Clubs played for: Preston North End, Port Vale, Grimsby Town, Portsmouth,Durban United (1955-1969)
Born: 1937
Birthplace: Salford, Greater Manchester
Position: Winger/Inside-forward
Biography: Born in Salford, Cliff Portwood was an apprentice at Preston and acted as Tom Finney's understudy as progressed towards first team football. Having established himself as a lethal goalscorer in his own right during spells with Bury, George Smith paid £4,000 to bring him south. He was top scorer in 1964/5 and bagged two goals in Pompey's first ever game shown on BBC's Match of the Day programme. In 1969 he decided to moved over to South Africa rather than play in the lower divisions in England. It was here that he won a talent contest that entitled him to a recording contract in Australia. Portwood moved to Melbourne and embarked on what would prove to be a successful new career as a singer. Sales of his songs earned him Gold Discs and regular TV appearances until he returned to England in the 1980's. Ran the 'Gentleman Jim' in Alton before jetting off again, this time to America. A lung condition forced him to give up his singing career in Florida and he now lives back in Farnham.
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