Portsmouth FC have issued a warning to local grassroots football clubs about a man attending local football games impersonating a Portsmouth FC academy scout.
The actions of this man – who is in his 60s and calls himself ‘Howard Denton’ – has caused concern among parents, who reported his behaviour to the football club.
The man has displayed a Portsmouth FC staff ID card when approaching parents and coaches. However, Portsmouth FC Academy does not employ anyone bearing this name.
If anyone has doubts about a person claiming to be a Portsmouth Academy scout, they are advised to contact Jason Ngandu (Head of Youth Scouting at Portsmouth FC).
Portsmouth FC have sent the following warning to local clubs:
“I would like to bring to your attention that we have recently been contacted by parents about a man impersonating themselves as a ‘Portsmouth FC academy scout’ and former ‘Portsmouth FC academy coach’.
The man has been appearing at grassroots games wearing ‘Portsmouth FC kit’ and is displaying a ‘Portsmouth FC staff ID card’ when approaching parents and coaches. He presents himself with the name ‘Howard Denton’ and is described to be in his 60s.
“I would like to confirm that Portsmouth FC academy does not employ any person with the name ‘Howard Denton’ nor have any connections with the impersonator. We are treating this as a serious safeguarding incident, but we are providing this information as a warning to grassroots clubs as the impersonator may plan to visit your clubs soon. Under no circumstances should people be presenting themselves as Portsmouth FC employees when they are not.
Article continues below this advertisement “Portsmouth FC academy scouts are expected to wear Portsmouth FC kit and present their PFC scout ID card when attending games. However, Portsmouth FC academy scouts are clearly instructed to never promise or guarantee trials to players. Coaches of grassroots clubs should always be approached first by Portsmouth FC scouts if there is interest in a player, and permission must be granted by the coaches/club if the scout wishes to speak to the parent.
“The following scouts are the only 3 members of Portsmouth FC’s academy recruitment department responsible for trial invitations to PFC academy:
Jason Ngandu
Edrissa Sallah
Larry Clay“If your club, or a parent at your club, is promised a trial by someone whose name is not on the list above, we strongly advise to not engage in any further conversation or share any personal details with them.
“The safety of all of young children is paramount to Portsmouth FC, therefore we have reported the incident to the FA, but I also encourage you to get in contact with the club if you have any doubts about a person claiming to be a Portsmouth FC academy scout or if your club may (or already have) come across the impersonator that we have described.”
Normally it’s a some strange bloke in a Southampton shirt that approaches children