portsmouth F.C.

{{main|History of Portsmouth F.C.}}

{{For|information on a breakdown of Portsmouth's league and cup history|List of Portsmouth F.C. seasons}}

File:Pompey plaque in the High Street - geograph.org.uk - 2689323.jpg

File:Felton House, Old Portsmouth 2.jpg on the wall of 12 High Street, Old Portsmouth (Alderman John E. Pink's solicitors' office building) commemorates the founding on 5 April 1898.]]

Portsmouth F.C. were formed on 5 April 1898, at 12 High Street, Old Portsmouth, as "The Portsmouth Football and Athletic Company", with John Brickwood as chairman. Although the founding of Portsmouth F.C. had been agreed on 5 April 1898, a football ground or a team of players did not exist until 1899.

In 1899, work began on developing a plot of former agricultural land near Goldsmith Avenue, Milton, Portsmouth into a new football ground, bought in 1898 from the local Goldsmith farming family. The new football ground was to be named Fratton Park after the nearby and convenient Fratton railway station. Frank Brettell was announced as Portsmouth Football Club's first manager-secretary in February 1899.{{cite web|url=http://www.diandsaulbooks.co.uk/glory-gunners---the-history-of-royal-artillery-portsmouth-fc-by-kevin-smith-2264-p.asp|title=Glory Gunners – The History of Royal Artillery (Portsmouth) FC|website=Dian D Saul Books.co.uk|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828232102/https://www.diandsaulbooks.co.uk/glory-gunners---the-history-of-royal-artillery-portsmouth-fc-by-kevin-smith-2264-p.asp|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/how-pompey-were-formed-120-years-today-1-8445296 |title=How Pompey were formed 120 years today |publisher=The News Portsmouth |date=5 April 2018 |author=Neil Allen |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=6 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406040515/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/how-pompey-were-formed-120-years-today-1-8445296 |url-status=live }} A bold and ambitious application for Portsmouth's direct entry into the Southern League First Division, without the usual probationary period in the lower divisions, was accepted,{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/.../dev-redevfrattonprkpompeyvillapplication.pdf |title=Portsmouth application |publisher=portsmouth.gov.uk }} {{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and the club joined the Southern Football League Division One for the 1899–1900 season.

Portsmouth's first 1899–1900 season in the Southern Football League Division One was successful, with the club winning 20 out of 28 league matches, earning them the runner-up spot in the table behind champions, Tottenham Hotspur. In their second 1900–01 Southern Football League Division One season, Portsmouth finished in third place and joined the 1900–01 Western Football League, where they finished as Division One champions.{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/PORTSMOU.HTM |title=Portsmouth |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=1 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142523/http://www.fchd.info/PORTSMOU.HTM |url-status=live }} Portsmouth won the 1901–02 Southern Football League championship title but were not promoted. In the 1902–03 Western Football League, Portsmouth won the Division One championship for a third consecutive season.

In the 1906–07 Western Football League, the top Division One was split into equal 'A' and 'B' sections, with a play-off between the two section winners to decide a Division One champion. In their last Western Football League appearance, Portsmouth finished in fourth position of the 'B' section of Division One. At the end of the season, all fourteen members of the split 'A' and 'B' sections of Division One resigned from the Western Football League. Portsmouth ended their season in sixth place before the following season saw the team relegated. A severe financial crisis struck between seasons and a public appeal for funds in May 1911 kept the club afloat.{{cite web |url=http://www.welcometoportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouth%20football%20club.html |title=Portsmouth FC History |publisher=welcometoportsmouth.co.uk |access-date=2 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142023/http://www.welcometoportsmouth.co.uk/portsmouth%20football%20club.html |url-status=dead }}

The team finished second place in the 1911–12 Southern Football League Division Two and were promoted as runners-up. However, the club's finances were in trouble again, with losses and debts increasing to £10,000. A shareholders meeting was called on 8 May 1912, where George Lewin Oliver, one of the original founders and directors, proposed that "The Portsmouth Football and Athletic Company" should be wound up and replaced with a more business orientated company. The original company was then liquidated to remove the debt and on 27 July 1912, the "Portsmouth Football Company Ltd" was formed as the new parent company of Portsmouth F.C., with substantial financial guarantees given by the board of directors. The original 1898 founding director George Lewin Oliver became the new Portsmouth F.C. chairman.{{cite web |url=http://pompeychimes.webs.com/history1898to1939.htm |title=Portsmouth Football Club History |work=The Pompey Chimes |access-date=23 November 2018 |archive-date=1 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001073839/https://pompeychimes.webs.com/history1898to1939.htm |url-status=live }}

Football was suspended during the First World War. Following the resumption of matches in the 1919–20 season, Portsmouth won the Southern League championship for the second time. Portsmouth were then elected to the Football League Third Division as founder members.

File:PortsmouthFC League Performance.svg

Competing in the Football League Third Division, Portsmouth claimed the title in the 1923–24 season. Debuting in the Second Division for the first time, they finished in fourth place. Portsmouth won promotion to the First Division by finishing runners-up in the 1926–27 season and in the process, recording their club record win in a 9–1 victory over Notts County. Portsmouth's debut season in the 1927–28 First Division was a struggle, finishing one point and one place above relegation. Despite their difficulties in the top flight, Portsmouth reached the FA Cup final for the first time, which they lost to Bolton Wanderers in 1929.{{cite web |url=http://www.pompeyvoices.co.uk/story/7f76d0a19d |title=Key Match: 1929 FA Cup Final |publisher=Pompey Voices |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615190802/http://www.pompeyvoices.co.uk/story/7f76d0a19d |url-status=dead }}

From 1929 to 1934, Portsmouth had become a regular top-half table finisher in the First Division. The 1933–34 season saw Portsmouth again reach the FA Cup final for a second time but lost to Manchester City. Having established themselves in the top flight, the 1938–39 season saw Portsmouth reach the FA Cup final. This was indeed third time lucky, as Portsmouth managed to defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–1.{{cite web |url=http://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/08/05/monkey-glands-and-the-major/ |title=Monkey Glands and the Major |publisher=These Football Times |access-date=5 July 2018 |first=Connor |last=Heffernan |date=8 May 2015 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623170251/http://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/08/05/monkey-glands-and-the-major/ |url-status=live }} The start of World War II in 1939 resulted in the suspension of the FA Cup competition for the duration, so Portsmouth held the trophy until it resumed in 1945–46.

The new 1939–40 season was cut short with the start of World War Two. However, football competitions did take place during the war, with the Football League being split into ten regional mini leagues, with Portsmouth in 'League South' along with an annual national cup competition, the Football League War Cup. In 1942, Portsmouth reached the London War Cup final.{{cite web |url=http://www.pompeyvoices.co.uk/story/b0bdf8dc47 |title=1942 London War Cup Final |publisher=Pompey Voices |access-date=5 July 2018 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615163242/http://www.pompeyvoices.co.uk/story/b0bdf8dc47 |url-status=dead }} Portsmouth progressed to the 1942 London War Cup final at Wembley Stadium, but were beaten by Brentford. During his wartime visits to Portsmouth, Field Marshal Montgomery became interested in Portsmouth Football Club and was made honorary President of Portsmouth F.C. in 1944 (until 1961).{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/pompey-mentioned-in-monty-s-despatches-1-1261833|title=Pompey mentioned in Monty's despatches|publisher=Portsmouth News|date=15 June 2004|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-date=23 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623193917/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/pompey-mentioned-in-monty-s-despatches-1-1261833|url-status=dead}}

The Football League finally resumed in 1946–47. Portsmouth won the First Division title in the 1948–49 season. Bob Jackson's Portsmouth side beat Aston Villa 5–1 on the last day of the following 1949–50 season, winning the Football League title again for a second consecutive season – on goal average. In the following 1950–51 season, Portsmouth finished in 7th position. After narrowly avoiding relegation in previous seasons, Portsmouth finished bottom of the First Division at the end of the 1958–59 season, ending their 32-year stay in the First Division.

In the 1960–61 season Portsmouth finished second-to-last place in the Second Division relegation zone and were relegated once again to the Third Division. Under the guidance of George Smith, Portsmouth were promoted back to the Second Division at the first time of asking, winning the Third Division title. Despite limited financial means, manager George Smith maintained Portsmouth's Second Division status throughout the rest of the 1960s. Portsmouth finished bottom of the Second Division in the 1975–76 season and were relegated down to the Third Division. In November of the 1976–77 Third Division season, the club found itself needing to raise £25,000 to pay off debts and so avoid bankruptcy.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}} With players having to be sold to ease the club's financial situation, and no money available for replacements, Portsmouth were forced to rely on inexperienced young players and ended the 1976–77 season only one place and one point above the Third Division's relegation zone but were relegated at the end of the new 1977–78 season, finishing in bottom place.

