Express FM's punditry team for the new season has been confirmed with 2 new voices set to embark on covering the Blues on a regular basis.
Graham Butterworth and Danny Thompson have been announced as the lead pundits for Pompey Live and will proudly be bringing their pride, insight and passion for Portsmouth FC to the programme throughout the new season, which returns this Saturday (August 8th).
The new campaign begins with a 3pm kick-off at the London Stadium as Portsmouth travel to face West Ham United in the First Round of the Carabao Cup, with Pompey Live providing supporters with all the build-up, action and reaction from 2pm.
Pompey Live continues to bring supporters All The Unmissable Action from every Portsmouth FC men's game with comprehensive pre-match build-up, full match commentary and analysis throughout the afternoon or evening.
Andy Moon and Guy Whittingham will once again provide the full match commentary while Butterworth and Thompson will offer expert insight during the pre-match build-up, half-time analysis and post-match reaction.
Throughout the 2026/27 season, familiar voices will return to play a key part in the station’s coverage of the Blues. Whilst Jake, Graham and Danny make up the new regular trio for the majority of matches, you will still be treated to special guest appearances from favourites such as Henry Deacon, Kirsty Roxanne, James Wilson and David Howes, who all remain integral parts of the setup.
Express FM Content Manager, Harrison RB said: "We're delighted to welcome Graham and Danny to the Pompey Live team for what promises to be another exciting season. Both bring a wealth of knowledge, personality and passion for Pompey as we build on our legacy of giving supporters the passionate, comprehensive coverage they deserve - wherever they are following the Blues."
The programme will also aim to provide as much exclusive coverage of Pompey Women as possible throughout the campaign, ensuring supporters can stay up to date with the club's women's side.
The new season follows another hard-fought Championship campaign for Portsmouth. Pompey secured their second successive season of Championship football in April, confirming their survival despite a 5-1 defeat away at Coventry City.
That result, on Tuesday 21 April 2026, was enough to guarantee safety after Oxford United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham. The combination of results left Oxford unable to catch Pompey who held a seven-point advantage with just two matches remaining.
Portsmouth ultimately finished the 2025/26 Championship season in 18th place with 55 points, building on the foundations of the previous campaign and securing their place in the second tier for another season.
Now, attention turns to 2026/27 - and Pompey Live will be there from an hour before the very first whistle.
Presenter of Pompey Live and The Football Hour on Express FM, Jake Smith said: “I would firstly like to place on record my sincere gratitude to both Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson for their phenomenal contributions to Pompey Live during my first 2 seasons as the permanent host of the show between August 2024 and May 2026.
“The door will always remain open for them both and I am very much looking forward to welcoming them back when the time is right! I am extremely proud of how they both grew into their respective roles and I owe the pair a lot for helping me to steer the station’s coverage of the Blues back into the right direction. I genuinely couldn’t have done it without them. Thanks, ‘team’.
“Now though, it’s time for 2 more passionate Pompey fans to sit alongside me in the press box – Graham and Danny both have big boots to fill and I am more than confident that they will rise to the challenge and deliver the kind of passionate broadcast techniques that the Blues supporters and proud residents of Portsmouth deserve to be treated to when they tune in.
“The future is bright for Pompey Live and the energy that both of my new colleagues will bring to the panel is something I am personally excited to see/hear come across over the airwaves.”
New lead Pompey Live summariser, Graham Butterworth said: “Pompey has been a staple part of my life since I can remember. Portsmouth is way more than a club; it's the lifeblood of our city, it's a common thread that links us all and at such a divisive time, we need our club more than ever.
"We are in a wonderful era of Pompey football with steady growth, tier 2 football, wealthy (and fiscally sensible) owners and the best fans on the South Coast.
"I hope my input can do this programme justice - Pompey Live is a huge part of the Pompey football family. What a privilege to join the team."
New lead Pompey Live summariser, Danny Thompson said: “For me, to have this opportunity to work on the Pompey Live team and cover all the games home and away is an honour.
As a Blues fan to have this opportunity to watch and have an input on the game is something that I'm very much looking forward to and I cannot wait to get started this weekend - PLAY UP POMPEY!"
Don’t forget, you can also tune in to The Football Hour twice a week, every week on Portsmouth’s Express FM – Jake is joined by 2 Blues supporters every Monday and Friday evening (6-7pm) to review and preview the Pompey matches!
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