On that day, there were just seven players named on the matchday programme, as Michael Appleton was dealt with the challenging task of rebuilding his side while the club was on the brink of liquidation.
After a 1-0 win to Aldershot in the Blues’ first pre-season friendly in 2012, Appleton fielded an unrecognisable team who came out triumphant against the Trotters - defeating Owen Coyle’s side 3-0 at Fratton Park.
Among many of those who started were triallists, there were seven registered names in Pompey’s line-up.
Here’s are those players – and where they are now.
5. Ashley Harris
Harris was another youngster to graduate from Pompey’s academy and totalled 35 appearances during his Blues career. Michael Appleton granted the 18-year-old his debut in March 2012 and scored three times in the 2012-13 campaign. Having been released in 2014, the striker went on to play for Gosport, Horndean and Moneyfields before a move to AFC Portchester last summer. Photo: Allan Hutchings
6. Jed Wallace
The ex-Pompey favourite is currently a man in-demand with interest from West Brom, Leeds and Turkish side Besiktas. The Millwall man is set to become a free agent next month after his five year stay at the Den looks to come to an end. He scored 39 times in 225 appearances for the Lions following his 2017 switch from Wolves. During his career at Pompey, the 28-year-old amassed 121 outings, while netting 27 times as well as being awarded the player of the season in his final campaign for the Blues. Photo: Joe Pepler
7. Dan Thompson
Despite appearing in the friendly, the forgotten centre-forward played just one competitive game for Pompey during his 18-month stay at Fratton Park. His only outing came in the 3-0 League Cup defeat to Plymouth and would amass three separate loan spells during his time with the Blues. The 27-year-old has since flitted around non-league with spells at Hampton and Richmond, Bognor, Burgess Hill, Tonbridge, Braintree, Dulwich, Kingstonian, East Grinstead and Margate. The forward currently finds himself at Isthmian League South East Division side Whitehawk. Photo: Allan Hutchings