And the club's newly-crowned longest-serving player admits the abdication of Gary O'Neil has left him choked.

The pair have become best friends in the time that has elapsed since Primus' summer arrival from Reading back in 2000.

It was a companionship which saw them fight side-by-side in the division-one relegation battles before Redknapp led them to the Premier League.

Now the 33-year-old has been left without his Blues sibling following O'Neil's Middlesbrough departure.

And while a number of Pompey's fans may have been annoyed at the decision, none was more upset than Primus.

He said: 'Now Gary's bailed, I've been here the longest.

'Someone told me that the other day, although I've never looked at it in that way before.

'He's been like a little brother to me and I'll really miss him.

'We roomed together, we've got the same taste in music.

'He likes his golf a little bit more than me, but we've grown close.

'I suppose because he's a familiar face and has been at the club for a little while we have built up a friendship and a relationship that goes beyond football.

'I've seen him develop as a player. I've seen his lows and I've seen his highs and we've been through a lot.

'I saw him last Saturday to say goodbye and it was sad.

'His wife Donna and my wife get on really well, and it was upsetting for them as well.

'It's difficult because you know you are not going to see each other for a little while.

'I'm sure we will see each other at some point – and it will be more quality rather than meeting up every day, it's still sad though.

'Things move on and you have got to accept that in football, you don't hold onto things because things change so quickly.
'It's still sad, though.'

O'Neil has embarked for a new life in the north-east after 10 years at Fratton Park.

Yet while his absence will be strongly felt by Primus, he doesn't think it's doom and gloom.

He added: 'I'm actually so pleased Gary has got this move – I think for his career it's a fresh challenge.

'I know it will upset a few supporters that he's gone, but the reality is in terms of his career, in the long run it's a big chance for him.

'It's a chance to show others what he can do and I really hope he's a success.

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