The landmark date when Premier League chiefs condemned Portsmouth to relegation

Docked nine points having entered administration the previous month, Avram Grant’s side were left 17 points from safety with nine league games remaining.

The Blues, who were already bottom of the league, were officially relegated just three weeks later – 24 hours before their FA Cup semi-final against Spurs at Wembley.

Pompey had become the first side in Premier League history to suffer administration, with administrators UHY Hacker Young and Andrew Andronikou stepping in to oversee its rescue.

However, following talks between Andronikou and the Premier League on March 17, 2010, a subsequent statement from league chiefs was released.

It read: ‘Following the High Court’s decision that Portsmouth Football Club’s administration is valid, the Premier League board convened to apply the league’s rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency.

‘As a result, Portsmouth Football Club has been deducted nine points with immediate effect.

‘As part of this process, the Board met with the administrator to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments.’

Ultimately, Grant’s side finished bottom with 19 points from 38 matches, taking into account the nine-point deduction.

Pompey, however, did reach the 2010 FA Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Chelsea in May 2010.