From Fratton Park to Papua New Guinea - the gruelling miles Portsmouth need to master to get out of League One

But the football gods have once again been unkind to the Blues when deciding the make-up of League One next term.

And that means Kenny Jackett’s men will clock up even more miles as they bid to make it to the Championship at the fourth attempt.

In doing so they will need to cope better with them than they did last term, with nine league away defeats the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs.

Fans are waiting for the green light to begin attending matches again amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the team will clock up a total of 8,616 miles making it to every away ground - the equivalent of driving from Fratton Park to Papua New Guinea!

That total is 265 up on the grounds last term, although the original total of 8,863 was reduced after Bury were expelled from the league.

But with the make-up of the division decided after the dramatic conclusion to the Championship on Thursday night, the reality is there some more gruelling trips for players and fans to consider.

It remains to be seen when fans - and away fans in particular - will be able to attend matches with November mooted as the month of a possible return.

There’s some new lengthy trips to weigh up, however, none more than the 554 mile round-trip to take on Hull at the home for the first time since 2011, after they finished bottom of the pile in the second tier.

That total comes in 125 miles short of the epic trek to Sunderland and back which is the longest away day of the season once again.

Fans will be hoping they are given the green light to attend matches by the time, 12-point deduction appeal permitting, Paul Cook and Wigan welcome Pompey again (494 miles).

The battle along the country roads to Plymouth means a 344 mile return journey after their promotion, while Crewe is 427 miles there and back.

Tranmere’s relegation saves 511 miles while Northampton (262) Charlton (206) and Swindon (170 miles) represent relatively short hops.

But if Pompey are to finally get out of this division they will have to do so clocking up more miles than they have for many of their recent seasons.

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