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 people, is why Pompey holds so much affection for those who have spent time on the south coast...
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 suddenly 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. I’m really proud of what I achieved at Pompey over more than five years at the club, scoring in six seasons on the bounce, playing 218 times and walking away with trophies and accolades. I never wanted it to end, but my hand was forced. It was the favourite time of my career, I loved it. (Gareth Evans, Played Up Pompey Four, 2024) Photo: Graham Hunt
6. Sol Campbell
Certain clubs in the Premier League are historically big with big budgets, so everyone saw Pompey as a step down for me - it turned out it wasn’t. I won the FA Cup for a fourth time, regained my England place and played in the Premier League for another three seasons there. Football’s all about passion – and I loved that passion at Pompey. Such a fantastic club. It was a fresh beginning for me after Arsenal, but also reconnected me with football, with people, with players, with supporters. (Sol Campbell, Played Up Pompey Four, 2024) Photo: Joe Pepler
7. Kit Symons
Terry Fenwick probably wanted me out more than I wanted to go, because I loved Pompey, it’s one of those cities that’s brilliant if you play it right. I knew so many fans, businessmen, the CID and old Bill, the 657 lads, it’s a city, but also a village, and, if you’re decent with people, it’s the best place to be. However, if you take liberties or don’t show people the right respect then they don’t suffer fools either - Gerry Creaney found this out the hard way. (Kit Symons, Played Up Pompey Four, 2024) Photo: Steve Morton
8. Paul Wood
I loved it in that team, absolutely loved it. I would imagine every Pompey player at the time felt the same. I thought every side was like that, yet only when I left did I realise they definitely weren’t. They used to call Wimbledon the Crazy Gang, but Pompey were the real Crazy Gang. They were absolute nutcases in that team. I look at the team picture now and that’s the one I’d like to turn the clock back and play with again, it was amazing. I would love to see those faces again, to be with those lads, that time was special. Very, very special. (Paul Wood, The News, March 2024) Photo: Unknown