Under Frank Burrows' new management, Portsmouth gained promotion back to the Third Division after finishing in 4th place in the 1979–80 season. Portsmouth would take three seasons before in 1983, Portsmouth claimed their Third Division championship title, gaining promotion back into the Second Division. In the 1986–87 Second Division season, Portsmouth finished as runners-up behind Derby County, gaining promotion back to the First Division for the first time since the 1958–59 season. By the middle of the new 1987–88 First Division season, the club was again in financial trouble with the ground in a poor condition. Portsmouth were relegated straight back down to the Second Division. The summer of 1988 saw chairman John Deacon sell the club to London-based businessman and former Queens Park Rangers chairman, Jim Gregory.

The club's parent company had a name change from 'Portsmouth Football Company Limited' to 'Portsmouth Football Club Limited' on 23 January 1989.{{cite web | url=https://www.companysearchesmadesimple.com/company/uk/00123460/portsmouth-football-club-limited/#summary | title=Portsmouth Football Club Limited - Company Credit Reports, Company Accounts, Director Search Reports | access-date=4 October 2022 | archive-date=4 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004100802/https://www.companysearchesmadesimple.com/company/uk/00123460/portsmouth-football-club-limited/#summary | url-status=live }} Portsmouth ended the season only two places above the relegation zone. The 1992–93 Football League season saw a major restructuring of the English football "pyramid" system, with the new FA Premier League becoming the new first tier and the First Division becoming the second tier. Therefore, Portsmouth played in the new "First Division" but missed out on automatic promotion by virtue of scoring only one fewer goal than second-placed West Ham United. In the subsequent promotion play-offs, Portsmouth lost 3–2 on aggregate to Leicester City.

Terry Venables took over as chairman in February 1997 after buying a 51 per cent controlling share in the club for £1.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/46933.stm|title=Venables quits Portsmouth taking a tidy profit|date=13 January 1998|work=BBC News|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=2 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402160707/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/46933.stm|url-status=live}} Venables sold his shareholding back to Martin Gregory in 1998. Alan Ball then returned as manager for the second time on 26 January 1998. Relegation to the third tier was avoided on the last day of the season – by 1 point. Portsmouth's centenary season, 1998–99, saw a financial crisis hit the club, and in December 1998 Portsmouth went into financial administration.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16943651|title=Portsmouth enter administration & are docked 10 points|date=17 February 2012|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118205627/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16943651|url-status=live}} Serbian-born US businessman Milan Mandarić decided to buy Portsmouth in May 1999.{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/i-still-regret-it-milan-mandaric-reveals-why-he-never-should-have-sold-portsmouth-to-become-leicester-city-owner-3959233 |title='I still regret it': Milan Mandaric reveals why he never should have sold Portsmouth to become Leicester City owner |work=The News |last=Allen |first=Neil |date=19 December 2022 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=26 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226211611/https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/i-still-regret-it-milan-mandaric-reveals-why-he-never-should-have-sold-portsmouth-to-become-leicester-city-owner-3959233 |url-status=live }} Alan Ball was sacked on 9 December 1999 during the 1999–2000 season with the club near the bottom of the table. Tony Pulis steered the club to safety. Portsmouth escaped relegation on the last day of the 2000–01 season when they won their final game and Huddersfield Town lost theirs, keeping Portsmouth up at their expense.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3004911/Huddersfield-relegated-as-Palace-and-Portsmouth-win.html|title=Huddersfield relegated as Palace and Portsmouth win|date=6 May 2001|work=The Telegraph|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=7 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107161900/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3004911/Huddersfield-relegated-as-Palace-and-Portsmouth-win.html|url-status=live}} A week before the new season began, 25-year-old Portsmouth goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan was killed in a car crash on 5 August 2001 with the club retiring his number 1 shirt for the season. Harry Redknapp became manager in 2002. After a 17th-place finish, he led Pompey to the First Division title in 2002–03, after an absence of fifteen seasons from the first tier.{{cite news |title=Portsmouth clinch promotion and championship |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2003/0427/portsmouth.html |work=RTÉ Sport |date=27 April 2003 |access-date=27 August 2007 |archive-date=21 August 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040821053841/http://www.rte.ie/sport/2003/0427/portsmouth.html |url-status=live }}

In Portsmouth's Premiership debut season in 2003–04, the partnership of Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith resulted in a 13th place final position at the end of the season. Almost halfway through the following 2004–05 season in the Premiership, Harry Redknapp unexpectedly walked out on Portsmouth in November 2004 after a row with chairman Milan Mandarić.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/4077461.stm |title=Saints name Redknapp as boss |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 December 2004 |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112230446/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/4077461.stm |url-status=live }} Velimir Zajec then replaced Redknapp as Portsmouth manager, but in April 2005, Zajec was replaced by Frenchman Alain Perrin. Perrin managed to secure Portsmouth's Premiership status with a few games of the season left. During the 2005–06 season, Alain Perrin was sacked with Harry Redknapp then making a surprise return to manage Portsmouth again after leaving relegated Southampton. In January 2006, Portsmouth were sold by Milan Mandarić and bought by businessman Alexandre Gaydamak. The club survived their third season in the Premier League one place above the relegation zone in 17th position. With large amounts of money available for Redknapp to make record signings, the club finished the 2006–07 season in the top half of the table for the first time since their promotion, in ninth position.

File:The FA Cup Trophy in 2008.jpg for the second time in 2008]]

File:Fullscore.JPG, in which Portsmouth beat Cardiff City 1–0]]

The following 2007–08 season, Portsmouth finished eighth in the Premier League and defeated Cardiff City in the FA Cup final 1–0. This marked the club’s first FA Cup final since 1939.

File:Portsmouth kickoff vs AC Milan.jpg and Nwankwo Kanu kick off for Portsmouth in their UEFA Cup match against Milan]]

The FA Cup win had also earned Portsmouth a place in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup, the club's first time playing European football. On 25 October 2008, Redknapp left Portsmouth for a second time, leaving his assistant Tony Adams to be promoted to the managerial role. On 27 November 2008, Portsmouth drew 2–2 with AC Milan, going 2–0 up, but conceding two goals later in the game. Adams was dismissed in February 2009.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7878084.stm |title=Portsmouth confirm Adams sacking |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 February 2009 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=11 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211080748/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/7878084.stm |url-status=live }} Youth team coach Paul Hart took over as manager until the end of the season, eventually finishing in 14th place. Because of the financial problems suffered by the club, Portsmouth were forced to sell several of their top players and high earners. Al Fahim completed the takeover on 26 August 2009. As the early stages of the 2009–10 season progressed, the finances dried up and the club admitted on 1 October that some of their players and staff had not been paid. Owing to the financial difficulties, the Premier League placed the club under a transfer embargo.

Avram Grant took over at Portsmouth on 26 November 2009, following the dismissal of Hart.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8378603.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Portsmouth name Grant as new boss | date=26 November 2009 | access-date=22 May 2010 | archive-date=12 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112203648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8378603.stm | url-status=live }} HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) filed a winding-up petition against Portsmouth at the High Court of Justice on 23 December 2009.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8434987.stm | work=BBC News | title=Portsmouth FC's 'shock' at HMRC wind-up petition | date=30 December 2009 | access-date=10 November 2011 | archive-date=19 April 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419021115/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8434987.stm | url-status=live }} In March 2010, this winding-up petition was dropped,{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8570134.stm | work=BBC News | title=HMRC drops Portsmouth administration challenge | date=16 March 2010 | access-date=10 November 2011 | archive-date=19 April 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120419020852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8570134.stm | url-status=live }} leaving Portsmouth with a nine-point penalty for entering administration.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8571990.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Portsmouth deducted nine points | date=17 March 2010 | access-date=22 May 2010 | archive-date=23 March 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323022334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8571990.stm | url-status=live }}

The club were later relegated but competed in the 2010 FA Cup final losing to Chelsea.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/10/portsmouth-relegated-premier-league | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Nicky | last=Bandini | title=Portsmouth relegated from top flight after West Ham beat Sunderland | date=10 April 2010 | access-date=12 December 2016 | archive-date=13 April 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413170822/http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/10/portsmouth-relegated-premier-league | url-status=live }} Despite being FA Cup finalists, the club were denied a licence to play European football the following season in the UEFA Europa League.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8558580.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Portsmouth Europa League appeal rejected by FA | date=22 April 2010 | access-date=17 August 2011 | archive-date=13 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113015059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8558580.stm | url-status=live }} On 17 August, Balram Chainrai completed his takeover of the club.

