After spending 12 years outside of the Championship, Portsmouth will finally return to the second tier next season after winning the League One title. The Portsmouth fans have been through a lot since that relegation in April 2012, but they’ve been the best team in League One by some distance this season with John Mousinho’s side doing enough to get the title wrapped up with two games still to play.
Pompey fans won’t have great memories of their last season in the Championship, of course. It was a turbulent season off the pitch to say the very least, and it all came to an end at the City Ground on April 28 as a Dextor Blackstock brace gave Nottingham Forest a 2-0 win over Michael Appleton’s Portsmouth on the final day of the season. But, what became of the side that represented Portsmouth that day? We take a look.
5. Ricardo Rocha
Portsmouth was the last stop in the now 45-year-old's illustrious professional career, leaving the club in 2013 and stepping into retirement. | Getty Images
6. Ashley Harris
Harris was another who came through the youth system at Portsmouth, but he struggled for traction in the professional game. He made 35 appearances for Pompey before moving on to Gosport Borough in 2014 before represented Horndean and Moneyfields. He returned to the game this season to represent Bosham in the Southern Combination Football League. Photo: Allan Hutchings
7. Kelvin Etuhu
The Nigerian only had half a season with Pompey and despite expressing his willingness to stick around, he left the club after relegation to join Barnsley. Etuhu had two years at Oakwell before representing Bury and Carlisle United before his retirement in 2020. | Getty Images
8. David Norris
Norris was another who joined Leeds after Portsmouth's relegation. He struggled at Elland Road, though, and never really recovered after a long period of inactivity. He joined Peterborough United in 2015 before playing for Blackpool, Yeovil Town, Salford City, Leatherhead, Shaw Lane and Boston United. He has recently announced his retirement after spending the final years of his career with Lancaster City in the Northern Premier League. | Getty Images