Isle of Wight teenager signs apprenticeship forms for beloved Pompey

The 17 year old goalkeeper, who grew up and has always lived out in the sticks of the West Wight, has a burning ambition to make it between the sticks for Portsmouth professionally.

Leon Pitman signing apprenticeship forms for Pompey, with, from left, his proud mum, Anita, dad Neil and sister Thea.

Leon, who signed a two-year apprenticeship deal last Thursday, said: “I always wanted to play in goal and now I have the opportunity to play for such a great club like Pompey.

“There’s still a lot of hard work to be done, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Leon, a Portsmouth season ticket holder, began his interest in football at West Wight FC in its under-eights team, under manager, Dave Rice, who helped Leon develop his emerging passion for goalkeeping over the six years he spent with the club.

Leon Pitman, in grey goalkeeper jersey, played for the West Wight Youth under-tens back in 2011.

It was during that period Leon was inspired by watching his hero, former England stopper, David James, play in the 2010 FA Cup Final at Wembley.

The goalkeeping bug grew and by the age of 13 Leon, who attended Carisbrooke College, began attending weekly training with the Wayne Brown Goalkeeping Academy in Eastleigh.

Six months after he joined, Leon was asked to play against Pompey in a friendly.

Leon Pitman, front row, far right, with fellow apprentices and staff at Portsmouth Football Club.

On that day he was invited to join the blues’ development programme, from which he was offered his first contract at under-14 level.

Leon attended the former Weston Primary and Carisbrooke College, which has always supported his footballing ambitions — making him a school sports ambassador and approving his day release programme at Portsmouth, which he has been involved with the past two years.