In October 2010, it was revealed just hours later that Portsmouth had finally come out of administration, with Balram Chainrai regaining control of the company.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/portsmouth/8083715/Portsmouth-out-of-administration-after-deal-reached-with-Alexandre-Gaydamak.html|title=Portsmouth out of administration after deal reached with Alexandre Gaydamak|date=24 October 2010|publisher=The Telegraph|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=4 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104124343/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/portsmouth/8083715/Portsmouth-out-of-administration-after-deal-reached-with-Alexandre-Gaydamak.html|url-status=live}} On 1 June 2011, Convers Sports Initiatives (CSI) owned by Russian Vladimir Antonov completed its takeover of the club, although an arrest warrant would later be issued for him in November 2011 following allegations of asset stripping.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13614706.stm|title=Convers Sports Initiatives complete Portsmouth takeover|date=1 June 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=10 November 2011|archive-date=25 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125132222/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13614706.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15859800|title=Arrest Warrant for Portsmouth FC Owner Vladimir Antonov|date=23 November 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 November 2011|archive-date=23 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123174013/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-15859800|url-status=live}} He shortly afterwards resigned as chairman of Portsmouth after parent company CSI entered administration.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15944523.stm|title=Portsmouth owner Vladimir Antonov steps down|date=29 November 2011|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=29 November 2011}} On 17 February 2012, Portsmouth went into administration for the second time in two years, bringing them an automatic 10-point deduction.{{cite news|title=Championship – Portsmouth in administration, docked 10 points|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17022012/58/championship-portsmouth-administration.html|publisher=Yahoo! Eurosport|date=17 February 2012|access-date=17 February 2012|archive-date=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715142559/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17022012/58/championship-portsmouth-administration.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16943651|title=Portsmouth Football Club back in administration|date=17 February 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 February 2012|archive-date=18 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118205627/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16943651|url-status=live}} They were relegated from the Championship in 2011–12, the first time in 30 years that the club had played in the third tier.

Following Pompey's relegation to League One, the entire professional playing squad left the club.{{cite news|title=Lawrence to leave Pompey |url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Lawrence-To-Leave-Pompey-3585.aspx |publisher=Portsmouth Football Club |date=10 August 2012 |access-date=10 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812024525/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Lawrence-To-Leave-Pompey-3585.aspx |archive-date=12 August 2012 }} The team were given a 10-point deduction in December 2012 for their financial issues.{{cite news|title=Portsmouth: Football League reaffirm points deduction|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20669252|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 December 2012|access-date=29 December 2012|archive-date=13 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213062439/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20669252|url-status=live}} On 9 November 2012, Chanrai halted his attempt to buy the club.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20268344|title=Portsmouth: Balram Chainrai suspends bid for club|date=9 November 2012|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=17 March 2013|archive-date=11 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111232643/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20268344|url-status=live}} Six days later, the Pompey Supporters Trust signed a conditional agreement with PFK to buy the club.{{cite news|title=Portsmouth set to be sold to Pompey Supporters' Trust|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20338754|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 November 2012|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=17 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117212801/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20338754|url-status=live}} The club went on a record winless run of 23 matches during the season.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21556921|title=Crewe 1–2 Portsmouth|date=2 March 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 March 2013|archive-date=2 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130302202502/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21556921|url-status=live}} On 10 April 2013, a deal with administrators was reached,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22098749|title=Portsmouth: Supporters poised for takeover|date=10 April 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=10 April 2013|archive-date=10 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130410221439/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22098749|url-status=live}} although the Pompey Supporters' Trust had not yet finalised the purchase.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22097965|title=Tears as Portsmouth fans reclaim football club|date=10 April 2013|work=BBC News|access-date=10 April 2013|archive-date=13 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413084035/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-22097965|url-status=live}} Portsmouth were relegated again at the end of the season, to the fourth tier of English football for the first time in 33 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22075591|title=Matt Smith's header ensured Lee Johnson's Oldham beat father Gary's Yeovil and condemned both Hartlepool and Portsmouth to relegation|date=16 April 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=16 April 2013|archive-date=17 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017024456/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22075591|url-status=live}} On 19 April 2013, Portsmouth exited administration when the Pompey Supporters' Trust (PST) deal to buy the club was completed.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22167294|title=Portsmouth come out of administration|date=19 April 2013|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=19 April 2013|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421060754/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22167294|url-status=live}}

The 2013–14 season was also a turbulent one for Pompey with a high turnover of managers. With the club in serious danger of relegation to non-League, Andy Awford was again made caretaker manager and guided the club away from the drop.{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26765666 | title = Richie Barker sacked as Portsmouth manager | date = 27 March 2014 | access-date = 27 March 2014 | publisher = BBC Sport | archive-date = 28 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140328084457/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26765666 | url-status = live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-celebrate-in-style-1-6013083 |title=Pompey Celebrate in Style |date=21 April 2014 |access-date=21 April 2014 |publisher=Portsmouth News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232631/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/pompey/pompey-celebrate-in-style-1-6013083 |archive-date=22 April 2014 |url-status=dead }} In a historic announcement on 29 September 2014, the club was able to declare itself debt-free after paying back all creditors and legacy payments to ex-players.{{cite web|title=Portsmouth now debt-free following Supporters Trust takeover|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29408776|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 September 2014|access-date=6 July 2018|archive-date=5 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205085942/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29408776|url-status=live}} Following an unsuccessful 2014–15 campaign, Paul Cook was appointed new manager of Portsmouth on 12 May 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32702867 |title=Paul Cook: Portsmouth appoint Chesterfield boss as manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2015 |access-date=17 June 2017 |archive-date=16 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616053550/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32702867 |url-status=live }} Following an unsuccessful play-off attempt in the previous season,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240107|title=Plymouth Argyle 1–0 Portsmouth (agg 3–2)|author=Brent Pilnick|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2016|access-date=18 April 2017|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204152851/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36240107|url-status=live}} Paul Cook's side secured promotion to League One in 2016–17 with a 3–1 win away at Notts County and were later confirmed as champions.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39550094 |title=Notts County 1–3 Portsmouth |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2017 |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404142348/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39550094 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/39784039 |title=League Two: Pools relegated, Pompey champions as it happened |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2017 |access-date=25 December 2019 |archive-date=14 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214180318/http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/39784039 |url-status=live}} However, Paul Cook resigned on 31 May 2017 to join Wigan Athletic.{{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2017/may/cook-leaves-pompey// |title=Cook Leaves Pompey |publisher=Portsmouth Football Club |date=31 May 2017 |access-date=17 June 2017 |archive-date=8 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708044945/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2017/may/cook-leaves-pompey/ |url-status=live}}

In May 2017, the Pompey Supporters' Trust (PST) voted in favour of a proposed bid by The Tornante Company, headed by former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner, to take over the club which was completed on 3 August 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40000639 |title=Portsmouth: Supporters' Trust approves Michael Eisner's takeover proposal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 May 2017 |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=31 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831040642/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40000639 |url-status=live}} Portsmouth finished their first season back in League One in 8th position.{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/PORTSMOU.HTM |title=Portsmouth |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=1 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142523/http://www.fchd.info/PORTSMOU.HTM |url-status=live }} In the following season, they won the EFL Trophy, defeating Sunderland on penalties in the final but lost to the same team in the play-offs.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47709134 |title=Checkatrade Trophy final |work=BBC Sport |author=Adam Williams |date=31 March 2019 |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331164611/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47709134 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48210117 |title=Portsmouth 0–0 Sunderland (0–1 agg): Black Cats reach League One play-off final |work=BBC Sport |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=18 May 2019 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531040553/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48210117 |url-status=live}}

Portsmouth were due to return to Wembley to defend the EFL Trophy against Salford City on 5 April 2020 in the final, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the suspension of the season on 13 March.{{cite web|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/june/key-dates-announced-ahead-of-201920-season/ |title=Key dates announced ahead of 2019/20 season |website=www.efl.com |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218234306/https://www.efl.com/news/2019/june/key-dates-announced-ahead-of-201920-season/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51867989 |title=Coronavirus: Premier League and EFL suspended in England - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland halt games |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2020 |access-date=16 October 2023}} After the league was suspended, a points per game calculation meant that Pompey competed in the play-offs, albeit behind closed doors.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |title=League One & Two seasons ended early |work=BBC Sport |access-date=9 June 2020 |archive-date=15 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615090610/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52705124 |url-status=live}} Nevertheless, they lost on penalties to Oxford United.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53276958 |title=Oxford United 1–1 Portsmouth |work=BBC Sport |first=Tom |last=Garry |date=6 July 2020 |access-date=10 July 2020 |archive-date=8 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708133234/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53276958 |url-status=live }}

The delayed 2020 EFL Trophy final was eventually played behind closed doors at Wembley Stadium in March 2021, with Portsmouth losing on penalties to Salford City.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56320947 |title=Salford win Papa John's Trophy on penalties |work=BBC Sport |access-date=13 March 2021 |archive-date=15 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815130238/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56320947 |url-status=live}} After three seasons finishing just below the play-off positions, they won promotion in the 2023–24 season as champions, ending their 12-year stay below the second tier.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/portsmouth-vs-barnsley/report/484077 |title=Portsmouth 3–2 Barnsley: Pompey seal promotion to Championship with dramatic win |website=Sky Sports |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=16 April 2024}}

File:City Flag of Portsmouth.svg]]

Although Portsmouth F.C. were formed in 1898, the club did not have a club badge until one was introduced for the 1913–14 season. The official Coat of Arms of the City of Portsmouth contains an eight pointed gold star and crescent moon on a blue shield, Portsmouth's adoption of the star and crescent is said to have come from when King Richard I (1157–1189), who granted the city "a crescent of gold on a shade of azure, with a blazing star of eight points" which he had taken from the Byzantine Emperor's standard of Governor Isaac Komnenos, after capturing Cyprus.

