Introduction
The Pompey Anorak Brigade (PAB) is the name of an internet based email mailing list for Portsmouth Football Club. Founded in 1997, it now boasts around 700 members and is considered to be a supporters club as listed on the Portsmouth FC homepage. Members of the "PAB" discuss a wide range of topics, including the goings on at Portsmouth FC, along with a wide range of other topics including music, politics, television and other more esoteric subjects. The unfiltered/unmoderated structure of the PAB has lead to it being referred to often as a "Virtual Pub". The mailing list structure, although somewhat out of date in the Web 2.0 age, tends to filter out trolls that often frequent web based message forums.
History
Founded approximately February 1997 by its cryptically named "Lord High Anorak", the PAB has continuously operated since that time. At the time of its founding there was little online presence of Pompey Fans, so the PAB provided an immediately popular forum for fans with email. The knowledge of the mailing list's existence was first announced using a previous list set up to provide match reports through email, after this knowledge of its existence spread mainly by word of mouth, and through the various Portsmouth FC related websites that were appearing around the time.
Since its inception the PAB has had many changes in its location online. Originally the list was hosted at The University of Birmingham, although the hoster did not do this with the permission of the University, prompting it to be moved. After a brief spell on several websites, the mailing list found a home on Esosoft as a Majordomo (software) based mailing list. After Esosoft discontinued providing mailing lists, the service the moved to Topica briefly, then to eGroups in December 2000 (which later changed into Yahoo! Groups after Yahoo! bought eGroups).
The origin of the name "Pompey Anorak Brigade" can be traced back to suggestions by members early on in list's life. At the time people were asked to come up with alternate names for the rather prosaically titled "Pompey Mailing List". The name "Pompey Anorak Brigade" comes from the fact that it is a collection (i.e. brigade) of members who are Internet anoraks and fans of Pompey (the nickname for Portsmouth FC). The name is essentially self-deprecating, showing that its members don't take themselves too seriously. One other name suggestion that was thankfully rejected was "The Porno Hat Brigade" (the reason behind this name is forgotten, but it had something to do with Viking helmets and tall Swedish strikers).
Posting levels
Posting to the PAB tends to vary around the year, significantly dropping off during the summer when Football is not being played. The PAB sees around 1500-4000 posts per month from its members. Posts to the list have dropped off in the past 5 years, as one would expect as the PAB faces competition from other online forums, however despite the competition the PAB still regularly gets over 2000 posts per month, driven largely by a loyal membership. Current membership level is listed at 696 members (as of July 26th, 2007).
Current hosting
The Pompey Anorak Brigade is currently hosted by Yahoo! Groups and membership is open to all. Currently the pompey.org page redirects to Yahoo Groups although in the past there has been a separate homepage.
Offline
PAB members often meet before and after Pompey games. Meet ups are pre-arranged on list at selected fan friendly pubs before the game. A large element share an enthusiasm for real ale, although beards and sandals are strictly optional and for home games PAB members can be mainly found in the Artillery Arms, Hester Rd, Portsmouth, which by happy coincidence of initials is also known as the Anorak Arms. Members have also formed an "Anorak Enclosure" in the ground, by purchasing season tickets next to each other in the Fratton End stand of Fratton Park.
Famous members
In the past the PAB has had some famous and not so famous members.
Brian Howe, local boy and former singer with Bad Company, with his American Millionaire associate Vince Wolanin, announced their intention to buy out Portmouth FC when it went into financial administration in late 1998. Brian at the time posted details of the attempted buy out on the mailing list, including some often extremely cryptic messages alluding to the deal. The Howe/Wolanin bid however was eventually unsuccessful, and Portsmouth FC was purchased by Milan Mandaric.
Anthony Minghella, the Oscar winning director of Cold Mountain and The English Patient, and noted Pompey fan, is a member of the PAB. Anthony's brother Dominic Minghella is also an active lister. Dominic is a writer and creator of TV shows such as the BBC's Robin Hood and Doc Martin.