THE FOOTBALL League looked very different when a 12-year-old Matt Butcher caught the eye of an AFC Bournemouth scout.

His future employers were in the third tier of English football while Portsmouth were nearing the end of their Premier League stay.

Matt and his dad were North Stand regulars during the glory years so walking on to the Fratton pitch in a Yeovil shirt was a strange experience for the youngster, who played the full 90 minutes in their 3-1 defeat.

“I did get goosebumps just before walking on to the pitch,” said Matt. “It was quite surreal walking out and looking at where I used to sit but at the same time my emotions were toned down because I had to be focused.”

And while his affections towards Bournemouth are growing, he’s chuffed to bits that Pompey are going up.

“It’s a really good time to be a Pompey fan, isn’t it?” he said.