The first 1913 Portsmouth F.C. badge was based on official symbols belonging to the town council of Portsmouth, which featured a golden eight-pointed star and a golden crescent moon. The club's first badge featured a horizontally elongated white crescent moon beneath a white five pointed star, with both symbols positioned in the centre of a blue four pointed shield. Portsmouth town council bestowed the privileged use (but not ownership) of their moon and star motifs to Portsmouth F.C., albeit with some colour and design changes.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|title=Portsmouth|publisher=Historical Football Kits|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=6 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706024437/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|url-status=live}}

Throughout their history Portsmouth F.C. have tried different variations of the badge. After World War II, Portsmouth began using an eight-pointed star to match that used by the city of Portsmouth. In the 1950s and 1960s, the traditional badge was emblazoned on the shirt in white rather than gold but this was due to white being a cheaper alternative to a more expensive gold coloured thread. Between 1980 and 1989, Portsmouth scrapped their traditional star and crescent badge and replaced it with an entirely new design. This badge showed a football in front of an anchor (representing the Royal Navy) and a sword (representing the British Army), with the whole design surrounded by an outer ring of ships rope. An alternative version included a circular version of the traditional star and crescent badge in place of the football.

During 1989 and 1993, the sword and anchor badge was dropped replaced with a simpler eight pointed star and crescent moon on a long narrow shield.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|title=Portsmouth – Historical Football Kits|website=www.historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731190756/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|url-status=live}} From 1993 until 1997, the 1989–93 long narrow shield design was replaced by an embroidered badge of the city of Portsmouth Coat of Arms.{{cite web|url=https://greatestkits.co.uk/products/1993-95-portsmouth-home-shirt-l|title=1993/95 Portsmouth Home Shirt (L)|website=Greatest Kits|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-date=21 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221142510/https://greatestkits.co.uk/products/1993-95-portsmouth-home-shirt-l|url-status=dead}} The 1993–97 city arms badge was replaced in 1997, with an eight pointed gold star and a golden crescent moon on a blue shield edged with a gold outer rim. This new badge coincided with the centennial anniversary in the 1997–98 season.

On 6 May 2008, Portsmouth revealed a new badge with "three points" at the top of the shield were replaced with two straightened angles, with "Portsmouth F.C." written above the star on the shield.{{cite web|url=https://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/team/england/crest/portsmouth.png?w=600&h=600|title=Portsmouth Crest|website=ffcw001.azureedge.net|access-date=20 March 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806150744/https://ffcw001.azureedge.net/-/media/team/england/crest/portsmouth.png?w=600&h=600|url-status=dead}} The traditional elongated crescent moon was replaced with a new circular one, which closely resembled that on the city's Coat of Arms. The new badge had its debut in the 2008 FA Cup final, in which Portsmouth also wore a new 110th Anniversary all-blue commemorative home strip. As part of the World War I Centennial Commemorations in the 2014–15 season, the club opted to temporarily replace the badge with a more traditional badge. In June 2015, Portsmouth reverted the official club badge back to a traditional design.

On 4 May 2017, during a meeting between the Tornante Company the Supporters Trust, the prospective new owners identified a long overlooked ownership and copyright issue concerning the traditional Portsmouth badge – Portsmouth Football Club did not legally "own" the symbols on the badge, which had actually only been "on loan" to the club from Portsmouth City Council since 1913.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7DZY79jTY | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228015912/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n7DZY79jTY| archive-date=28 December 2019|publisher=The Tornante Company |via=YouTube.com |title=Michael Eisner's Q&A Session with Portsmouth Supporters Trust |date=13 May 2017 |access-date=8 August 2018 }}{{better source needed|date=July 2023}} On 15 March 2018, two newly redesigned club badges were finally revealed ahead of the 2018–19 season (one for players' shirts and the other for commercial purposes).{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2018/march/pompey-unveil-new-crest/ |title=Pompey Unveil New Crest |publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |date=15 March 2018 |access-date=6 July 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144541/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2018/march/pompey-unveil-new-crest/ |url-status=live }}

File:Portsmouth City Coat of Arms.jpg|1992-1997

File:Portsmouth FC crest.svg|2015–2018

File:Portsmouth FC logo.jpg|2018–present, shirt badge

File:Portsmouth FC logo.svg|2018–Present club & merchandising badge

{{Commons|Portsmouth F.C. kits}}

In the 1899–1900 season, Portsmouth's first home colours were salmon pink shirts with maroon collars and cuffs, matched with white shorts and black socks. The pink shirts gave the early Portsmouth F.C. the alternative second nickname of 'The Shrimps'. The collars and cuffs were the same colour as the Corporation of Portsmouth's public trams, which were painted maroon at the time.{{cite web |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm |title=Portsmouth |publisher=Historical Football Kits |website=historicalkits.co.uk |access-date=8 August 2018 |archive-date=10 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810030157/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm |url-status=live }} These colours lasted until the end of the 1908–09 season. At the start of the 1909–10 season, Portsmouth changed to white shirts with navy blue shorts and navy blue socks.

For the start of the 1912–13 Southern League Division One season, Portsmouth changed their home colours to azure blue shirts, white shorts and black socks. This was to become Portsmouth's home kit colour combination up until the start of the 1933–34 season, when the shirts were changed to a royal blue.{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|title=Portsmouth – Historical Football Kits|website=www.historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731190756/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|url-status=live}} These colours remained until the start of the 1947–48 season, when the black socks were changed to red; this coinciding with the club's most successful period and has remained the favoured colours for the majority of the time since.{{cite news |title=Pompey's Home Kits Through The Ages |url=http://www.pompeyweb.co.uk/kits.htm |publisher=PompeyWeb |access-date=27 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603114751/http://www.pompeyweb.co.uk/kits.htm |archive-date=3 June 2008}} Portsmouth F.C. changed their colour combination several times during the 1966–1976 period, before reverting to the now tradition post-war blue shirts, white shorts and red stockings in 1976. For the club's 110th anniversary season in 2008–09, Portsmouth played in an all blue home kit, which debuted in the previous season's successful 2008 FA Cup final win. Since the 2009–10 season, Portsmouth reverted to the now traditional blue-white-red home kit.

File:General_Sir_Bernard_Montgomery_in_England,_1943_TR1037_(cropped).jpg

Portsmouth had predominantly worn black socks since their first match in 1899. During the Second World War and post-war periods, the British Army's Field Marshal Sir Bernard 'Monty' Montgomery had been based at Southwick House, 5 miles to the north of Portsmouth. Montgomery regularly attended Pompey matches at Fratton Park, becoming the honorary President of Portsmouth Football Club. Following the suggestion by Montgomery, red socks were introduced by the club as a memorial to soldiers lost in wartime as red is the traditional colour of the British Army and also the colour of the Remembrance poppy.{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2013/may/crest-of-a-wave/ |title=Crest Of A Wave |publisher=Portsmouth Football Club |date=22 May 2013 |access-date=8 August 2018 |archive-date=8 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808203840/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2013/may/crest-of-a-wave/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|title=Portsmouth - Historical Football Kits|website=www.historicalkits.co.uk|access-date=31 July 2017|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731190756/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm|url-status=live}} This also gave the Portsmouth team a patriotic blue, white and red appearance similar to the United Kingdom's red white and blue Union Flag. The new red socks also coincided with Portsmouth's most successful period, so the red socks were retained for good luck.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

The most frequent away colours used by Portsmouth have been white shirts with royal or navy blue shorts and either blue or white socks.

For the 2008 FA Cup final victory against Cardiff City, Portsmouth debuted an all blue home kit manufactured by Canterbury and sponsored by Oki Printing Solutions to commemorate the club's 110th Anniversary year. The all blue home kit was also used throughout the following 2008–09 season.

