Pompey Expects!
News release issued: 18th July 2008The unlikely alliance of two major events the FA Cup and the Battle of Trafalgar was famously captured by the Portsmouth News as an innovative image on their front page on Saturday 17th May, the same day that Harry Redknapp marched his team to glory in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
The Royal Naval Museum gratefully received a world famous painting of the re-enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar, a perfect example of Nelson in the 21st Century.
Editor of ‘The News’ Mark Waldron presented the famous image of William Overend’s ‘The Hero of Trafalgar’ infused with the faces of Portsmouth Football Team to Colin White, Director of the Royal Naval Museum on Thursday 17th July.
Colin White agrees this is a unique piece of art: “Nelson called the captains who served with him at the Battle of Copenhagen, “a very distinguished set of fine fellows”. That is the way that all of us here at the Royal Naval Museum feel about the Pompey squad after their splendid victory. So we are delighted that a painting from our collection is being used to celebrate their success. I am sure that Nelson would have approved!”
The print has had a powerful impact on Portsmouth and has already sold thousands of copies. It is due to be displayed in the Nelson Gallery section of the Royal Naval Museum.
