Nine months on and the latest crop of Fratton Park youngsters did their futures no harm with an impressive victory over AFC Stoneham in the third round of the Hampshire Senior Cup on Wednesday evening.
But how exactly have those who now call PO4 their former home been getting on?
We took a quick look to find out.
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5. Charlie Bell - Bognor
The 19-year-old made three appearances for Pompey last term, all of which came in the Papa John’s Trophy. After leaving Pompey, he had unsuccessful trials at Premier League side’s Brighton and West Ham and has since ended up at Bognor. This season, the midfielder has played 32 times for the Rocks as well as netting on four occasions. Photo: Nigel Keene
6. Tom Bruce - Unattached
The central defender was released following the expiration of his three-year scholarship. He failed to make a first team outing for Pompey and has since failed to find a club. Photo: Keith Woodland
7. Harrison Brook - Bognor
The right midfielder rejected a new contract at Pompey in the summer and opted to further his development elsewhere. After an unsuccessful trial at Southampton, the 19-year-old put pen to paper at Bognor and has flourished this season for the Rocks. He has found the net on a number of occasions this term and was most recently on the scoresheet in a 2-0 win over Brightlingsea Regent last weekend. Photo: Robin Jones
8. Harry Anderson - Portadown
The striker spent two years at Fratton Park after impressing as a youngster at Portadown, before returning back to Shamrock Park in the summer. The 19-year-old has primarily featured in the Reds' academy this season but has impressed and was called up to the Northern Ireland under-21s squad last November. Photo: Portadown FC