Football record-breaker dubbed ‘The Legend’ dies as ‘devastated’ membership pay loving tribute

Tributes have been paid to a record-breaking goalkeeper known as ‘The Legend’ following his tragic death with his ‘devastated’ former club issuing a heartfelt tribute

Tributes have been paid to former England youth star Alan Knight following the record-breaking goalkeeper’s sad death at the age of 65.

Knight played at U21 level for England and is a true club legend at Portsmouth, where he played 801 times in all competitions across 22 years. His total number of appearances is a record for the most games played for a single club by a goalkeeper.

Portsmouth announced Knight’s death this morning after passing away surrounded by his close family following a battle with prostate cancer. An emotional statement said: “Portsmouth Football Club are devastated to announce the passing of Alan Knight at the age of 65, surrounded by his close family.

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“The Pompey legend – who served the club as a goalkeeper, coach and ambassador – passed away this morning following a battle with prostate cancer.

“He bravely went public with his diagnosis in October 2024 to raise awareness of the disease and encourage others to get tested if they spot symptoms.

“London-born Knight joined Pompey as an apprentice when he was a teenager and made his debut at the age of just 16, keeping a clean sheet in a victory at Rotherham on the final day of the 1977/78 campaign. He went on to represent the club with distinction, playing in all four professional divisions of the English games across four different decades.

“There were three promotion-winning campaigns, including a Division Three title success and, perhaps most memorably, the return to top-flight football for the first time in 28 years in 1986/87.

“He was also a key part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup during the 1991/92 campaign, taking the mighty Liverpool to a replay before bowing out on penalties.

“Capped by England at under-21 level, Knight played a total of 801 games for the Blues – second only to the great Jimmy Dickinson in terms of appearances for the club. His 801st and final outing came, at the age of 38, in a Division One contest with Norwich at Carrow Road in January 2000.

“Following a brief spell with non-league side Havant & Waterlooville, he returned to Fratton Park in a coaching capacity. And with Pompey missing a few keepers due to injury, he was asked to sit on the bench by Harry Redknapp for a Premier League match at Aston Villa in January 2004.

“By this time he had already been awarded an MBE for services to football, holding the record for most appearances by a goalkeeper for a single club.

“He later headed to America to work under former Blues teammate Colin Clarke at FC Dallas, while later coaching roles included stints as manager of Horndean and Dorchester.

“A welcome return to Fratton Park to work with the goalkeepers occurred in 2013 before he was appointed club ambassador later in the year. Knight was particularly proud of his work with academy players, using his own battles with addiction to discuss the importance of mental health.

“Following his diagnosis, a match was held at Fratton Park in May 2025, with an Alan Knight XI drawing 8-8 with a Pompey Legends side, helping to raise £40,000 for prostate cancer charities. Later that month, he was awarded the Freedom of the City during the mayor making event at the Portsmouth Guildhall.

“The word legend is often overused in football, but the fact that Alan was still known as ‘The Legend’ at Pompey more than 20 years after hanging up his gloves speaks volumes.

“He will be sadly missed by the Fratton faithful, teammates and all of us at the club who knew and loved him.

“Our thoughts are with Alan’s wife Heather, his daughters Jade and Rebekah, and all his family and friends at this incredibly sad time. Rest in peace, The Legend.”