Bishop congratulates Portsmouth FC on reaching FA Cup final

The Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth has congratulated Pompey players for reaching the FA Cup final.

The Rt Rev Kenneth Stevenson has sent a message to the manager, players and support staff at Portsmouth Football Club, assuring them of his prayers on their big day at Wembley on Saturday.

He has promised he will wear blue in the pulpit on Sunday morning if Pompey beat Cardiff and win the FA Cup for the first time since 1939. He will be at St Mary's Church in Fratton Road for Sunday worship, not far from Pompey's spiritual home in Fratton Park.

He has promised that the collection taken that day will go to the Tom Prince Cancer Trust, which was created in memory of 15-year-old Pompey season ticket holder Tom Prince, who died of cancer in 2004.

Since the bishop was himself diagnosed with leukaemia in September 2005, cancer charities have held a special significance for him. His latest biopsy, however, gave him the all-clear.

His message reads: "To the manager, players and support staff at Portsmouth FC. I have been eagerly following your progress all season towards the Cup Final on Saturday.

"You have done yourselves really proud, and you have also done so much to lift the spirits of Portsmouth city and all Pompey fans.

"Getting to the final is a fantastic achievement - the dream of a lifetime even for many professional clubs and players. I wish you every bit of luck for the match, and assure you of my thoughts and prayers for the big day. With my very best wishes to you all."