Alan Knight: Portsmouth pay tribute after ‘The Legend’ dies aged 65 | OneFootball

Portsmouth have announced the death of former goalkeeper and coach Alan Knight at the age of 65.

Knight made 801 appearances for Pompey – second only to Jimmy Dickinson – after debuting as a 16-year-old on the final day of the 1977-78 season.

He publicly disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis in October 2024 to raise awareness and encourage people to get tested.

A club statement read: "The word legend is often overused in football, but the fact that Alan was still known as ‘The Legend’ at Pompey more than 20 years after hanging up his gloves speaks volumes.

"He will be sadly missed by the Fratton faithful, teammates and all of us at the club who knew and loved him.

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Knight played over 800 games for Portsmouth (Getty)

"Our thoughts are with Alan’s wife Heather, his daughters Jade and Rebekah, and all his family and friends at this incredibly sad time.

"Rest in peace, The Legend."

Born in London, the shot-stopper featured in three promotion-winning campaigns – including Pompey's return to the top flight in 1986-87 – and was part of the team that reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1991-92.

He retired aged 38 in the year 2000, turning to coaching with non-league Havant and Waterlooville before returning to Pompey in a coaching role.

In 2004, due to being short on goalkeepers, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp placed Knight on the bench for a Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.

Following coaching spells in the United States and England, he returned to Fratton Park to work with the goalkeepers in 2013 and was later named club ambassador.

Knight represented England at youth level but did not earn a senior cap for the Three Lions.

In addition to his work as a goalkeeping coach at Portsmouth, Knight also held the same position at Bournemouth, Dorchester Town and Aldershot Town.

In 2009, he was named as joint manager of non-league side Horndean and was briefly registered as a player, but he did not make an appearance for the club.

Knight went back to Dorchester in November 2009 to take up the role as manager of the club. He left his position five months later.