Academy under starter's orders for fundraising night

All proceeds from the event taking place in the Victory Lounge, Fratton Park, on Friday will be given to Andy Awford’s set-up.

Organisers hope to use the money to upgrade their analysis equipment which is vital in the development of the youngsters.

Awford will be joined by the likes of Paul Hardyman and Mark Kelly in manning the tills on the night selling race cards, with eight races in prospect.

The action gets under starter’s orders at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm and entrance free of charge.

And Academy boss Awford is hoping for a good turnout from Pompey supporters to help bolster their finances.

He said: ‘Everyone is welcome, friends, family members, next-door neighbours, aunties and uncles, so please spread the word as we need as many punters to attend as possible. It will be a great event, lots of fun and most of all will help raise money in our efforts to keep producing players for this club.

‘All proceeds collected will go into the Academy pot and we are looking to get enough from this event to upgrade our analysis equipment that is vital to us.

‘We ran a race night last year which was really successful and well backed by a lot of people, so hopefully we can better even that this time around. The Academy always appreciates the tremendous generosity of fans who continue to help us in our job and long may that continue.

‘It should be another great evening for everyone, so please come down to Fratton and keep giving your fantastic support to this club.’

In addition to the races, the bar will be open in the Victory Lounge and hot food is available to buy.

There will be a total of eight races with some horses in the first seven races still available to be bought beforehand at £10 each.

The winning owner of each race will win two tickets for the first-team match against 
Southend on Tuesday, November 26.

Anyone wishing to get involved with sponsoring a horse can contact the event coordinator, Tracey Mitchell, at [email protected]