Milkins hold audience in safe hands
Posted on 31st Oct 2024 by David Taylor
John Milkins held the members of the Pompey History Society in awe as he told the story of his life in football and answered a wide range of questions from an appreciative audience.
John went back to his schooldays, being rejected by West Ham and Spurs, playing at school with Martin Paters, his favourite player in Jimmy Greaves, breaking his left arm against Wolves in 1967 which cost him an England U23 chance and turning down a move to Arsenal.
He chose his most memorable game as the 1-0 win Hull City’s Boothferry Park in January 1971. Hull were top of the Second Division and they pounded Pompey for 88 minutes with Milkins making countless saves before Ray Pointer broke clear and squared for Ray Hiron to thump home the winner. (This was a game I always refer to as the forgotten game as it was sandwiched between the Arsenal Cup tie at Fratton and the rearranged replay at Highbury, I must admit being one of a tiny band of fans who made the long trip that John was unbeatable that day – Ed) That was also Pompey’s first away win in fifteen months.
A thoroughly enjoyable morning for the audience who were joined by John’s former team mate Dave Munks and Rachel Walden from the Professional Footballers Association. Afterwards both former players signed autographs and posed for photographs.
We look forward to the next of these daytime sessions intended to help the older fans who perhaps like to be tucked up in bed. Any ideas on content please contact the Society.
Photos courtesy of Rachel Walden PFA and Pompey History Society.
If you missed the event you can watch an excerpt here.
You can also watch the Match of the Day coverage of the 1967 Wolves game here.
An annual PHS membership is just £10 and supports the charity's twin goals of preserving the club's archive and sharing it with the public.
If you are aged between 18 and 21 you are entitled to a free membership!
Join here: https://pompeyhistory.org/join-phs-online
If you have any content ideas drop us a line at our email address history@pompeyfc.co.uk.