It’s inevitably a painful process for the youngsters concerned, while, as ever in football, opinions can differ on whether they should be retained to remain part of the Blues’ future.
We’ve looked into those players who emerged from Pompey’s youth set-up only to be released, having barely featured for the first-team – yet subsequently bounced back to prove the club wrong.
This doesn’t take into account players released before graduation at the age 17-18 or those sold by the club.
5. Paul Musselwhite
A talented goalkeeper who came through Pompey's youth system and signed professional forms, yet there was no way past Alan Knight. Paul Musselwhite was released on a free transfer in March 1988 without an appearance, subsequently joining Scunthorpe. In a 25-year playing career, he represented 12 clubs, amassing 815 appearances, most notably at Port Vale. He is considered a legend with the Valiants, bought for £17,500 in July 1992 and playing 367 times over eight seasons. Picture: Alex Livesey/Allsport Photo: Alex Livesey
6. David Leworthy
Hailing from Hilsea, striker David Leworthy came through the Pompey ranks and made one first-team appearance - as a substitute against Newport County in October 1981. He was released and joined Fareham, where he was prolific, earning a £200,000 move to Spurs in 1984, making his debut in the North London derby against Arsenal. Leworthy went on to play for Oxford United, Shrewsbury and Reading in the Football League and then enjoyed successful scoring spells at Farnborough, Dover, Rushden, KIngstonian and the Hawks, who he would also manage. Photo: None
7. Brett Angell
Brett Angell came through Pompey's ranks as a central defender, without ever playing a match. However, after being released, he scored more than 200 career goals. Snapped up by Cheltenham in the summer of 1987, he was converted into a striker and finished the 1987-88 season as the Conference's leading scorer. That subsequently earned Angell a move to First Division Derby, although he never played. However, he would later feature for both Everton and Sunderland in the Premier League. A prolific career also included Stockport, Southend, West Brom, Walsall, Port Vale and QPR, while he totalled four promotions. Picture: Anton Want/Allsport Photo: Anton Want
8. Josh Flint
Boyhood Pompey fan Josh Flint joined Pompey at the age of eight, yet was told he would be released in the summer of 2019 upon graduating. However, invited back having missed the end of the season through injury, the Waterlooville midfielder earned an additional six months after impressing - and scored on his debut in a Leasing.com Trophy match against Norwich City Under-21s in September 2019. Eventually departing the Blues in January 200, he represented Bognor before joining Dutch side Volendam, being part of the side promoted to the Eredivisie last season. Nowadays a central defender, he has featured regularly in Holland's top flight this term, lining-up against the likes of Ajax. Picture: Joe Pepler Photo: Joe Pepler