Portsmouth again reached the FA Cup final in 2010, but were defeated 1–0 by Chelsea. Portsmouth, as the away team, wore a white and maroon kit inspired from elements of the original "Shrimps" era (1899–1909) kit in which maroon collars and cuffs featured on the salmon pink home shirts.

:Source:{{cite web|url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/Portsmouth/Portsmouth.htm |title=Portsmouth |website=Historical Football Kits |access-date=16 October 2023}}

¹ Portsmouth's own manufacturer.

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2023}}

The traditional nickname of the Portsmouth Football Club is Pompey, a nickname already long associated with the English city of Portsmouth and its Royal Navy base. An exact origin for the Pompey nickname has never formally been identified by historians, as many variations and interpretations of the Pompey nickname exist.

{{Main|Fratton Park}}

{{unreferenced section|date=July 2023}}

File:Fratton Park entrance.jpg

Portsmouth play their home games at Fratton Park, in the Portsmouth suburb of Milton. The football ground has been home to the club throughout its entire history. The football ground was formerly the site of a potato field in 1898 when it was purchased by the newly-formed Portsmouth Football & Athletic Company.

Fratton Park was designed and completed during 1899 by Portsmouth director and architect Alfred Bone and was first opened to the public on 15 August 1899. The early Fratton Park of 1899 only had one roofed all-seat stand on the pitch's southern side. The first ever football match to take place at Fratton Park was a friendly against Southampton, played on 6 September 1899, with Portsmouth winning 2–0. The first competitive match at Fratton Park was played three days later on 9 September 1899; a Southern League Division One match against Reading, which Portsmouth also won 2–0.

In 1905, the club expanded Fratton Park, adding a mock Tudor style club pavilion to the south-west corner in Frogmore Road, a pavilion designed by Alfred Bone. The pavilion originally featured a tall octagonal clock tower spire on its north-east corner, with an upper viewing gallery built beneath it giving an unobscured view over the entire Fratton Park pitch. In addition, two new solid earthbank terraces, topped with cinders and wooden planking were built behind the two goal ends. They were initially known as the Fratton Railway End and Milton End (or Spion Kop) and were built behind the west and east end goal lines respectively.

The pavilion's clock tower was demolished in the 1920s as the South Stand was partially built into the pavilion's footprint and still contains most of the pavilion's original east side within it. Ten years later in 1935, Archibald Leitch also designed a larger North Stand for Fratton Park. Fratton Park reached its current all-time ground attendance record of 51,385 supporters on 26 February 1949, for an FA Cup sixth-round match, a 2–1 win against Derby County. The Fratton Railway End was demolished in 1956 and replaced by a new prefabricated concrete and steel stand, simply known as The Fratton End. Fratton Park became an all seated football ground in 1996, which greatly reduced Fratton Park's previous maximum capacity. In 1997, a new Fratton End was opened in October 1997. Plans for relocation were first mooted in the early 1990s, but due to various objections and financial obstacles, the club has continued to play at Fratton Park.

File:Pompey_Gym,_Portsmouth_FC_Training_Ground.jpg

Portsmouth F.C. have been using their training ground at 442 Copnor Road (PO3 5EW) in the Hilsea area of Portsea Island since 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.portsmouthfc.news/club/training-ground/ | title=Training Ground

|publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |access-date=23 January 2025}} The facilities in Hilsea were formerly a ROKO health club until Portsmouth F.C. purchased them on 16 June 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/pompey-announce-landmark-move-to-buy-training-facility-and-roko-health-club-3275509 |title=Portsmouth announce landmark move to buy Hilsea training facility and Roko health club |work=The Portsmouth News |last=Cross |first=Jordan |date=16 June 2021 |access-date=23 January 2025}} The main ex-ROKO health club building has since been refurbished into 'Pompey Health And Fitness' members club, whose facilities are also used by Portsmouth F.C.{{'}}s squad.

File:Pompeywembley.jpg

{{Main|South Coast derby}}

Portsmouth's main rivals are Southampton,{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2288869/football-rivals-the-census |title=Football Rivals: The Census |author=Patrick Goss |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=23 November 2023}} who are 19.8 miles (31.8 km) away. The South Coast Derby is one of the less frequently played rivalries within English football due to the clubs being in different divisions; however this usually adds to the ferocity of the fixture.

Prior to the mid-late 1960s, rivalry between Portsmouth and Southampton was largely non-existent, as a consequence of their disparity in league status. This derby match has been sporadic. Since 1977, the teams have only been in the same division in four seasons: 1987–88, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2011–12.{{cite news |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/portsmouth/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Southampton/ |title=Portsmouth Football Club: record v Southampton |website=11v11 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=4 June 2024}} As of June 2024, the two clubs have met 71 times in all competitions with Pompey winning on 21 occasions, Southampton winning 35 times and with 15 matches finishing level. The most recent fixture between the two sides came in September 2019 in the EFL Cup with Southampton winning 4–0 at Fratton Park. The last league meeting between the two clubs took place on 7 April 2012 at St Mary's Stadium with the match ending in a 2–2 draw.

Many Portsmouth supporters commonly use the derogatory nickname Scummer (plural: Scummers) to describe Southampton fans, or collectively Scum to also include their football club, and indeed the city of Southampton itself. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Scummers was a derogatory name with naval origins for pirates or buccaneers, and was first recorded in use in 1585.{{cite web |url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/scummer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019205627/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/scummer |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 October 2018 |title=scummer |work=English Oxford Living Dictionaries |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=24 January 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/23/newsstory.sport8 |title=Scummers v Skates |work=The Guardian |author=Kevin Mitchell |date=23 January 2005 |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212202139/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/jan/23/newsstory.sport8 |url-status=live }}

Meanwhile, Portsmouth supporters have had the equally derogatory nickname Skate bestowed upon them by Southampton fans as a rebuttal to Scummer since the 1987–88 Division One season. This was unofficially chosen by Southampton fans from a list of insults compiled by a Southampton-based supporters fanzine called The Ugly Inside in 1988.{{cite web |url=https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/48841/ |title=Why Bournemouth Will Never Be Saints Rivals ! |work=FansNetwork |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=24 January 2019 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204506/https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/48841/ |url-status=live }} Ironically, the chosen nickname Skate was actually stolen from the civilian population of Portsmouth, who had long used Skate as a derogatory insult or nickname for sailors based in Portsmouth Dockyard and other Royal Navy establishments.

Another rivalry over the years, known as the "Dockyard Derby" by the media, is with Plymouth Argyle.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7201902.stm|title=Naval support for Dockyard Derby|date=22 January 2008|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222034826/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7201902.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2289954/Tynan-Plymouth-can-cause-derby-upset.html|title=Tynan: Plymouth can cause derby upset|date=25 January 2008|work=The Telegraph|access-date=19 February 2012|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322071920/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2289954/Tynan-Plymouth-can-cause-derby-upset.html|url-status=live}} This rivalry is also known as the Battle of the Ports.{{cite book |title=Rivals: The Off-Beat Guide to the 92 League Clubs |last1=Harvey |first1=Geoff |last2=Strowger |first2=Vanessa |year=2004 |publisher=Aesculus Press Ltd |location=Swadlincote, Derbyshire |isbn=1-904328-13-X |page=133 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mG7XLIPEHvAC&q=%22battle+of+the+ports%22+football&pg=PT111 |access-date=2 March 2012}} In recent seasons the club has also developed a minor rivalry with Sunderland, mainly stemming from the clubs meeting each other 5 times in the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-portsmouth-story-so-far-16284128|title=Sunderland vs Portsmouth: A story of red cards, penalties and a simmering rivalry|first=Sean|last=Tighe|date=16 May 2019|website=nechronicle|access-date=26 May 2019|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806120021/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sunderland-portsmouth-story-so-far-16284128|url-status=live}}

The best-known chant sung by Portsmouth supporters is "The Pompey Chimes". The chant is regarded as one of the oldest football chants still in use today.{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Pettie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7821392/An-ode-to-footballs-rowdy-poets.html|title=An ode to football's rowdy poets|date=11 June 2010|work=The Telegraph|access-date=20 March 2012|archive-date=25 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325010120/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/7821392/An-ode-to-footballs-rowdy-poets.html|url-status=live}}{{cite book |title=Glory Gunners: The History of Royal Artillery FC Portsmouth |first=Kevin |last=Smith |year=1999 |publisher=K.Smith |location=London |isbn=0-9534707-0-9 |page=69}}

"The Pompey Chimes" were originally called "The Town Hall Chimes", and were created by the supporters of Royal Artillery (Portsmouth) Football Club, a British Army artillery regiment team, who were the most popular and successful amateur football team based in Portsmouth for much of the 1890s. Royal Artillery played their home matches at the United Services Recreation Ground in Burnaby Road, Portsmouth,{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage/history-of-the-chimes-1-1299340|title=History of the chimes|website=Portsmouth.co.uk|access-date=6 September 2017|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907033904/http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage/history-of-the-chimes-1-1299340|url-status=live}} and were already nicknamed "Pompey"{{cite web|url=http://hoppingaroundhampshire.blogspot.com/2013/04/39-united-services-portsmouth-fc.html|title=Hopping Around Hampshire: 39. United Services Portsmouth FC|first=Andrew|last=Ormerod|date=9 April 2013|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828232022/http://hoppingaroundhampshire.blogspot.com/2013/04/39-united-services-portsmouth-fc.html|url-status=live}} before the founding of Portsmouth F.C. in 1898.

