fraction of a goal. 

Irrespective of the outcome of tomorrow's title race Pompey players and officials will be entertained to a dinner and dance at the municipal offices tomorrow evening hosted by the Lord Mayor, Alderman John Privett. 

If Pompey retain the Championship they will parade the trophy tomorrow evening, leaving Fratton Park at 6pm and travelling via Goldsmith Avenue, Victoria Road North, Elm Grove, Kings Road, Kings Terrace, Pier Road, Gordon Road and Clarence Parade.

If the Pompey victory procession goes ahead tomorrow it will be led along the entire route by the Portsmouth Fire Brigade Band. 

Pompey's team selection plans for the big match tomorrow has again been affected by injury. Ike Clarke is still unfit, and Reg Pickett, the makeshift centre-forward at Arsenal on Wednesday, took a heavy knock and is doubtful.

Skipper Reg Flewin may be fit to return at centre-half, but a decision will not be made until the morning. Jimmy Scoular is still serving his 14-day suspension. 

While Pompey struggle with their injury and suspension problems, both Wolves and Sunderland are expected to be at full strength for their own big matches tomorrow. 

With a big crowd expected at Fratton Park tomorrow the Pompey secretary Mr Dan Clarke has issued his familiar plea to "arrive early, have the correct money ready at the turnstiles, and squeeze up to make room for your fellow supporters." 

Saturday 6:  Pompey supporters have been flocking to Fratton Park for the big match against Aston Villa this afternoon. The first arrivals were at six o'clock this morning. Within minutes of the turnstiles opening at noon all the seating accommodation was full.

Many in the rapidly-growing Fratton Park crowd are waving rattles and wearing large blue and white favours. Others have displayed banners and flags around the ground.

The shock news from the Pompey dressing room is that reserve wing-half Bill Thompson has been named at centre-forward for this afternoon's title-deciding clash with Aston Villa. Both Ike Clarke and Reg Pickett have failed late fitness tests. 

With Thompson's surprise selection as leader of the line this afternoon, Billy Spence will shuffle across from centre-half to right-half to cover for Jimmy Scoular, who is still suspended. Reg Flewin is fit again and returns as skipper and pivot. 

The full Pompey line up this afternoon is:

1 Ernie Butler

2 Bill Hindmarsh

3 Harry Ferrier

4 Billy Spence

5 Reg Flewin

6 Jimmy Dickinson

7 Peter Harris

8 Duggie Reid

9 Bill Thompson

10 Len Phillips

11 Jack Froggatt

The Aston Villa team this afternoon is: Rutherford, Parkes, Dorsett, Powell, Martin, Moss, Dixon, Gibson, Craddock, Edwards, Goffin. 

The Portsmouth Fire Brigade Band are entertaining the crowd at Fratton Park at the moment. If Pompey are confirmed as League Champions today the band will lead the victory procession through the city streets tonight, starting at 6pm.

If Pompey beat Aston Villa the Championship pennant will once again be flying over Fratton Park. If the Blues draw they could be overhauled by Wolves. Defeat would mean Pompey could also be vulnerable to a last-minute challenge from Sunderland. 

Here’s how Pompey line up, with half-back Bill Thompson deputising up front for the injured Ike Clarke

With 15 minutes to go until kick-off there are more than 40,000 people inside Fratton Park. The band has just struck up the Pompey Chimes, and the supporters' response is spine-tingling. 

As the afternoon progresses their were regular updates from Molineux, where Wolves are playing Birmingham City, and from Sunderland v Chelsea at Roker Park.

The teams are out at Fratton Park. The reception for Reg Flewin and his men must have been heard all over the city.

Reg Flewin has won the toss and set his men to defend the Fratton End in the first half.

The match is under way at Fratton Park. 

GOAL! What a start by Pompey! They are ahead after just 20 seconds. The crowd have raised the roof. 

The scorer is stand-in centre-forward Bill Thompson. Jack Froggatt played a delightful ball in from the left and Thompson steadied himself before gliding the ball past the keeper. Pompey 1 Villa 0. 

From the re-start Butler punches away a Villa cross and Dickinson gets Pompey moving forward again. 

There is anxiety in the Villa defence as they try to cope with a cross from Froggatt, but eventually the ball is cleared.

Wolves have taken the lead against Birmingham. Pye is the scorer.

A cross from Peter Harris is headed behind for a Pompey corner.

Harris's corner is cleared after a scramble. 

Pompey have missed a glorious chance to go two up. With Harris clear on goal Thompson's pass to him was wayward and the ball is cleared.

A shot from Harris fizzes over the Villa bar.

Thompson is doing well in his unfamiliar centre-forward role, and the Villa defence are having their work cut out to deal with him. 

After a period of sustained Pompey pressure Villa broke quickly. A cross found Dixon but he headed over the bar. 

The visitors are looking more lively now, but Pompey's defence is holding firm.

GOAL! A shot from Harris is parried by the keeper. The ball runs to Duggie Reid who thunders a terrific shot into the net. Pompey 2 Villa 0.

Wolves are also two-up. Mullen has scored in their game against Birmingham at Molineux. But as things stand Pompey still have the upper hand. 

