This week, local grassroots clubs received an email from Portsmouth Academy raising concerns about someone falsely claiming to represent the club.

The individual, who is said to be in his 60s, wearing a Portsmouth FC kit, and carrying a staff ID card, has approached parents and coaches at grassroots games. He has told them he is a scout for the Pompey Academy and a former coach, but the Academy has confirmed that they do not employ anyone by that name and have no connection to the person.

The club is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness, classifying it as a safeguarding issue, and has reported it to the Football Association. The Academy has also informed coaches and parents that trial invitations are exclusively issued by three members of the Pompey Academy recruitment team, none of whom are the individual in question.

The statement from Portsmouth FC academy

‘’Good afternoon all,

I would like to bring to your attention that we have recently been contacted by parents about a man impersonating themselves as a ‘Portsmouth FC academy scout’ and former ‘Portsmouth FC academy coach’

The man has been appearing at grassroots games wearing ‘Portsmouth FC kit’ and is displaying a ‘Portsmouth FC staff ID card’ when approaching parents and coaches. He presents himself with the name ‘howard Denton ’ and is described to be in his 60’s.

I would like to confirm that Portsmouth FC academy does not employ any person with the name Howard Denton have any connections with the impersonator. We are treating this as a serious safeguarding incident, but we are providing this information as a warning to grassroots clubs as the impersonator may plan to visit your clubs soon. Under no circumstances should people be presenting themselves as Portsmouth FC employees when they are not.

Portsmouth FC academy scouts are expected to wear Portsmouth FC kit and present their PFC scout ID card when attending games. However, Portsmouth FC academy scouts are clearly instructed to never promise or guarantee trials to players. Coaches of grassroots clubs should always be approached first by Portsmouth FC scouts if there is interest in a player, and permission must be granted by the coaches/club if the scout wishes to speak to the parent.

The following scouts are the only 3 members of Portsmouth FC’s academy recruitment department responsible for trial invitations to PFC academy:

Jason Ngandu
Edrissa Sallah
Larry Clay

If your club, or a parent at your club, is promised a trial by someone who’s name is not on the list above, we strongly advise to not engage in any further conversation or share any personal details with them.

The safety of all of young children is paramount to Portsmouth FC, therefore we have reported the incident to the FA, but I also encourage you to contact me (details below) if you have any doubts about a person claiming to be a Portsmouth FC academy scout or if your club may (or already have) come across the impersonator that we have described in this statement’’

PLEASE BE VIGILANT