The nearby Portsmouth Town Hall, only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from Burnaby Road was completed in 1890, and would strike the various Westminster Quarters chimes every quarter hour. Football referees would use the Town Hall's clock bells as a reference to when the football match should end at 4 pm.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Just before 4 pm the crowd of supporters would sing in unison with the Town Hall's chimes on the hour to encourage the referee to blow the whistle to signify full-time.{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} The original words to "The Pompey Chimes" (as printed in the 1900–01 Official Handbook of Portsmouth F.C.), were:

\relative c' {\set Staff.midiInstrument = #"tubular bells" \time 5/4 \key e \major e4 gis fis b,2 | e4 fis gis e2 | gis4 e fis b,2 | b4 fis' gis e2 | R1*5/4\fermata \bar "||" \clef bass \time 4/4 e,1^"Portsmouth Town Hall Chimes (4pm)" | e1| e1 | e1 |}

Play up Pompey,

Just one more goal!

Make tracks! What ho!

Hallo! Hallo!!

With the demise of Royal Artillery (Portsmouth) F.C. after their expulsion from the 1898–99 FA Amateur Cup for alleged professionalism, many of Royal Artillery's supporters switched their allegiance in 1899 to Portsmouth F.C., taking the "Town Hall Chimes" chant and the "Pompey" nickname from Burnaby Road to Fratton Park, a distance of 1.8 miles (2.8 km).

The Pompey Chimes are still sung at Fratton Park today, and have evolved to be sung at a quicker tempo, and with a shortened chime style – usually twice:

\relative c'' {\set Staff.midiInstrument = #"tubular bells" \time 5/4 \key e \major gis4 e fis b,2 | b4 fis' gis e2 | gis4 e fis b,2 | b4 fis' gis e2 |}

Play up Pompey,

Pompey play up!

Play up Pompey,

Pompey play up!

It is most common to hear The Chimes sung by Portsmouth supporters as an encouragement to the Portsmouth team, more specifically before the Portsmouth players take set-piece kicks.

• Home attendance record: 51,385 vs. Derby County, 1948–49, FA Cup fifth round, 26 February 1949, Fratton Park{{Cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/venue/0,19753,11065_74,00.html |title=Portsmouth Factfile |publisher=Sky Sports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321144215/http://www.skysports.com/football/venue/0%2C19753%2C11065_74%2C00.html |archive-date=21 March 2008 |access-date=27 March 2008}}
• Attendance record (neutral venue): 99,370 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 1939 FA Cup final, 29 April 1939, Wembley Stadium
• Current Wembley Stadium attendance record for a football match: 89,874, 2008 FA Cup final, 17 May 2008{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10993576/which-wembley-records-could-tottenham-break-this-season |title=Which Wembley records could Tottenham break this season? |work=Sky Sports |author=Adam Smith |date=18 August 2017 |access-date=18 January 2018 |archive-date=26 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726163950/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/10993576/which-wembley-records-could-tottenham-break-this-season |url-status=live }}
• Record victory: 9–1 vs. Notts County, Second Division, 9 April 1927{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/fratton-flashback-pompeys-record-win-against-notts-county-1188804 |title=Fratton flashback: Pompey's record win against Notts County |publisher=The News |date=19 October 2016 |access-date=23 November 2023}}
• Record defeat: 10–0 vs. Leicester City, First Division, 20 October 1928
• Highest scoring game: 7–4 (11 goals) vs. Reading, Premier League, 29 September 2007
• Most consecutive wins (all competitions): 9 (4 January 2020 – 8 February 2020){{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/matches/results/|title=Matches – Portsmouth|website=www.portsmouthfc.co.uk|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=9 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409101145/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/matches/results/|url-status=live}}
• Most appearances for club: 845, Jimmy Dickinson, 1946–1965{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-66092882 |title=Jimmy Dickinson: Statue of Portsmouth legend set for Fratton Park |author=Josh Wright |publisher=BBC News |access-date=15 October 2023}}
• Most league goals for club: 194, Peter Harris, 1946–1960
• Most league goals in a season: 42, Guy Whittingham, 1992–93{{cite news|url=https://theathletic.com/3135252/2022/02/18/guy-whittingham-i-want-mitrovic-to-break-my-scoring-record/ |title=Guy Whittingham: 'I want Mitrovic to break my scoring record' |author=Peter Rutzler |publisher=The Athletic |date=18 February 2022 |access-date=16 October 2023}}
• Most goals for club: 208, Peter Harris, 1946–1960{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/peter-harris-124780.html |title=Peter Harris |work=the Independent |date=18 January 2003 |access-date=16 October 2023}}
• Most international caps while at club: 48, Jimmy Dickinson (England)
• Transfer record (received): £20 million from Real Madrid for Lassana Diarra, December 2008{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/how-portsmouths-record-ps20m-departure-compares-to-charlton-peterborough-reading-cos-most-expensive-player-sale-in-pictures-4168636 |title=How Portsmouth's record £20m departure compares to Charlton, Peterborough, Reading & Co's most expensive player sale: in pictures |author=Pepe Lacey |publisher=The News |date=4 June 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023}}
• Transfer record (paid): £11 million to Liverpool for Peter Crouch, July 2008{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/how-portsmouths-ps11m-record-purchase-compares-to-derby-reading-charlton-cos-most-expensive-signings-in-pictures-4161138?page=6 |title=How Portsmouth's £11m record purchase compares to Derby, Reading, Charlton & Co's most expensive signings: in pictures |author=Pepe Lacey |publisher=The News |date=29 May 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023}}

To date Portsmouth have played one season in UEFA competitions, competing in the 2008–09 UEFA Cup. They beat Vitória de Guimarães 4–2 on aggregate in the first round.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7615243.stm |title=Portsmouth 2–0 Guimaraes |work=BBC Sport |first=Ian |last=Hughes |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=21 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921081413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7615243.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7639445.stm |title=Guimaraes 2–2 Portsmouth (2–4) |work=BBC Sport |first=Sam |last=Lyon |date=2 October 2008 |access-date=13 April 2021 |archive-date=3 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003113301/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7639445.stm |url-status=live }} In the group stage Portsmouth registered one win along with a draw against A.C. Milan,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7741858.stm |title=Portsmouth 2–2 AC Milan |work=BBC Sport |first=Ian |last=Hughes |date=27 November 2008 |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=14 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814203110/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7741858.stm |url-status=live }} and were knocked out at the group stages after a 3–2 away loss to VfL Wolfsburg.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7750027.stm |title=Wolfsburg 3–2 Portsmouth |work=BBC Sport |first=Matt |last=Newsum |date=4 December 2008 |access-date=12 April 2021 |archive-date=8 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208073823/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7750027.stm |url-status=live }}

For a list of notable players and players who played for Portsmouth for more than 100 games in a sortable-list format, see List of Portsmouth F.C. players.

