It was an inauspicious start as Svetoslav Todorov was sent off in a 2-0 defeat at Preston in 2002, with little sign of the success which was to follow.
Now, two decades on, can you remember the players who made up that Blues squad at Deepdale? There may well be one or two who’ve slipped your mind…
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
You can support our local team of expert Pompey writers by subscribing here for all the latest news from Fratton Park for less than 25p per week.
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
![Left for Bournemouth in 2005 where he made over 200 appearances. Returned to Fratton for a spell in 2013 and now an under-21 coach with the Cherries.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI3YzRkZGNmLWRhZWYtNDkyNS04OWZmLWQ2YjU1ZTY5MTk1ZDo2MTcwNDZlZS0wNDY5LTQ1MmYtODM0Zi01OTgxZDZhZThiZTU=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
13. Shaun Cooper
Left for Bournemouth in 2005 where he made over 200 appearances. Returned to Fratton for a spell in 2013 and now an under-21 coach with the Cherries.Photo: Joe Pepler
![Turned out for Dundee, York and Hawks among others after leaving Pompey in 2004. Retired in 2016.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmI3ZDJlYzcxLWQ4NjgtNDA0OC1iZDg2LWM1NGQxZTQzMmM3Mzo1OTY2MTAzOS1lYjg5LTQ0YTEtYmM3Yi04MjNkNzg3Yjk3OWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
14. Neil Barrett
Turned out for Dundee, York and Hawks among others after leaving Pompey in 2004. Retired in 2016.Photo: The News
![Came to Pompey after being touted to join some of Europe's big guns when emerging at Chelsea including Barca and Monaco. Went to Oxford and on to likes of Boston and Cambridge. Now academy coach at Burton.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVmM2I2Y2VhLTYyZmEtNDhmNy05ZTA1LTU5NzM0Mjg0YTE0ZTo5MjU3YmViNC1hZjYzLTRhODctYWU2Mi1iNjIzN2ZiMGMwYTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
15. Courtney Pitt
Came to Pompey after being touted to join some of Europe's big guns when emerging at Chelsea including Barca and Monaco. Went to Oxford and on to likes of Boston and Cambridge. Now academy coach at Burton.Photo: Allan Hutchings
![Had a nomadic career after leaving Pompey in 2005 playing for a stack of clubs including Brentford, QPR, Birmingham and sides north of the border. Played non-league football until recently and last year admitted squandering £700,000 on gambling while playing.](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFmMzhmMzc1LWMwYjgtNDYyOC1iMDQ2LWQ2ZDk5MWRkOGI2NzplY2Y1NTk3ZC0xNzExLTQzNzItOTQ1Mi1jZDNlYzg1OWM2OGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
16. Rowan Vine
Had a nomadic career after leaving Pompey in 2005 playing for a stack of clubs including Brentford, QPR, Birmingham and sides north of the border. Played non-league football until recently and last year admitted squandering £700,000 on gambling while playing.Photo: SCC