Paul Cook’s men were in the midst of a flying finish to their League Two season, which would produce 10 wins and a draw from 12 games – culminating in their unforgettable final-day title win.
But where are the heroes of 2017 today? Their careers have taken very varied paths, but we’ve done our homework to unearth the whereabouts of every player who was named in a squad during that amazing sequence of successes.
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9. Kal Naismith
The Scot was Pompey’s top scorer in the title-winning 2016-17 campaign. He joined Wigan a year later before linking up at Luton where he is currently making waves in the Championship as a central defender. Photo: Joe Pepler
10. Kyle Bennett
Across 117 appearances at Fratton Park, the winger scored 13 goals but again fell out of favour with new manager Kenny Jackett and left PO4 in January 2018. Bennett spent 18 months at Bristol Rovers which also included a loan spell at Swindon. The 31-year-old was a part of the squad relegated at Grimsby's and was released in the summer where he now plays for National League North side AFC Telford. Photo: Harry Murphy
11. Gareth Evans
Evans was a fans favourite at Pompey and played 218 times for the Blues - scoring 28 times during that period. He returned to Bradford later that summer and has been given a new lease of life under new boss Mark Hughes after being consigned to spending the majority of the current season on the bench under Derek Adams. Photo: Graham Hunt
12. Eoin Doyle
Didn't' work out for the Irishman at Pompey but made big waves at Bolton, helping them reach League One. Now operating for League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic. Photo: Joe Pepler