Pompey Hall-of-famer Nick Jennings has died. The former Blues player passed away at the weekend, aged 70. Jennings was a diminutive and nippy left-winger, who spent seven years at Fratton Park between 1966 and 1973. Read more: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-hall-of-fame-member-nick-jennings-dies-1-7417647#ixzz4ApBC8Cju Sad news indeed - I remember watching him play in the late 1960's. Very fast, and a good crosser of the ball. In those days, Plymouth were almost a feeder club to Pompey, and he along with Norman Piper were probably the pick of the players we signed from them. Richie Reynolds and Steve Davey weren't bad either, and Mike Trebilcock (signed via Everton).
I remember him speeding down the wing and being part of a good Pompey side in the 1967/68 season. Did not quite have enough to get promotion that season. Afterwards, things slowly deteriorated for the next decade under John Deacon´s ownership until the club found itself in Division 4. In fact it was the one good season between 1962 when Pompey got promotion back to Division 2 and 1979/80 and the club´s promotion from Division 4, so he will be fondly remembered for that.
I remember one particular match at Fratton Park against Cardiff City. I was sitting in the South Stand Upper, and Nicky Jennings was bombing down the wing throughout the first half, easily beating their full back every time. There was a little Welshman in his fifties sitting in front of me, and in the second half the Cardiff full back chopped Nicky Jennings down with a late vicious tackle. The little Cardiff fan jumped up and shouted "WELL DONE !!, WELL DONE !!" to his player, which prompted a tallish lady sitting near me to leap from her seat push her face into his and scream "WELL DONE ?, WELL DONE ? - HE OUGHT TO BE WELL DONE !!!" The poor little Welshman sat down immediately and didn't move or say anything else until the final whistle, when he rushed off out of the stand ! I swear to God I heard him sobbing quietly as he left
Wow, I remember all of the above named except Richie Reynolds who I can't place for some reason. I remember seeing all the others play which doesn't half date me. Steve Davey does the occasional co-commentary on Radio Devon on match days for Argyle. Nicky Jennings was a winger of the true definition and a great player. Sad news.
