What does the cryptic crossword clue "Football team left with final message (4,4)" mean?

The definition is "Football team". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). PORT (synonym="”left” on a ship") + VALE (synonym="farewell=”final message”") = PORTVALE; definition: "Football team" The answer is PORTVALE.

Football team left with final message (4,4)

Guardian Cryptic #29114 | 6 Down | 2023-07-05 flower

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