There was some exciting news yesterday that former, and long-term, Magpie Matt Ritchie has landed at a new club. It’s familiar terrain for Ritchie as he returns to where is all began with Portsmouth.
Here is the announcement of Ritchie’s return to Fratton Park.
It's official. He's home. ??#Pompey pic.twitter.com/narRiQJKQa
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) August 6, 2024
The Gosport-born winger began his career with Pompey joining their academy at age 13 in 2002. He made 10 appearances before departing for Swindon Town in 2011, after a loan spell.
Ritchie’s rise then gained steam with long-term stays at Bournemouth and of course, Newcastle United. Ritchie was released this summer after 8 seasons at St. James’ Park. He now has a new challenge back at Portsmouth on a two-year deal.
Interestingly, Matt isn’t the only former-Magpie who’ll grace the Fratton Park this season. Former-youth striker Elias Sorensen returned to England earlier this summer and he’ll link up with his elder ex-teammate.
The 24-year-old Dane had a breakout campaign for Esbjerg FC in the Danish second-division with 26 goals and 15 assists. He started this season strong with a goal and 4 assists in just two matches before Portsmouth swooped in to land him late last week.
We wish both Matt and Elias the best as Portsmouth begin their return to the Championship against Leeds this Saturday.
***I’m not decided on the future of the blog at the moment. With the season kicking off soon, I will try to put out a few posts a week with a focus on matches and transfers***
149 comments so far
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:03 PM
Comment #1Golden 1st
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:03 PM
Comment #2Fcuk yer 10000th Regan yer fraud
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Comment #3Ed’s blog lives on. Well done Neil. Hope you and the fam are keeping good.
magicmac54
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:04 PM
Comment #4To fleet footed for me young Check 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:06 PM
Comment #5Wowzers!
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Comment #6Nice to be on a new Post eh Magic. You keeping good. Any plans to have a pint in the toon?
Mund
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:07 PM
Comment #7Yes Neil!
Long live Ed’s blog
Hope you and Jessie are well Neil
Onwards and Upwards
HWTL
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Comment #8Go back to discord Raj. 😉
Fenham to Chalfont
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:09 PM
Comment #9Well done Neil good man. Long live the blog x
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:09 PM
Comment #10Neil – quick one, when is the last day of zee blog..?
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:10 PM
Comment #11The Hague for Jelly belly 😀
Regan
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:11 PM
Comment #12Fraud.. 😳
Saved all you lot from a 10 page acceptance speech..
😆
Raj of Hailsley
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Comment #13Nice for ctt to start the new thread with abuse. Well done you 😉
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Comment #14Same old blog unfortunately…. A fresh start it wasnt… my lord… relentless stuff
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:14 PM
Comment #15Raj – might as well have been me, variety is the spice if life.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:14 PM
Comment #16🙂
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Comment #10255
Might have Magic. I have taken over topic-lite for music
Mund
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:15 PM
Comment #17Stack looking canny like
https://x.com/Magpie24_7/status/1821278085142213108
JaveaToon
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Comment #18Wow!
Great to see a new article. Thanks Neil.
HWTL
Davas
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Comment #19Nice one Neil. #thumbsupemoji
Nice article. Good luck to Matt Richie. Great for him to end up at his boyhood club.
Also be interesting to see how Sorenson does there.
Wor B
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:20 PM
Comment #20FPL
Ed Harrison’s H2H Div1
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Wor B
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:22 PM
Comment #21FPL
Ed Harrison’s H2H Div2
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Macas
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:23 PM
Comment #22Great to see you posting articles on here again Neil.
Pleased to see that Ritchie got a nice move and a sentimental one too.
Hope he does well there, still has plenty quality.
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:24 PM
Comment #23What an ass toastie is
Wor B
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Comment #24FPL
Ed Harrison’s H2H Div3
JohnJ …………..Joined
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Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:28 PM
Comment #25Neil
Good to see a new thread.
Hows the job going?
Love to see S-O-R-E-N-S-E-N make a good go of it at Portsmouth.
Do we have a buy back clause! 🙂
JaveaToon
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:32 PM
Comment #26Thank you and good luck to Matt Ritchie after his move to his boyhood club, Pompey, proper old school football club. Great servant, never whinged once when not playing.
Play up Pompey!!
Regan
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:34 PM
Comment #27Anyways..
Moving house shortly so won’t be around for a while..
10.000 and 1 things to do..
Keep well and catch you all later..
Ronway
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Comment #28Good to see you back Neil.
Hope you and your family are all keeping well and things are getting back to as normal as they can be without your Dad!
Best wishes to you all.
HWTL
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:37 PM
Comment #29Do1 vegan
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:38 PM
Comment #30https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/1821283021338612123
A roundabout 😀
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:39 PM
Comment #31https://x.com/CDP1882/status/1821266836551266754
Cowards 😀 who keeps saying that
simon376
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:45 PM
Comment #32Thanks for the thread Neil. Know exactly what you are going through unfortunately, sure things will feel almost normal at some point.
At least we have a new season to look forward to and a great new start and challenge for the team
snowdone
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Comment #33Thank you, Neil, for the post and I hope fellow toon fans will try to be more civil to each other. I’m happy for Ritchie, a great servant to our club and violator of corner flags! Let’s hope for some more transfer news soon!
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:46 PM
Comment #34Mund – im off to the Spurs game if yer going. Will meet yer on the train like the last time…
check the toastie
Aug 7, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Comment #35Snowdone – would be nice eh. Save the chew for discord is what i say. Keep this place civil.
magicmac54
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:01 PM
Comment #36Check The
Toastie
I can`t make it for the Southampton game mate, but with luck i`ll get the opportunity to meet you for a few pints this season as i missed you at the last blog meet marra.
IrishRob
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:05 PM
Comment #37Wow!!!! Never expected to hear from Neil again except in October in the comments section to ssy goodbye or something.
What a nice surprise, I hope ye are all doing as well as can be Neil.
onmeedsun
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:09 PM
Comment #38Would love to see Pompey playing us at SJP in the league cup so Ritchie can feel the love, as long as he’s not banging corner flags.
Fat Basta*d
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:10 PM
Comment #39https://x.com/StevePatten/status/1821173280478220608
Fatty fenners 😀
Regan
Aug 7, 2024 at 10:11 PM
Comment #40Do1 vegan @29..
Was expecting a few hearts for you there..
I’m sure they’ll come eventually..
😆