{{updated|7 February 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/teams |title=Men |publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |access-date=24 August 2024}}

{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=2200c7|color=FFFFFF|border=000}}

{{football squad player|no=2|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Jordan Williams}}

{{football squad player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Connor Ogilvie}}

{{football squad player|no=4|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Ryley Towler}}

{{football squad player|no=5|pos=DF|nat=WAL|name=Regan Poole|other=3rd captain}}

{{football squad player|no=6|pos=DF|nat=IRL|name=Conor Shaughnessy}}

{{football squad player|no=7|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Marlon Pack|other=captain}}

{{football squad player|no=8|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Freddie Potts|other=on loan from West Ham United}}

{{football squad player|no=9|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Colby Bishop|other=4th captain}}

{{football squad player|no=10|pos=FW|nat=AUS|name=Kusini Yengi}}

{{football squad player|no=11|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=Mark O'Mahony|other=on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion}}

{{football squad player|no=13|pos=GK|nat=AUT|name=Nicolas Schmid}}

{{football squad player|no=14|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Kaide Gordon|other=on loan from Liverpool}}

{{football squad player|no=15|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Christian Saydee}}

{{football squad player|no=17|pos=MF|nat=FRA|name=Adil Aouchiche|other=on loan from Sunderland}}

{{football squad player|no=18|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Cohen Bramall}}

{{football squad player|no=19|pos=DF|nat=AUS|name=Jacob Farrell}}

{{football squad player|no=20|pos=FW|nat=AUS|name=Thomas Waddingham}}

{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=2200c7|color=FFFFFF|border=000}}

{{football squad player|no=21|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Andre Dozzell}}

{{football squad player|no=22|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Zak Swanson}}

{{football squad player|no=23|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Josh Murphy}}

{{football squad player|no=24|pos=MF|nat=NIR|name=Terry Devlin}}

{{football squad player|no=25|pos=MF|nat=GUI|name=Abdoulaye Kamara}}

{{football squad player|no=29|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Harvey Blair}}

{{football squad player|no=30|pos=MF|nat=SCO|name=Matt Ritchie|other=vice-captain}}

{{football squad player|no=31|pos=GK|nat=SCO|name=Jordan Archer}}

{{football squad player|no=32|pos=FW|nat=NIR|name=Paddy Lane}}

{{football squad player|no=33|pos=GK|nat=ENG|name=Toby Steward}}

{{football squad player|no=34|pos=DF|nat=SCO|name=Ibane Bowat}}

{{football squad player|no=35|pos=DF|nat=ENG|name=Rob Atkinson|other=on loan from Bristol City}}

{{football squad player|no=36|pos=GK|nat=ENG|name=Ben Killip}}

{{football squad player|no=37|pos=DF|nat=SWE|name=Alexander Milošević}}

{{football squad player|no=41|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Harry Clout}}

{{football squad player|no=44|nat=AUS|pos=DF|name=Hayden Matthews}}

{{football squad player|no=45|pos=MF|nat=JAM|name=Isaac Hayden|other=on loan from Newcastle United}}

{{football squad player|no=49|pos=FW|nat=ENG|name=Callum Lang}}

{{fs end}}

{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=2200c7|color=FFFFFF|border=000}}

{{football squad player|no=16|pos=DF|nat=SCO|name=Tom McIntyre|other=to Charlton Athletic until 30 June 2025}}

{{football squad player|no=26|pos=MF|nat=WAL|name=Tom Lowery|other=to Crewe Alexandra until 30 June 2025}}

{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=2200c7|color=FFFFFF|border=000}}

{{football squad player|no=27|pos=FW|nat=IRL|name=Anthony Scully|other=to Colchester United until 30 June 2025}}

{{football squad player|no=28|pos=MF|nat=ENG|name=Reuben Swann|other=to Havant & Waterlooville until 30 June 2025}}

{{fs end}}

{{Main|Portsmouth F.C. Reserves and Academy}}

• Number 1 was temporarily retired for the 2001–02 season in respect to goalkeeper Aaron Flahavan, who died in a car crash in August 2001, days after being handed the squad number 1 for the first time.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/aug/07/newsstory.sport7 |title=Pompey retire Flahavan's shirt for season |work=The Guardian |date=7 August 2001 |access-date=23 November 2023}} Since the 2003–04 season, number 13 shirt was reserved in respect for him, as this was the number he wore for the majority of his stay at the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=165298|title=There's only one No.13|work=VitalFootball.co.uk|author=Chix|date=10 August 2009|access-date=18 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814192126/http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=165298|archive-date=14 August 2009|url-status=dead}} Ten years after his death, however, the number 13 was again used.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}
• Number 12 is the number reserved for the Portsmouth fans, regarding the fans as the twelfth player.
• Number 58 is "Nelson", the club mascot's number.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/pompeynelson?lang=en |title=Nelson/58 |work=twitter.com |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307122614/https://twitter.com/pompeynelson?lang=en |url-status=live }}

Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/portsmouth-player-of-the-year/|title=Portsmouth Player of the Year 1968-2021|access-date=15 September 2020|archive-date=23 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023213219/https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/portsmouth-player-of-the-year/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Bazunu Named Players' Player Of The Season |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/bazunu-named-players-player-of-the-season/ |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=www.portsmouthfc.co.uk |language=en-gb |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502143750/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/bazunu-named-players-player-of-the-season/ |url-status=live }}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• 1968 – {{flagicon|England}} Ray Pointer
• 1969 – {{flagicon|England}} John Milkins
• 1970 – {{flagicon|England}} Nicky Jennings
• 1971 – {{flagicon|England}} David Munks
• 1972 – {{flagicon|England}} Richie Reynolds
• 1973 – N/A
• 1974 – {{flagicon|England}} Paul Went
• 1975 – {{flagicon|England}} Mick Mellows
• 1976 – {{flagicon|England}} Paul Cahill
• 1977 – N/A
• 1978 – N/A
• 1979 – {{flagicon|England}} Peter Mellor
• 1980 – {{flagicon|England}} Joe Laidlaw
• 1981 – N/A
• 1982 – {{flagicon|England}} Alan Knight
• 1983 – {{flagicon|England}} Alan Biley
• 1984 – {{flagicon|England}} Mark Hateley
• 1985 – {{flagicon|England}} Neil Webb
• 1986 – {{flagicon|Jamaica}} Noel Blake
• 1987 – {{flagicon|Jamaica}} Noel Blake
• 1988 – {{flagicon|Wales}} Barry Horne
• 1989 – {{flagicon|England}} Micky Quinn
• 1990 – {{flagicon|England}} Guy Whittingham
• 1991 – {{flagicon|England}} Martin Kuhl
• 1992 – {{flagicon|England}} Darren Anderton
• 1993 – {{flagicon|England}} Paul Walsh
• 1994 – {{flagicon|Wales}} Kit Symons
• 1995 – {{flagicon|England}} Alan Knight
• 1996 – {{flagicon|England}} Alan Knight
• 1997 – {{flagicon|England}} Lee Bradbury
• 1998 – {{flagicon|England}} Andy Awford
• 1999 – {{flagicon|England}} Steve Claridge
• 2000 – {{flagicon|England}} Steve Claridge
• 2001 – {{flagicon|England}} Scott Hiley
• 2002 – {{flagicon|England}} Peter Crouch
• 2003 – {{flagicon|England}} Linvoy Primus
• 2004 – {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Arjan de Zeeuw
• 2005 – {{flagicon|Serbia and Montenegro}} Dejan Stefanović
• 2006 – {{flagicon|England}} Gary O'Neil
• 2007 – {{flagicon|England}} David James
• 2008 – {{flagicon|England}} David James
• 2009 – {{flagicon|England}} Glen Johnson
• 2010 – {{flagicon|England}} Jamie O'Hara
• 2011 – {{flagicon|England}} Hayden Mullins
• 2012 – {{flagicon|Portugal}} Ricardo Rocha
• 2013 – {{flagicon|Austria}} Johannes Ertl
• 2014 – {{flagicon|England}} Ricky Holmes
• 2015 – {{flagicon|England}} Jed Wallace
• 2016 – {{flagicon|Ireland}} Michael Doyle
• 2017 – {{flagicon|Ireland}} Enda Stevens
• 2018 – {{flagicon|England}} Matt Clarke
• 2019 – {{flagicon|England}} Matt Clarke
• 2020 – {{flagicon|England}} Christian Burgess
• 2021 – {{flagicon|Scotland}} Craig MacGillivray
• 2022 – {{flagicon|England}} Sean Raggett
• 2023 – {{flagicon|England}} Colby Bishop
• 2024 – {{flagicon|England}} Marlon Pack

{{div col end}}

Portsmouth created a Hall of Fame in March 2009, which honours former players and staff members of the club.{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/hall-of-fame-five-more-inductees-1197989.aspx|title=Hall of Fame: Five More Inductees|publisher=Portsmouth F.C.|date=27 November 2013|access-date=2 December 2013|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034114/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/hall-of-fame-five-more-inductees-1197989.aspx|url-status=live}} At a year-by-year ceremony, the club holds a day to announce the year's inducted to the list, and also has a dinner for the people present.

The following players have been inducted into the Portsmouth Football Club Hall of Fame:

All appearances and goals according to Soccerbase. * Denotes player for Portsmouth FC Women

Key:

{{Main|Portsmouth F.C. Women}}

The club's female counterpart is Portsmouth Women, which was founded in 1987.{{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/teams/pompey-women/ |title=Pompey Women |website=Portsmouth FC |access-date=16 October 2023}} The team currently competes in the FA Women's National League South and play at Havant & Waterlooville's stadium. Following the takeover of the club by the Portsmouth Supporters Trust, it was announced that there would be closer ties between the men's and women's clubs.

