However, remarkably, with two matches to spare, John Mousinho’s men stayed up following an Easter Monday victory over Watford at Fratton Park.
Ultimately, the Blues finished 16th in the Championship – five points above the relegation zone – for a fine finish back at this level after a 12-year absence.
And here are Neil Allen’s ratings for each Pompey player for the 2024-25 season...
13. Ryley Towler - 7
(14 games, 1 goal) It’s impossible not to feel sorry for the likeable defender who started the first month of the campaign in the first-team, only to never play again after the 5-1 humbling at West Brom in January. The signing of Atkinson and Milosevic, and various centre-half rivals returning from injury, dropped Towler well down the pecking order and, for a second year running, he was starved of games. Brutal truth is he will have to look elsewhere for matches next season. Photo: Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
14. Tom McIntyre - 6
(13 games) Has ended the season on loan at Charlton, with the League One play-offs to contend. Returned from seven months out injured to make 10 successive appearances from September, but, like Poole, his form dipped. A disappointing showing in the 4-0 defeat at Derby in December, when absolutely nothing went right for him, represented his last Pompey league game this season. Deserves credit for a man-of-the-match display at QPR, but has now dropped well out of the reckoning. Photo: Jason Brown
15. Alexander Milosevic
(0 games) Signed in March on a free transfer to bolster centre-half options, only to collect a calf injury ahead of a potential debut against Coventry. That ended the Swedish international’s season prematurely. Photo: Portsmouth FC
16. Conor Shaughnessy - 7.5
(9 games, 1 goal) Pompey’s best defender in the League One title-winning season endured an injury-ravaged campaign, including issues to both calves and a hamstring. To add to a year to forget, Shaughnessy was also the subject of ludicrous rumours and conspiracies over why he wasn’t featuring. Reassuringly, however, on his rare outings, he looked every inch a Championship centre-half and a fully-fit Shaughnessy will be crucial next season. Photo: Jason Brown