It's now Wolves 3 Birmingham 0 at Molineux. That will remain an irrelevance as long as Pompey are ahead against Villa.

Aston Villa are in no mood to give up at Fratton Park. Craddock is particularly troublesome to the Pompey defence, but they are denying the visitors any clear openings.

The crowd is frustrated with Len Phillips for holding the ball too long, but Thompson is still doing extremely well, often laying the ball off cleverly to his wingers. 

There have been more goals for Wolves against hapless Birmingham City at Molineux. Wolves 5 Birmingham 0.

It's half time at Fratton Park. Pompey 2 Aston Villa 0.

The half-time whistle has also sounded at Molineux. Wolves 5 Birmingham City 0. 

Sunderland lead Chelsea 2-0 at half-time, but with Pompey 2-0 up against Villa, and Wolves winning handsomely against Birmingham, the goose would appear to be well and truly cooked for the Rokerites.

The second half is underway at Fratton Park.

GOAL! Pompey were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area and Duggie Reid has rifled it home to put Pompey three-up. Surely that will be enough for the Championship now?

Birmingham City have pulled a goal back at Molineux. It's now Wolves 5 Birmingham 1, but the Championship trophy seems set to remain in the Fratton Park trophy cabinet for another year! 

A header from Len Phillips is cleverly saved at the foot of the post by the Villa keeper. 

Pompey should have had a fourth goal after 60 minutes but with the goal at his mercy Harris shot wide. 

There is a carnival atmosphere at Fratton Park now, with every pass to a blue shirt being greeted with wild cheering.

GOAL! The ball is pushed through the middle by Dickinson and Thompson is there to beat Rutherford with an unstoppable shot. Fratton Park erupts. Pompey 4 Aston Villa 0.

The Pompey Chimes are booming out around Fratton Park as the League Championship pennant is once again hoisted over the South Stand - even though there are still 12 minutes remaining.

The cheering gets louder as the League Championship trophy is positioned on the front of the stand by the directors' box.

GOAL! It's five for Pompey - and a hat-trick for Duggie Reid, who rose to head home Jack Froggatt's cross from the left. 

Penalty to Aston Villa - awarded when the ball bounced up and hit Hindmarsh's hand. 

Dorsett scores from the penalty spot. Pompey 5 Aston Villa 1. There are two minutes remaining. 

It's all over at Fratton Park! Pompey are League Champions for the second season running. They have beaten Aston Villa 5-1, and their supporters are going wild with delight. 

The police cordon cannot keep back the crowds and thousands of supporters are swarming in front of the directors' box. Some of the Pompey players haven't yet made it to the dressing room. 

Not that it matters, but Wolves have beaten Birmingham City 6-1 at Molineux, and Sunderland have beaten Chelsea 4-1 at Roker Park. 

Pompey's triumphant players, twice League Champions, are expected to appear in the directors' box shortly. 

The Pompey players have appeared in the directors' box and Fratton Park lets out another enormous roar!

Pompey Chairman Mr J Chinneck is thanking the players for their whole-hearted efforts, and for bringing honour to the city for the second year running. 

Mr Chinneck is paying special tribute to the reserve players who have come into the side and performed so well during difficult periods when there have been injuries and suspensions. 

Mr Chinneck's words are being echoed by skipper Reg Flewin. He says all the players have given their best, and none of them have let the side down. (Loud cheers) 

The Fratton Park crowd are now calling for Jimmy Scoular (suspended today) and Ike Clarke (injured). Both acknowledge the crowd's cheers. 

The Pompey players and officials have now left the directors' box but the supporters seem very reluctant to disperse.

Remember, Pompey's victory parade will leave Fratton Park at 6pm and its route will include Goldsmith Avenue, Victoria Road North, Elm Grove, Kings Road, Kings Terrace, Pier Road, Gordon Road and Clarence Parade.

Match Summary: Portsmouth 5, Aston Villa 1

Sunday 7:  Headlines from todays Sunday Newspapers:-

- Pompey skipper Reg Flewin shakes hands with Aston Villa captain Powell before kick-off in yesterday's match at Fratton Park. The Blues beat Villa 5-1 to take the First Division title for the second season running. 

- Emergency centre-forward Bill Thompson scored twice in Pompey's Championship-winning victory over Aston Villa yesterday. 

- Duggie Reid plundered a characteristically no-nonsense hat-trick as Aston Villa were swept aside at Fratton Park yesterday.

- Duggie Reid is mobbed by jubilant supporters after Pompey clinched their second League Championship by beating Aston Villa 5-1 at Fratton Park yesterday. Bill Spence is on the right of the photograph. 

- Pompey set off on their 'Champions Again' victory parade yesterday evening. 

- It was slow progress for Pompey's players and staff as the League Championship trophy was paraded through the city streets last night. Pompey's victory parade ended at the council chambers, where the players and staff were entertained to dinner by the Lord Mayor, Alderman John Privett. 

- Bill Hindmarsh shows off the League Championship trophy to fans during Pompey's victory parade last night.

- Portsmouth-born Reg Flewin has now skippered Pompey to two League Championships. Here he is showing off the trophy at Southsea at the end of the victory parade last night (pic).

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