England's, England's Number One!
England's Number One!

We sang from the terraces
As Alan Knight took his place in goal
For every minute of every match
In Bobby Campbell’s winning team

And then again for Ball’s brawlers 
Bailing them out in three tough seasons
Time and time and time again
As they scrapped into Division One

On wet, dark nights when crowds were thin
At Blundell, Ewood and Boundary Parks
Knightsie faced up to all the shots
Defiant, despite some dreadful knocks

For Pompey he tasted blood, Champagne, tears
He savoured wins, shook off each loss
Balham born, this brave, blond lad
Even won applause from The Den

Twelve managers and who knows
How many team mates he saw come and go
In eight hundred and one games
For this grateful football club

His friends were Kitman Kev and Johnny Moore
Men long-anchored to these shores
Who, like he, have seen it all
Pompey's re-birth after some falls

Knightsie played across England
Highbury, Villa, Anfield, West Ham
But most of all, at Fratton Park
This was his only football home

Gentle giant, Alan Knight
The Legend
Portsmouth's Number One

~

n.b. This tribute to Alan Knight MBE, (1961 - 2026) was first published in the Portsmouth FC v Cardiff City match day programme on 5th September, 2026.  

Chris Perry

5th September 2026