The names Matt Clarke, Christian Burgess and Jack Whatmough instantly spring to mind for many but there have been other defenders who have gone on to have successful careers.
However there have been other career paths for others, who have gone into coaching and technical roles.
And no doubt there’s been a few who wore royal blue who slipped your minds...
We take a look at where Pompey’s 23 central defenders over the past decade have ended up.
Here’s what we found.
. Portsmouth’s Christian Burgess and Portsmouth’s Adam Webster celebrate goal by Portsmouth’s Matt Tubbs during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Cambridge Utd and Portsmouth, Abbey Stadium, Cambridge, England, 10th October 2015.
Christian Burgess has been one of Pompey's top defenders over the past decade. Photo: Joe Pepler
. Jason Pearce
The 34-year-old came through the ranks at Fratton Park and made 44 appearances during his first two senior seasons. He would later play for Leeds and Wigan before joining Charlton where he is currently captain at the Valley. Photo: Barry Zee
. Greg Halford
Halford spent two seasons on the south coast, making 57 outings in Blue, scoring seven goals. The 37-year-old left following relegation to League One and went on to play for several clubs including; Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Birmingham. He has since expressed a desire to return to Fratton Park. Photo: Steve Reid
. Ricardo Rocha
A fans' favourite amongst many, the former Portuguese international made 97 appearances over three seasons and stayed at the club despite relegation to League One. Pompey would be his final club as he retired in 2013 after a 12 year career. Photo: Barry Zee
. Karim Rekik
The 27-year-old arrived on a half season loan from Man City and played eight times for Pompey, he has since gone onto have a successful career in Europe making outings for PSV, Marsellie and Hertha Berlin. He is currently playing in Spain for Sevilla where he regularly plays Champions League football. Picture: Steve Reid(121306-1277) Photo: Steve Reid
. Gabor Gyepes
The former Hungarian international spent a single season at Fratton Park playing 37 times, scoring in four of them. After leaving Pompey in 2013, he would go on to play for Hungarian sides, Feherver, Soroksar and TVE Budapest. Photo: Sarah Standing
. Kevin Long
Long spent two months on loan on the south coast from Burnley, just managing to notch up five outings before returning to Turf Moore in October 2013. He would go on to have loan spells at Barnsley and MK Dons and is still on the books at the Clarets, although he hasn’t featured this season. Photo: Allan Hutchings
. Sam Sodje
Sodje was known for his association with controversial match-fixing allegations after being sent off in a 1-0 defeat at Oldham. Those allegations were later dropped. The 41-year-old spent just two months at Fratton Park making nine appearances. Photo: The News
. Ben Chorley
The 39-year-old spent 18 months on the south coast making 31 outings between January 2014 - June 2015. He would later play for Stevenge and Bromley and last year became Director of Football at Swindon. Photo: Joe Pepler
1. Jason Pearce
The 34-year-old came through the ranks at Fratton Park and made 44 appearances during his first two senior seasons. He would later play for Leeds and Wigan before joining Charlton where he is currently captain at the Valley. Photo: Barry Zee
2. Greg Halford
Halford spent two seasons on the south coast, making 57 outings in Blue, scoring seven goals. The 37-year-old left following relegation to League One and went on to play for several clubs including; Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Birmingham. He has since expressed a desire to return to Fratton Park. Photo: Steve Reid
3. Ricardo Rocha
A fans' favourite amongst many, the former Portuguese international made 97 appearances over three seasons and stayed at the club despite relegation to League One. Pompey would be his final club as he retired in 2013 after a 12 year career. Photo: Barry Zee
4. Karim Rekik
The 27-year-old arrived on a half season loan from Man City and played eight times for Pompey, he has since gone onto have a successful career in Europe making outings for PSV, Marsellie and Hertha Berlin. He is currently playing in Spain for Sevilla where he regularly plays Champions League football. Picture: Steve Reid(121306-1277) Photo: Steve Reid