Many of those whose careers brought them to Fratton Park have developed a life-long affection for the Blues and life on the south coast.
So here, in the words of 12 former players, is why Pompey holds so much affection for footballers who have proudly worn the shirt...
5. Gareth Evans
‘A part of me died when I left Fratton Park. I was of an age when I thought it’s not going to get any better than what I’ve just had. I’m not all of a sudden going to sign for a top Championship club - and if you’re not playing in the Championship then you aren’t getting any better than Pompey.
‘I knew joining Bradford was a massive step down, this was League Two, and within a week or two of being there it was pretty clear we weren't going to get any success.’
(Gareth Evans, November 2022) Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP Photo: Graham Hunt
6. Danny Rose
‘The season before my injury at Pompey, I remember thinking “This isn’t going to last forever” so decided to have a moment to take it all in before games.
‘You warm-up, return to the Fratton Park dressing room, come back out, do the hand shake with the opposition, with the crowd clapping in time with the music - and then I’d stop and savour it before kick-off.
‘I would look around at the fans, my family, my kids there watching me. I knew it wasn’t going to last forever.
‘At 29 was I going to play in the Championship? Probably not. Maybe, but it’s unlikely. So is it really going to get better than this?
‘At that moment, I couldn’t ask for any more. I was taking it in, soaking it up, being grateful for that moment, being in that environment at that moment. Fantastic.’
(Danny Rose, June 2022) Picture: Joe Pepler Photo: Joe Pepler
7. Hermann Hreidarsson
‘What makes Pompey special is the fans. The passion from the fans is second to none, they support you whatever. I was here for four years and all across the ride every game you know you have the backing of the supporters.
‘They are a different class.
‘I loved my time here, they were amazing years, it’s great to see old friends, I know the brilliant people around here. It’s great to be back.
‘The pinnacle of my career was the FA Cup win, having all those trips to Wembley and celebrating with the people of Portsmouth.’
(Hermann Hreidarsson, April 2023) Picture: Will Caddy Photo: Will Caddy
8. Gary Roberts
‘A load of us arrived at Fratton Park in the summer of 2015 with the challenge to get Pompey out of League Two and then win promotion again. We obviously didn’t have time to achieve all of that goal, yet were successful.
‘That League Two title-winning year was an absolute rollercoaster and I met some great people, while the family loved the area - it felt like my club.
‘I was only there two years, yet it seemed like 10 years considering the affiliation I developed with the place.
‘Earlier in my career, I was at Swindon for a season and couldn’t tell you one person’s name, but Pompey was different and represents my favourite club of all those I’ve appeared for.
‘It’s emotional thinking back about my time there. I’ll obviously never return as a player, but if I had the chance to go back in any other capacity I would jump at it. (Gary Roberts, Played Up Pompey Three, 2020) Picture: Harry Murphy/Getty Images Photo: Harry Murphy