On three occasions in the early 50's the
gates of Fratton Park had to be closed early because of a capacity crowd. A
police sergeant, Brian Morrissey was asked to provide a commentary on the match
to the crowds locked outside. Without knowing it, Brian had begun a new role.
Afterwards it was realised that there were many patients in hospitals that were
fans of Portsmouth Football Club.
On 27th October 1951 the first commentary
specifically for hospital patients was relayed from Fratton Park. This broadcast
so impressed one of the Club's Directors, Vernon Stokes, that he lost no opportunity
to put forward the idea to the Directors of other league clubs.
Mr. Stokes' enthusiasm and the commentaries themselves were to act
a springboard for the rapid expansion of sports broadcasting to patients in
hospitals and to the development of Hospital Broadcasting in general.
Portsmouth became a role model in the
development of such services throughout the rest of the United Kingdom.
Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting has been covering Pompey for over 50
years. Every home game is covered at Fratton Park by our expert commentary team
and our anchor man in the studio.
All the build up to the game to get you in the mood for another 3 points for
the Blues here on Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting - Play Up Pompey
*****
The football commentary service had been
operating since 1951 but, it wasn't until 1968 that the idea for a complete
radio station began.
It was during 1968/69 that Paul Robbins,
together with fellow Portsmouth Grammar School pupil Richard Skinner, developed
an interest in radio. They made programmes on homespun equipment and sent a
sample to Radio One Disc Jockey Johnnie Walker, who suggested that they contact
their local hospital radio service and apply their "talents" to that.
It was then that they discovered that Portsmouth did not have a service of this
kind.
With the help and blessing of the Hospital's Management Committee, who
gave them the go-ahead and space to use as a studio. PHB was born.
They refurbished and decorated an underground operating theatre beneath
St, Mary's and went on the air in April 1970. The number of broadcasting hours
were gradually increased to take in music programmes as well as football commentaries.
The service began to expand rapidly, but the old studios suffered from
frequent flooding due to the underground location so finally in 1986 PHB moved
to its present location in the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham. The opening
night was featured live on prime time television on the BBC's Hospital Watch
programme just prior to the 6 O'clock news - seen by millions.
In 2005 we returned to St Mary's as the
new building work swallowed up our QA studios at the Cosham site. We re-commenced
broadcasting in May 2005
Our main fund raising event each year is
the Southsea Show. From the Common we present a variety of programmes and always
have professional acts each day. The entire three days is recorded and selected
highlights are played on Portsmouth Hospital Broadcasting.
