New permanent Blues boss Andy Awford says the 'Pompey Spirit' can carry the club to a new era of success - but has warned there is a lot of hard work ahead.

The worst kept secret in Portsmouth was confirmed when the caretaker boss was given the job of manager on Thursday morning.

He told the club website: 'It is with huge pride that I am delighted to accept the board’s offer to be the new manager of Portsmouth Football Club. I have accepted the offer as I feel the club is, after a year of laying strong financial foundations, now in a position to look ahead, move forward, go from strength to strength and achieve the stability it craves.

'I genuinely believe that the club is now ready to progress and the opportunity to lead it is a challenge that I relish and am absolutely committed to. The rebuild won't be quick and simple, as unfortunately we are still hindered by the recent past, but the board have assured me that brick-by-brick, day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year, we will continue the good work that has been done this season and build a football club that we can all be very proud of for years to come.

'In my opinion, the only way we can achieve this is by all of us — the board, the staff, the players, the fans, the city — being united and maintaining the 'Pompey Spirit' that I know is unbreakable. The city must smile and when Pompey is happy this city most definitely smiles.

'The opportunity to manage this football club is one I am extremely grateful for and it allows me to achieve another personal football ambition. I am honoured, excited and thrilled to be given the job and look forward to us all working together for the good of Portsmouth Football Club.

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