Indeed, the summer of 2021 would be characterised by a seemingly endless procession of unknown faces, many of which turned out during the Blues’ friendly campaign.
While the likes of Gassan Ahadme, Jay Mingi and Jayden Reid remained, others had to go elsewhere in the hunt for a new football club.
You may not recall many of them, but the following 10 players all trained – and played – for Pompey under Danny Cowley in July 2021...
. Aston Villa's Taylor Jay-Hart (left) and Burton Albion's Ryan Leak battle for the ball during the Papa John's Trophy, Southern Group C match at Pirelli Stadium, Burton. Picture date: Tuesday October 5, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Burton. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
Ryan Leak spent time on trial at Fratton Park in the summer of 2021, eventually earning moves to Burton (pictured) and Salford. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire. Photo: Nick Potts
. Sean Goss
Arrived as a Pompey triallist following his release from Shrewsbury but, after being unsuccessful, joined Motherwell in August 2021. Signing a two-year deal with the Scottish Premiership side, he has gone on to feature 74 times, scoring twice, as a pivotal member of their midfield. In March 2023, Goss was called-up into Northern Ireland’s squad for the first time and is currently in talks with Motherwell over a new contract. Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Photo: Ian MacNicol
. Elijah Dixon-Bonner
The midfielder returned to Liverpool after failing to earn a Pompey deal and saw out the season with the Premier League giants, featuring twice in 2021-22. He started their third round FA Cup clash with Shrewsbury in January 2022, while came off the bench in the Carabao Cup at Preston in October 2021. Released by the Anfield club last summer, he signed for QPR in October 2022 following a successful trial. Dixon-Bonner made his Football League debut in March 2023 when he appeared as an 82nd-minute substitute against Birmingham. Picture: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Photo: Andrew Powell
5. Ryan Leak
Joined Pompey’s League One rivals Burton on a free transfer in July 2021, going on to make 22 appearances and score once in the 2021-22. His displays caught the eye of Salford, who paid an undisclosed fee to sign the central defender in July 2022. Leak was a regular in this season’s League Two side, featuring 47 times and scoring twice, although was unused on the bench for both legs of their play-off semi-final defeat to Stockport. Picture: Pete Norton/Getty Images Photo: Pete Norton
6. Sam Habergham
A former Lincoln player under Danny Cowley, the left-back joined Australian side Peninsula Power in February 2022 and last summer joined non-league Wealdstone. He went on to make 36 appearances for the Royals as they finished 13th in the National League. The 31-year-old is currently in contract talks over remaining at Wealdstone. Picture: Joe Portlock/Getty Images Photo: Joe Portlock
7. Madger Gomes
The former Doncaster man signed as a free agent for Crewe in September 2021 on a two-year deal. However, he would make just 11 appearances as the Railwaymen were relegated from League One in 2021-22 and his contract was cancelled by mutual consent. Last summer, the Spaniard moved to UAE First Division side Fursan Hispania Picture: James Chance/Getty Images Photo: James Chance
8. Ludwig Francillette
The former Newcastle player was unsuccessful in his Fratton Park trial and in August 2021 moved to Crawley on a two-year deal. The defender has gone on to make 59 appearances and score twice for the League Two club, featuring in the same team as another Pompey triallist, Corey Addai. The Guadeloupean is now searching for a new club having been released last month following Crawley’s successful battle against relegation. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Photo: Pete Norton