Former Portsmouth striker Brett Pitman has signed for Wessex Premier Division side Baffins Milton Rovers.
A well-know name within the Football League, Pitman has had a number of successful stints with a whole host of EFL sides, making over 500 appearances in the process. With 83 goals in League One, 52 in the Championship and 47 in League Two, the now-36-year-old was one of the most prolific strikers during the 2010s.
He’d begin his career in the youth set-up at at Bournemouth, and it would be on the South Coast where he’d establish his name. A big money move to Bristol City in 2010 didn’t totally work out despite the striker scoring 13 goals in the Championship during his first season with the Robins.
He’d return to Bournemouth for a couple more seasons before joining Ipswich Town and then Portsmouth. It would be with Pompey during the 2017/18 season where he’d have one of his most prolific seasons in front of goal, scoring 24 times in just 38 League One appearances a record that would only be eclipsed by then Peterborough United star Jack Marriott.
After leaving Pompey, he’d go onto the likes of Swindon Town and Bristol Rovers before most recently plying his trade for Shaftesbury, scoring over 50 times for the Rockies. Despite now being 36, Pitman still has an incredible eye for goal and will be expected to have quite the impact for Baffins Milton Rovers, who play in the ninth tier of English football
Speaking to the club’s official website, manager Danny Thompson said:
“The opportunity to sign a player of Brett’s quality and experience shows the intent and aspirations we have at Baffins this season.
“Brett’s goalscoring record will be a massive help to our squad – at whatever level he’s played at, he’s scored plenty of goals – and we’re hoping he will continue this with us next season.”
Writer’s View
Pitman grabbed the headlines once again last season after scoring seven times in a single game for Shaftesbury and is still a handful in front of goal. He could still play far higher up the pyramid but has often cited for work reasons, he is happy at the level now.
He’s somewhat of a cult hero at Fratton Park due to his goalscoring exploits during the 2017/18 season and would’ve gone down in the history books had he helped them into the Championship.
After a 12-season hiatus from the second tier, Portsmouth will finally be back in the Championship and there is plenty of hope amongst the fanbase for next term due to the project under John Mousinho.
Senior Editor
