When the Portsmouth Santa inspired the Blues to victoryÂ

By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2018, 15:53 BST
Updated 10th Jan 2019, 10:39 BST
Geoffrey Peters is unmasked. Picture: Sarah Standing (133618-2795)Geoffrey Peters is unmasked. Picture: Sarah Standing (133618-2795)
Geoffrey Peters is unmasked. Picture: Sarah Standing (133618-2795)
Tomorrow marks the 34th anniversary of the Pompey Santa's pitch invasion which spurred the Blues' fightback against Oxford.Â

On December 22, 1984, Pompey were losing 1-0 in a second division top-of-the-table clash and seemed to be heading for defeat.

But a Father Christmas emerged from the stands and ran onto the field before swiftly being ejected from the ground.

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This unexpected interruption inspired the Blues to a stunning comeback, with Alan Biley scoring two headers '“ the second coming in added-time.

The mystery of the Pompey Santa remained for a while until The News uncovered his identity in 2013.

Geoffrey Peters was inspired to carry out his historic pitch invasion by a £10 wager from his brother, Douglas.

Speaking to The News five years ago, he said: '˜In hindsight I wish I'd been able to stay behind somehow. 

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'˜I would have been carried, not sent down that road by the police! 

'˜Basically, it was a dare. I'd just turned 17 and bought my first Vespa from Rafferty Newmans in Southsea.

'˜My older brother Douglas had a Lambretta, so we dressed up and rode down to the football '“ it was one of my first visits to Fratton Park. 

'˜Douglas dared me to run on the pitch for £10. 

'˜If I'd thought about it sensibly, I'd never have done it! 

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'˜I think the players were pleased to see me because they all looked knackered. Everyone was blowing! 

'˜But the referee stopped the game, giving me the freedom of the pitch.

'˜After I'd reached the centre circle I ran towards the Milton End and gave the Oxford fans some stick, which got a loud cheer. 

'˜Then the whole of the North Stand started singing 'we've got a Santa on the pitch' which was incredible! 

'˜I remember thinking 'what have I got myself into here?' 

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'˜A policeman then took me away to have a chat. It basically went along the lines of 'get out'. So we did.

'˜Me and Douglas jumped on our scooters and sped off. 

'˜When we arrived, a bloke working at Rafferty Newmans had the game on the radio and was running around like a lunatic. 

'˜We then realised we had won and started jumping up and down as well! 

'It was unbelievable. But it's great that fans still talk about that game. 

'˜I'm glad I was able to help just a little bit.'  

Related topics:BluesPompey