And the Premier League star has pinpointed Mason Mount as a typical example of the resolve and strength of character he feels the city breeds into its players. Ritchie is operating at the highest level with Newcastle, after the Gosport lad spent 16 years at Fratton Park from the age of five. The 30-year-old continues to make the sacrifices and show the single-mindedness and dedication which was hallmark of his emergence at PO4. And they are qualities he can also see in the Chelsea man, along with an inner fire which makes Mount stand apart from the rest. It’s proving a halcyon period for local talent, with the pair forming part of a sizable group making their name in the game’s upper echelons. Emsworth’s Joel Ward is with top-flight Crystal Palace, Port Solent’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Liverpool, Farlington’s James Ward-Prowse at Southampton, while Brighton’s Adam Webster hails from West Wittering. In the Championship, Reading’s John Swift comes from Gosport, his team-mate Andy Rinomhota emerged at AFC Portchester, while Cardiff’s Marlon Pack is from Buckland. Ritchie believes it’s no coincidence so many players have come through and shown qualities he feels are associated with the city they emerged from. He said: ‘I’ve turned 30 but I still feel like I’m 21 or 22. ‘My mentality is that I’m always trying to go to the next level and achieve. ‘I’ve still go the same fight and desire I had when I was that age and since I was really young really. ‘I think being a Portsmouth boy we all have that. ‘I watch players from the area perform now and they are all the same. ‘I watch Mason Mount and it’s a real pleasure to watch him knowing he’s come from the Portsmouth area. ‘He’s got that grit and that bit of, not nasty streak, but he’ll win at all costs. ‘That’s the way he plays and he shows that on the pitch. ‘I’d like to think I’ve got a bit of that as well, being from the area we’re from and the people we’ve grew up with. I think that’s what give you that. ‘So it’s really pleasing to see other people from around here doing really well. ‘I really enjoy watching Mason Mount, he’s a top, top player. ‘Hopefully he keeps that desire and mentality I can see he’s got. ‘I don’t know him personally, but I can see he’s got a real good mentality. ‘For someone like Frank Lampard to believe in him, like he quite clearly does, shows he’s got talent and the right attributes.’ There’s frustration from Pompey fans Ritchie was never given a chance at his hometown pro club and, like Pack, had to seek first-team action away from Fratton Park. But from the player himself there’s a sense of pride that they, along with Ward, have gone on to have fine careers in the game after growing up together. Ritchie added: ‘The group I came through with there were people like myself, Wardy and Marlon Pack who’ve gone on to have really good careers. ‘I speak to both of those lads now and then and it’s pleasing to see because I’ve grown up with these lads. ‘Mars is a year younger than us, but me, Mars and Wardy have played together for many, many years. ‘From the age of five to 21, we were together four or five times a week. ‘So, yes, it’s so pleasing to see people you grew up with, train and work with succeed as well.’