Paul Cook’s men were in the midst of a flying finish to their League Two season, which would produce 10 wins and a draw from 12 games – culminating in their unforgettable final-day title win.
But where are the heroes of 2017 today? Their careers have taken very varied paths, but we’ve done our homework to unearth the whereabouts of every player who was named in a squad during that amazing sequence of successes.
A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron
You can support our local team of expert Pompey writers by subscribing here for all the latest news from Fratton Park for less than 25p per week.
. PORTSMOUTH, UK, 6TH MAY, 2017. Portsmouth’s David Forde and Portsmouth’s Enda Stevens celebrate winning the Title the Sky Bet League 2 match between Portsmouth and Cheltenham Town at Fratton Park, Portsmouth, England on 6 May 2017. Photo by Joe Pepler/Digital South.
Enda Stevens won the League Two title in his final Pompey appearance in May 2017. Picture: Joe Pepler/Digital South Photo: Joe Pepler
. David Forde
The tough Irish man played a pivotal role in Pompey’s promotion success in League Two during the 2016-17 season. Arriving on loan from Millwall, he went on to play 47 times for Paul Cook’s side, asserting his dominance between the sticks as well as in the dressing room. He would later be released by Millwall and went on to play for Cambridge before retiring in 2019. Not a mental and wellness coach for Republic of Ireland international set-up Photo: Joe Pepler
. Liam O'Brien
The shot-stopper came through the ranks at Pompey but was released by the Blues in 2010. He returned to PO4 in 2016 as back up to David Forde but only made three appearances - all of which came in the EFL Trophy. Following Pompey’s promotion he was released in 2017 and joined Coventry making 19 appearances in two seasons. He is currently at Stratford Town in the Southern League. Photo: Joe Pepler
. Tom Davies
The 29-year-old spent one season on the south coast making 17 appearances, which included helping Paul Cook’s side to promotion in 2017. He failed to be a part of Kenny Jacett’s plans and would make a deadline day move to Coventry before going on to play for Bristol Rovers, Barrow and now Tranmere. Photo: Joe Pepler
. Enda Stevens
Stevens was a key part of Pompey’s success under Paul Cook. The Republic of Ireland international was awarded Pompey’s player of the season award in 2017 at the end of the title-winning campaign, but would leave for free that summer and has since gone onto play Premier League football with Sheffield United - where he's just returned from injury. Photo: Joe Pepler
. Matt Clarke
Clarke initially arrived on loan from Ipswich in 2015 but would go on to join permanently a year later and would spend a total of four years at Fratton Park. class operator made a big-money-move to Brighton in 2019, and has since had two loan spells at Derby and is currently on loan at West Brom. Photo: Joe Pepler
. Danny Rose
Rose helped Pompey win League Two in his first season in PO4 as a popular figure and was able to build a strong partnership with Michael Doyle in midfield. After infrequent game time when Kenny Jackett arrived, Rose left for Swindon before joining Grimsby. Following relegation with to the National League with the Mariners, the 33-year-old fell out of favour with boss Paul Hirst and is now on loan at National League North side Darlington. Photo: JPI Media
. Carl Baker
The right-midfielder played 45 times in Pompey’s successful League Two campaign and was a key part of the first team. However, following Kenny Jackett’s appointment in 2017, Baker would only go on to play four times before he left for India the same summer. An unsuccessful spell in India for ATK ensued and a return to Coventry has since seen the 38-year-old play for Nuneaton Borough along with his son. Assistant manager at Telford, runs a football academy, a keen nutritionist and personal trainer. Photo: None
. Michael Doyle
Doyle was made captain when he signed for the club and was a prominent figure in the dressing room. After leading Pompey to the League Two title, the Irishman returned to Coventry and helped them to promotion from the same division. Doyle retired earlier this year following a spell at Notts County where the 40 year old is now assistant head coach. Photo: Joe Pepler
1. David Forde
The tough Irish man played a pivotal role in Pompey’s promotion success in League Two during the 2016-17 season. Arriving on loan from Millwall, he went on to play 47 times for Paul Cook’s side, asserting his dominance between the sticks as well as in the dressing room. He would later be released by Millwall and went on to play for Cambridge before retiring in 2019. Not a mental and wellness coach for Republic of Ireland international set-up Photo: Joe Pepler
2. Liam O'Brien
The shot-stopper came through the ranks at Pompey but was released by the Blues in 2010. He returned to PO4 in 2016 as back up to David Forde but only made three appearances - all of which came in the EFL Trophy. Following Pompey’s promotion he was released in 2017 and joined Coventry making 19 appearances in two seasons. He is currently at Stratford Town in the Southern League. Photo: Joe Pepler
3. Tom Davies
The 29-year-old spent one season on the south coast making 17 appearances, which included helping Paul Cook’s side to promotion in 2017. He failed to be a part of Kenny Jacett’s plans and would make a deadline day move to Coventry before going on to play for Bristol Rovers, Barrow and now Tranmere. Photo: Joe Pepler
4. Enda Stevens
Stevens was a key part of Pompey’s success under Paul Cook. The Republic of Ireland international was awarded Pompey’s player of the season award in 2017 at the end of the title-winning campaign, but would leave for free that summer and has since gone onto play Premier League football with Sheffield United - where he's just returned from injury. Photo: Joe Pepler