Football Chaplaincy
Being a football fan involves plenty of highs and lows for fans, players and support staff.
The Rev Andy Wilson and the Rev Jonathan Jeffery serve as chaplains to Havant and Waterlooville Football Club and Portsmouth Football Club respectively, offering pastoral and spiritual support to those of all faiths and none.
You can find out a bit more about their roles and how to contact them below:
Havant and Waterlooville Football Club
The Rev Andy Wilson is chaplain for Havant and Waterlooville Football Club.
The position involves offering pastoral and spiritual support to people of all faiths and those of no faith. Andy will offer advice in a sensitive, non-judgmental way to players, staff and fellow supporters.
Andy has been a football fan since he was a child. He has supported Havant and Waterlooville since moving to the area and becoming vicar in 2007.
Andy said: “I am there to support those with a Christian faith, but I am also there to listen and offer support to anyone at the club who wants it.”
GET IN TOUCH
T: 023 9237 5360
E: email
Visit the club’s website
Portsmouth Womens Football Club
Since 2021 Debs Smart has been chaplain to Portsmouth Womens Football Club, serving both players and staff. As a chaplain, under the umbrella of Sports Chaplaincy UK and in a volunteer capacity, she is there to offer both pastoral and spiritual support to those who would like it, whether of faith or not.
“I feel very privileged to be able to serve in this way,” says Debs. “Professional players and staff seem always to be judged by both results and standards. As a Christian, I get to remind them that they are valued as people, not just for their job or performance; and often, when results don't go the way we would like, this is increasingly important. I get to attend all the Home games, the occasional Away game, and attend training at least once a week. Here I ‘loiter with intent’ and seek to build relationships with those at the club, offering hope and friendship.”
Debs has been able to pray with and for players and staff, as well as answering questions about faith, seeking always to point to Jesus.
GET IN TOUCH
E: email
Visit the club’s website
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