Peter Higham 1930-2026

Pompey's oldest former player Peter Higham has died at the age of 95.  Peter was also the last surviving member of the Championship winning years having played just once in the 1949/50 season.

Born in Wigan on 8 November 1930 he joined Pompey in 1948 as an amateur while serving in the Royal Marines and soon established himself as a promising forward. 

His chance came in February 1950 and as a 19-year-old he made his First Division debut against Birmingham City replacing top scorer Ike Clarke as Pompey had picked up a few injuries - Reg Pickett replacing Duggie Reid in a side ravaged by injury.

Here is the programme page with Peter's name at number 9..

He subsequently recalled how he came to be called up: “The Pompey manager, Bob Jackson, telephoned Eastney Barracks. I was on duty as a gym orderly and was tidying the gym office when I was summoned by a senior officer. He told me I was to report to Fratton Park for the game against Brum the following day. I would be deputising at centre-forward for the great Ike Clarke. I remember going up there on a trolley bus from outside the barracks. The bus was full of fans who were also going to the match.”

Although he didn’t score in the 2-0 win, he made a good impression.

“I remember both goals being scored by Peter Harris. What a winger he was, probably the fastest I’ve seen. I set him up for one of the goals. These days they call it an assist. I got a good write up in the papers. The Evening News reporter, Ranger, said I played very well, and did everything but score. Gil Merrick, the Birmingham and England goalkeeper played a blinder, otherwise I may well have got a goal or two myself,” Peter later recalled.

Peter's memories were indeed correct as the Football Mail confirms with the headline 'New Leader "Makes" Goal'  - in 1950 the term assist had not been invented.

The page also contains the only action picture of Peter in a Pompey shirt.  This was clipped and used as below -

That summer, the lure of the north – his mother’s cooking to be precise – was too much and, after being de-mobbed Peter signed for Bolton Wanderers as a professional. 

He didn’t make an appearance at Burnden Park and in 1952 he moved to Preston in search of regular football. He made 15 appearances there scoring 10 goals before moving to Nottingham Forest in 1955 for £8,000 where he won a Third Division South title medal in 1956.

He was back at Fratton Park in January 1957 for an FA Cup third round game with Forest as the second division team shocked Pompey 3-1. 

After retiring from the game in 1968 he had a number of jobs including a Physical Training Instructor. 

Until 2023 it had been believed Jimmy Elder was the last surviving player from the championship years, but some detective work by the Pompey History Society found Peter alive and well in Southport.

In 2025 he was guest of honour at the club’s Hall of Fame dinner organised by the society and the Former Players Association. His after-dinner speech will be long remembered by a those who were present. He was presented on the pitch to the crowd at half time the following day at the game against Derby. 

Peter was married to Josephine – Jo and is survived by daughters Jane, Sarah and Mandy. His son Michael died aged 12.

Thanks to Graham Dubber and Colin Farmery in producing this obituary.

Neil Allen interviewed Peter a short time ago and you can read it here.