David Leworthy’s 12 most memorable minutes of football are immortalized in gorgeous black and white.
The picture of him as a wiry 18-year-old looking enthralled by a thunderous Steve Aizlewood aerial challenge is proudly displayed in his Southsea house.
The young player made his Pompey debut in the match against Newport County in October 1981, a time to treasure for a devoted fan who had idolized Dave Kemp and dreamed of playing for his hometown.
Later, Leworthy was promoted from Fareham Town to Spurs and given his Premier League debut in the North London derby alongside teammates Glen Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles, Steve Perryman, and Ray Clemence.
The striker previously played for Oxford United and Reading before becoming one of non-league’s most lethal shooters until his retirement at age 50.
He still considers that Pompey performance to be the apex of an exciting career, though.
And, much to the 60-year-old’s enduring dismay, a brawl with Southampton forward Steve Moran in a Southsea nightclub stopped him from ever playing for his beloved Blues again.
“I can tell you the day I appeared at Pompey, October 24, 1981, and I can also tell you there were 8,787 people there. Leworthy told The News, “I will never forget that.”
‘I have a picture of that Newport County game,’ you say. inside was a large spare bathroom where I used to live in Cowplain, and I used to store all of my football-related stuff inside, including trophies and pictures. People might glance when they sat down to pass the time.
Since we relocated to Southsea, it is now visible as you enter the room on the main wall. Funny enough, the only football image I currently have available is that one.
“As a young Pompey boy, my only goal was to play for my club,” he said. Well, I did it, and I have the photo to prove it. It’s a feat of which I’m quite proud. For me, the rest was a wonderful bonus.
‘Don’t get me wrong, to play for Spurs was wonderful, unbelievable, and other clubs like as Oxford United and Reading, but pulling on that Pompey shirt was something unique. Very special.
It doesn’t even matter that I was a replacement for only 12 minutes since I played for Pompey, and that is the best thing of all. Then I ruined it because I was foolish and young.
“My biggest regret from my football career was what occurred with Steve Moran in the nightclub. It definitely lost me my job at Pompey, if I’m being completely honest.
Leworthy, who was born in Froddington Road, Somerstown, moved to Australia with his family in 1963 at the age of six months, initially residing in Adelaide and subsequently Melbourne.
Eight years after moving back to the south coast, he went to his first game at Fratton Park in December 1971, when Ron Tindall’s team fell to Sheffield Wednesday 2-1.
At Charles Dickens School, Ray Crawford recognized him as a nine-year-old with great potential. The following year, Ray Crawford offered him to join the Blues’ youth program, where he later served an apprenticeship alongside players like Alan Knight, Kevin Bartlett, and Steve Berry.
When Frank Burrows called Leworthy off the bench to replace Billy Rafferty late in a scoreless Fratton Park tie with Newport County in October 1981, Leworthy made his breakthrough.
His Pompey career was nearly ended not long after that.
I saw Steve Moran in Nero’s on a lads’ night out with a pal, the man continued. There were many individuals who did not like him being there at the time because he was injured and could not play.
Since he was a significant star for Southampton, it was only natural to inquire as to his purpose for being there.
“We got into a fight, he got punched in a split-second and ended up on the floor with a couple of lads trying to help him,” the witness said.
