And they all according to Fratton legend came within varying degrees of wearing royal blue – here’s the Pompey heroes that never were...
13. Clive Allen
Alan Ball was said to be looking at the striker early on in his Spurs career but the deal wasn't done and he went on to score 49 goals in a top-flight season | JPIMedia Photo: UGC
14. Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Harry Redknapp was close to getting Wright-Phillips on a couple of occasions, the last not too long before he left the club for Spurs | PA (Press Association) Photo: JPI
15. Javier Saviola
Pompey thought they had pulled off a sensational loan swoop for Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola in January 2009, but it fell through and he moved to Benfica instead. | PA (Press Association) Photo: CESAR RANGEL
16. Yaya Toure
During Tony Adams short reign as Pompey boss between 2008 and 2009, he had Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure in his sights but ended up with Hayden Mullins | Other 3rd Party Photo: Mike Egerton