On 5 June 2023, Portsmouth announced that their women's team would integrate under The Tornate Company, meaning the side would be turning semi-professional for the first time in the club's history.{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2023/june/portsmouth-fc-women-statement/ |title=Portsmouth FC Women Statement |publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |date=5 June 2023 |access-date=16 October 2023}}

Source:{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/club/personnel/|title=Club Personnel|publisher=Portsmouth Football Club|access-date=16 July 2019|archive-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626021348/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/club/personnel/|url-status=dead}}

{{Fb cs header}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Chairman |s=Michael Eisner}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Directors board |s=Michael Eisner
Eric Eisner
Breck Eisner
Anders Eisner
Andy Redman}}
Mark Catlin

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=CEO |s= Andrew Cullen}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Sporting director |s= Richard Hughes}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Manager |s={{flagicon|ENG}} John Mousinho}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Assistant manager |s={{flagicon|ENG}} Jon Harley}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=First team development coach |s={{flagicon|PAK}} Zesh Rehman}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Goalkeeping coach |s={{flagicon|ENG}} Joe Prodomo}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head physio |s= Bobby Bacic}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Physio |s=Jack Hughes}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head of sport science |s= Miles Littlechild}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head of recruitment |s= Phil Boardman}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Head of performance analysis |s= Dan Ashby}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Kit manager |s= Vacant}}

{{Fb cs staff |bg=y |p=Mascots |s= Nelson & Pompey Sailor}}

|}

{{Further|List of Portsmouth F.C. managers}}

Portsmouth Football Club has operated under five different parent company names in its history:

• Portsmouth Football and Athletic Company Limited (5 April 1898 – 27 July 1912)
• Portsmouth Football Club Limited (27 July 1912 – 12 May 1999){{cite web |url=https://companycheck.co.uk/company/00123460/PORTSMOUTH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |title=Portsmouth Football Club Limited |work=Company Check |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=15 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015192259/https://companycheck.co.uk/company/00123460/PORTSMOUTH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |url-status=live }} (initially as 'Portsmouth Football Company Limited' from 27 July 1912 until 23 January 1989 when name officially changed to 'Portsmouth Football Club Limited'){{cite web|url=https://www.companysearchesmadesimple.com/company/uk/00123460/portsmouth-football-club-limited/#summary|title=Portsmouth Football Club Limited|work=Company Check|access-date=4 October 2022|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004100802/https://www.companysearchesmadesimple.com/company/uk/00123460/portsmouth-football-club-limited/#summary|url-status=live}}
• Portsmouth City Football Club Limited (12 May 1999 – 25 May 2010){{cite web |url=https://companycheck.co.uk/company/03747237/PORTSMOUTH-CITY-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |title=Portsmouth City Football Club Limited |work=Company Check |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032628/https://companycheck.co.uk/company/03747237/PORTSMOUTH-CITY-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |url-status=live }} (initially as 'Overflint Limited' from 7 April 1999 – 12 May 1999)
• Portsmouth Football Club (2010) Limited (25 May 2010 – 10 April 2013){{cite web |url=https://companycheck.co.uk/company/07264768/PORTSMOUTH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-2010-LIMITED/companies-house-data |title=Portsmouth Football Club (2010) Limited |work=Company Check |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116202530/https://companycheck.co.uk/company/07264768/PORTSMOUTH-FOOTBALL-CLUB-2010-LIMITED/companies-house-data |url-status=live }} (initially as 'PFC Realisations Limited' from 25 May 2010 – 23 November 2010)
• Portsmouth Community Football Club Limited (10 April 2013 – present){{cite web |url=https://companycheck.co.uk/company/07940335/PORTSMOUTH-COMMUNITY-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |title=Portsmouth Community Football Club Limited |work=Company Check |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=16 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016034205/https://companycheck.co.uk/company/07940335/PORTSMOUTH-COMMUNITY-FOOTBALL-CLUB-LIMITED/companies-house-data |url-status=live }} (initially as 'Portsmouth Supporters Trust (Operations) Limited' from 7 February 2012 – 14 September 2012)

The current owner of Portsmouth Community Football Club Limited is The Tornante Company, which purchased the club from the Portsmouth Supporters Trust (PST) on 3 August 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/tornante-company-complete-purchase-of-portsmouth-fc/ |title=Tornante Company Complete Purchase Of Portsmouth FC |work=Portsmouth F.C. |date=3 August 2017 |access-date=18 January 2019 |archive-date=2 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802011628/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2017/august/tornante-company-complete-purchase-of-portsmouth-fc/ |url-status=live }}

Portsmouth have had a long-standing relationship with Havant & Waterlooville, with regular pre-season friendlies organised between the two clubs.{{cite news|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/paul-doswell-hoping-to-strengthen-relationship-between-portsmouth-and-havant-waterlooville-975759 |title=Paul Doswell hoping to strengthen relationship between Portsmouth and Havant & Waterlooville |author=Will Rooney |publisher=The News |date=10 May 2019 |access-date=16 October 2023}} Portsmouth have also previously used West Leigh Park, Havant & Waterlooville's home stadium, for reserve team matches. Previous links with Belgian side Zulte Waregem{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=554308&sec=england&cc=5739 |title=Portsmouth strike deal with Zulte Waregem |publisher=ESPN FC |date=9 July 2008 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102105847/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=554308&sec=england&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }} and Irish academy Home Farm{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=144840|title=Pompey announce link-up with Home Farm|publisher=portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk|date=23 February 2009|access-date=1 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401140424/http://www.portsmouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=144840|archive-date=1 April 2012|url-status=dead}} have been cancelled.

Portsmouth have developed a relationship with Gosport Borough after their promotion to the Conference South. Portsmouth fans were encouraged to support Gosport in their FA Trophy final match at Wembley in March 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/blues-backing-borough-1430566.aspx?pd=635308236000000000 |title=Blues Backing Borough |publisher=Portsmouth F.C. |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205093641/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/article/blues-backing-borough-1430566.aspx?pd=635308236000000000 |url-status=live}} They also play friendlies and loan out players to the side.

Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/club/history/ |title=History |website=Portsmouth FC.co.uk |access-date=22 June 2017 |archive-date=6 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606055842/https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/club/history/ |url-status=dead}}

Portsmouth are one of only five English football clubs to have been champions of all four tiers of the professional English football pyramid.{{cite web|url=https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/who-we-are/history/ |title=History |website=Portsmouth FC |access-date=16 October 2023}}

League

• First Division (tier 1)
• Champions: 1948–49, 1949–50
• Second Division / First Division (tier 2)
• Champions: 2002–03
• Runners-up: 1926–27, 1986–87
• Third Division South / Third Division / League One (tier 3)
• Champions: 1923–24, 1961–62, 1982–83, 2023–24
• Fourth Division / League Two (tier 4)
• Champions: 2016–17
• Promoted: 1979–80
• Southern League First Division
• Champions: 1901–02, 1919–20
• Western League First Division
• Champions: 1900–01, 1901–02, 1902–03

Cup

• FA Cup
• Winners: 1938–39, 2007–08
• Runners-up: 1928–29, 1933–34, 2009–10
• FA Charity Shield / Community Shield
• Winners: 1949 (shared)
• Runners-up: 2008
• EFL Trophy
• Winners: 2018–19
• Runners-up: 2019–20
• Hampshire Senior Cup
• Winners: 1902–03, 1912–13, 1951–52, 1986–87

{{reflist}}

• {{cite book

| first=Colin |last=Farmery

| title=Portsmouth: From Tindall to Ball – A Complete Record

| publisher=Desert Island Books

| year=1999

| isbn=1-874287-25-2|ref=none}}

• {{cite book

| first=Colin |last=Farmery

| title=Seventeen Miles From Paradise – Saints v Pompey: Passion, Pride and Prejudice

| publisher=Desert Island Books

| year=2004

| isbn=1-874287-89-9|ref=none}}

• {{cite book

| first=Colin |last=Farmery

| title=Portsmouth: the Modern Era – a Complete Record

| publisher=Desert Island Books

| year=2005

| isbn=1-905328-08-7|ref=none}}

• {{cite book| first = Simon | last = Inglis | title = Football Grounds of Britain | year = 1996 | publisher = Collins Willow | isbn = 0-00-218426-5 }}
• {{cite book

| first1=Cass |last1=Pennant|first2=Rob |last2=Silvester

| title=Rolling with the 6.57 Crew – The True Story of Pompey's Legendary Football Fans

| publisher=John Blake Publishing

| year=2004

| isbn=1-84454-072-3|ref=none}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/}}

{{Portsmouth F.C.}}

{{EFL Championship}}

{{Premier League}}

{{EFL League One}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Portal bar|English football}}

Category:1898 establishments in England

Category:Association football clubs established in 1898

Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom

Category:English Football League clubs

Category:FA Cup winners

Category:EFL Trophy winners

Category:Football clubs in England

Category:Football clubs in Hampshire

Category:Premier League clubs

Category:Southern Football League clubs

Category:Sport in Portsmouth