RIP Ron Saunders and Jim Smith

This month we lost one of Pompey's all time best goal-scorers when Ron Saunders: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50701448 and now we have lost on of Pompey's greatest ever managers Jim Smith: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50731748 Sad news all round.

 

It was my privilege to see Ron Saunders play many times for Portsmouth. He always played at centre forward ( before they were superseded by 'strikers.'). In his many Pompey appearances I doubt he was ever selected in any other position.
Ron was short for a centre forward but was a very good header of the ball. A lasting memory from my boyhood was the roar that would go up from the Fratton end when Pompey won a corner down there. Saunders and Harry Harris were both fine headers and there was an expectancy that one of them would win a header and score or come close.
Despite lack of height Ron was very physically strong and did not yield to bigger defenders.
Comparing Ron to modern day strikers is interesting. Centre forwards were not called on to do much hold up play or ball retention then. Ball retention was not so prevalent - probably because the pitch conditions did not encourage it. Daily training was on the match pitch and its condition soon deteriorated as the season progressed.
Also wingers played in a more advanced position then which provided more passing options when the ball was played forward, During the Saunders era Pompey had some good wingers which resulted in Ron being fed on good crosses that suited his heading ability.
Despite playing in a position where he received plenty of stick Ron was rarely involved in any incidents and could be considered a very fair and sporting player.
I am grateful for the memories.
RIP Ron.