It has been quite a journey, with two league titles and the Checkatrade Trophy to show for an exile that began in 2012 with relegation under Michael Appleton.
There have also been plenty of gutting lows during the long battle to return to the Championship – and not just restricted to awful owners and High Court battles.
So here’s a list of the 20 worst Pompey matches since leaving the Championship – in no particular order...
17. Pompey 1 Oxford United 4 (August 3, 2013)
The opening day of the 2013-14 season created the iconic Ours photograph for the visit of Oxford United, however on the pitch the occasion turned out to be a disaster. Patrick Agyemang got Guy Whittingham's team off to the perfect start, yet two goals in four minutes from the visitors turned the game on its head and the Blues went in at the break 2-1 down. Following Johnny Ertl's sending off, Pompey imploded, with two further Oxford goals as they ran out 4-1 winners on a miserable beginning to the new campaign. Picture: Oliver Zee Photo: Oliver Zee
18. Plymouth 3 Pompey 0 (November 15, 2014)
Andy Awford's controversial decision to hand son Nick a full debut in the centre of midfield in the televised clash at Plymouth backfired spectacularly. The Blues were 3-0 down after 30 minutes with the match effectively dead and buried during a dreadful first-half showing from the visiting team. Awford was substituted on 60 minutes and never played for Pompey again. Picture: Joe Pepler Photo: Joe Pepler
19. Pompey 0 Crewe 1 (March 4, 2017)
A dismal home defeat to Crewe saw some fans turn on Paul Cook and also the manager questioning his own future. The Blues were one place outside the promotion places heading into the clash with the League Two strugglers, only to slump to a 1-0 loss courtesy of George Ray's 77th-minute winner. It was a shocking display, yet curiously that seasonal low would spark a change in the Blues' fortunes as they went on to claim the title. Picture: Joe Pepler Photo: Joe Pepler
20. Pompey 0 Ipswich 4 (October 20, 2021)
Returning former Pompey boss Paul Cook masterminded a 4-0 hammering as Ipswich ran riot against the hapless Blues. Already 1-0 down, two goals in four second-half minutes condemned Danny Cowley's men to an embarrassing defeat, with Wes Burns later adding to the Tractor Men's tally. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages Photo: Graham Hunt