None appreciate such special qualities more than those players who have turned out for the Blues over the years, serving with great distinction.
So here, in the words of 12 former Pompey players, are why the Fratton faithful are among the finest supporters in the country...
![‘I know people bang on about it, but I have never seen supporters like it. I have played in most divisions, in most stadiums around the country, and when the Pompey fans get behind you they are pretty mad.
‘Do you know what, they’re better than Southampton’s support. There were some great atmospheres at The Dell, don’t get me wrong, but for pure passion and the non-stop chanting and the bell, Pompey fans were unbelievable.
‘I think Southampton died when they left The Dell. All those modern stadiums look the same and there’s not much atmosphere going on there.
‘Then there’s Fratton Park. What a place and what a club.’
(Matt Robinson, The News, November 2021)](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc2OTVjN2M4LWRmYjYtNGQ5My04ZWJiLTAwZDBkMDI3NDE1ODoxZGJhNDZlYy1lZGQyLTRhNzUtYWIzMS01YzI0N2FkNTU5NGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Matt Robinson
‘I know people bang on about it, but I have never seen supporters like it. I have played in most divisions, in most stadiums around the country, and when the Pompey fans get behind you they are pretty mad. ‘Do you know what, they’re better than Southampton’s support. There were some great atmospheres at The Dell, don’t get me wrong, but for pure passion and the non-stop chanting and the bell, Pompey fans were unbelievable. ‘I think Southampton died when they left The Dell. All those modern stadiums look the same and there’s not much atmosphere going on there. ‘Then there’s Fratton Park. What a place and what a club.’ (Matt Robinson, The News, November 2021) Photo: National World
!['Pompey is one of the rare clubs which has been saved by supporters, a fantastic achievement which shows their passion, commitment and determination.
'This is one story which will remain through history - the supporters helped get that club back on its feet. I have so much respect for Pompey fans, I cannot emphasise that enough.'
(Niko Kranjcar, Played Up Pompey Three, 2020)
Picture: Bryn Lennon](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUwNDRjMzBmLTIwMGUtNGU4NC1hZjlmLWY4NTdjZjgyZDg4Mzo2Y2RhNzIxZC03ZDA4LTRmNmYtOWNlZS0xNDcxNjI1NjlkZjk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Niko Kranjcar
'Pompey is one of the rare clubs which has been saved by supporters, a fantastic achievement which shows their passion, commitment and determination. 'This is one story which will remain through history - the supporters helped get that club back on its feet. I have so much respect for Pompey fans, I cannot emphasise that enough.' (Niko Kranjcar, Played Up Pompey Three, 2020) Picture: Bryn Lennon Photo: Bryn Lennon
!['I will never forget playing Arsenal at Fratton Park in the FA Cup in March 2004 and it wasn’t because we played really well! We got hammered 5-1.
'The thing that stuck out from that game were our fans. We were losing 5-0 at one stage and they were singing, still behind us every step of the way, chanting ‘We’re going to win 6-5’.
'Thierry Henry, who scored twice, turned to me and said: ‘Your fans are mad, they are brilliant, they keep on singing’.
'Looking back, those days at Fratton were wonderful and as long as the fans know I appreciated them very much, that is the main thing. As supporters go, there are not many I have met better than Pompey’s.'
(Arjan De Zeeuw, Played Up Pompey, 2015)
Picture: Neal Simpson](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmFiZjk4ZTJhLTBhYWYtNDI5OS05YmU4LTY5N2YxYjNmYjkwNzpiZTZlMjQzZi1mMTFlLTRlYjQtOTFjMC1lNjg1ZGRhMGZlOTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Arjan De Zeeuw
'I will never forget playing Arsenal at Fratton Park in the FA Cup in March 2004 and it wasn’t because we played really well! We got hammered 5-1. 'The thing that stuck out from that game were our fans. We were losing 5-0 at one stage and they were singing, still behind us every step of the way, chanting ‘We’re going to win 6-5’. 'Thierry Henry, who scored twice, turned to me and said: ‘Your fans are mad, they are brilliant, they keep on singing’. 'Looking back, those days at Fratton were wonderful and as long as the fans know I appreciated them very much, that is the main thing. As supporters go, there are not many I have met better than Pompey’s.' (Arjan De Zeeuw, Played Up Pompey, 2015) Picture: Neal Simpson Photo: Neal Simpson