'so grateful'
Portsmouth star Colby Bishop scores just minutes into comeback following open heart surgery
Bishop paid a heartfelt tribute to the fans for giving him a special welcome back
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COLBY BISHOP was given a hero's welcome at Portsmouth as he scored just minutes into his return after major surgery.
Bishop, 28, was diagnosed with a heart problem in June before undergoing open heart surgery in August.
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After months on the sideline as he recovered, the forward was finally able to make his return in Portsmouth's Championship clash with Preston on Saturday.
Bishop was a shock inclusion on the bench for John Mousinho's side.
He was able to get his first minutes of the season when he was brought on in the 78th minute for Kusini Yengi with Pompey 2-1 ahead.
And when Portsmouth won a penalty in the 89th minute, Bishop was then able to mark his emotional comeback with a goal as he netted the home side's third goal of the afternoon.
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The penalty sealed a 3-1 win that lifted Portsmouth off the bottom of the table.
Bishop paid tribute to the fans after the game for their warm welcome, declaring that they made him feel "so special".
He told : "I am so grateful to the fans, they make you feel so special.
"I have thought about these moments for the whole 3-4 months, getting that reception. I’m hoping there are quite a few videos, because I would like to watch it back.
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"Even when I was scoring in the warm-up, they were standing up singing.
"I have a very special connection with the fans here and through the whole three months when people have seen me, they’ve been so nice to me.
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"They’ve not once asked 'When are you back?' or anything like that.
"It has always been 'Are you okay? Is your family okay?'. That shows how much the people of Portsmouth care.
"I know football is obviously the main thing, but they also care about you. I have a special connection with them and again I am grateful for that."
Bishop signed for the South Coast club from Accrington in 2022.
He scored 24 goals in his debut season before adding another 21 to his tally in his second year.
On the reaction the fans gave him as they applauded him on to the pitch, Bishop added: "It gave me shivers down my back, it was loud, very loud.
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"I had asked my partner to video it, I cannot wait to watch it.
"It’s one of those you would like to look back on in the future."
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