Knight's greatness about more than just numbers

It's tempting to start with the statistics. They are incredible. They may never be repeated at any club let alone at Portsmouth. It was a remarkable playing career.

But the numbers can't tell you about the greatness of the man. The kindness. The willingness to help others. The time he had for absolutely everyone. The desire to help strangers.

When Alan Knight told you to speak to him if there was anything he could do to help, he really meant it.

He battled his own demons. Overcoming alcohol addiction and depression is an impressive feat. He never wanted to hide away from his struggles. He was keen to tell his story to help anyone who might be going through a similar challenge.

His desire to go public with his prostate cancer diagnosis was to try to help others. The charity football match at Fratton Park raised nearly £40,000. It's likely his words have saved countless lives.

I first met him as a young non-league reporter when he was manager of Dorchester Town. He was unfailingly polite and friendly to me. He was an understated manager who was loved by the players and had good success, only stepping down due to other work commitments.

He was always on the end of the phone, keen to chat and happy to help. It is incredibly sad to know I won't ever see him popping into the press room at Fratton Park again, making me chuckle with his dry sense of humour.

He always had such a warm presence. When you talked about his playing career, he was happier reminiscing the rare mistakes he made as opposed to the countless excellent performances.

Those numbers, though. He was the Portsmouth goalkeeper almost a decade before I was born and still there as I entered my teenage years - 801 appearances for the club, the most by a goalkeeper at a single English club.

He appeared for Pompey in four different decades. He had staggering longevity.

Portsmouth Football Club have lost one of their greatest ever servants. The City of Portsmouth has lost a great ambassador. But my thoughts this week are most of all with his family who have lost someone very, very special.