It’s traditionally a time of the year when clubs up and down the country welcome a few unfamiliar faces into their ranks as they look to land themselves a bargain.
Last season, Josh Martin’s time at the club without a contract earned him a short-term Fratton Park deal and a League One winner’s medal, to boot! But for every Martin, there’s a Lloyd Sam who is deemed not up to task and allowed to leave without even a chat about an extended stay.
With that said, here’s 29 triallists Pompey have had down through the years that can be catagorised as either a success of a failure.
25. Celestine Babayaro
Former Newcastle and Chelsea defender had a stint on trial with Pompey in 2008. | The News
26. Ruben Sammut
Trained with Pompey in 2018 but there was no deal and surprisingly retired from professional football two years ago after a spell at Sunderland. His last club was Dulwich Hamlet. | The News
27. Josh Martin
The winger moved to the area last summer after leaving Norwich and asked to train with the club. That worked out well has his short-term deal was extended to the end of the season - enabling to feature eight times for the Blues during their League One title success. | National World
28. Jocelyn Blanchard
Came on trial in 2003 but was convinced by coach Joachim Low to sign for Austria Vienna. | The News