FOR many people a tattoo can be a painful experience.

But for Portsmouth fan James Sullivan he said his latest inking was definitely his most painful – for very different reasons.

He is now the owner of a Southampton FC scarf motif inked underneath his Pompey crest in a bid to raise money for charity.

As reported, the 29-year-old, from Havant, was goaded into the stunt by Saints fans on Facebook.

His actions will benefit Cancer Research UK and the wards which treated his friend’s two-year-old daughter Lola-Mai Burns for kidney cancer and has already raised £400.

James, a father-of-two, said family and friends have got right behind him, but some people where he lives having read the story had told him he should not go through with it.

However, he was undeterred and went under the needle for 45 minutes at Havant Ink.

“It was probably more painful in another sense because of what it is in comparison to what I’ve already got and also the reaction I’m getting from people,” he said.

“That’s probably more painful than the tattoo itself.”

As a builder, James helped convert Saints’ former ground at The Dell into housing in the early 2000s and said he was treated well as the only Pompey fan on site.

Currently employed on a building site right next to Portsmouth’s stadium Fratton Park, James said he was dreading going to work particularly as he will be working alongside a group of largely Saints fans.

But James, who has been a Pompey fan for around 20 years, said he had no regrets.

“I’ve never had a tattoo without it meaning something,” he added.

“This is another one to have a strong meaning or a good story.

“Family and friends were all for it but some of them were saying you won’t get it done.

“But as soon as that first pound got donated I said that’s it, I have got to get it done.”

James said he is not sure whether he will keep the tattoo for the rest of his life, but said it would depend largely on others’ reaction.

Cancer Research donations are still open at justgiving.com/James-Sullivan2016.

You can also donate to James’ efforts by visiting justgiving.com/James-Sullivan12 or justgiving.com/James-Sullivan13.