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Written by Mel Collins
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Play Up Pompey!
Over 200,000 fans lined the streets of Portsmouth to welcome home their victorious FA Cup winning team. The streets were crammed full of young and old wanting to share this historic moment in the south coast city.
Three open top buses travelled through the city carry players, staff, families and most importantly the Cup.
Manager Harry Redknapp told the crowds at Southsea Common: "It's fantastic. It means a lot to me. Thank you so much for turning out here today." The last time Portsmouth lifted the trophy was back in 1939 when they beat Wolves 4-1.
Portsmouth fan, Martin Cox of www.gigshot.co.uk was at Wembley and on the seafront to witness the teams home coming. He told IT “The experience at Wembley was amazing.
I don't think it matters how often one hears how impressive the stadium is, it's something else when you actually see it full to capacity and to see your team win the FA Cup.” “At the victory parade the bus took almost two hours to run from Fratton Park to Southsea Common. It could only move at walking pace and stopped often because the streets were full of people in the middle of the road cheering and waving flags. It was a day for everyone to celebrate.”
City council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said Sunday's parade was a wonderful occasion for the city and the team may now be granted the freedom of the city.
Mel Collins
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Sport 
