All second-year and third-year scholars were controversially released, despite many having featured in the Leasing.com Trophy during that 2020-21 season.
In addition, two second-year scholars declined deals to remain at Fratton Park, in another damning statement over the effectiveness of the Academy.
The process was overseen by interim head of football operations Roberto Gagliardi, with an unhappy Liam Daish, lead professional development phase coach, insisting he and other Academy staff were never consulted.
In total, 10 promising teenagers left Pompey in the summer of 2021. We look at their journeys since - and where they are now...
9. Leon Pitman
A former Pompey season-ticket holder who joined the club at under-14, the Isle of Wight-based keeper is back on the island. He represented Newport Isle of Wight last season, making 36 appearances as they finished 12th in Wessex League Division One. Now aged 23, his latter time at Fratton Park was hampered by a broken wrist, with the Blues extending his scholarship to recover from the injury. He later played three times for AFC Portchester, keeping two clean sheets. Photo: Duncan Shepherd
10. Gerard Storey
The central midfielder arrived at Fratton Park along with Harry Anderson from Portadown and featured in the Papa John’s Trophy at Cheltenham in December 2020. There was also a brief loan spell at Gosport in September 2020 and a loan at Carrick Rangers before the ex-Northern Ireland international’s release in the summer of 2021. He signed for Derry in August 2021 and has since served Cliftonville, Annagh United and Lisburn Distillery, spending part of last season with the latter in the Premier Intermediate League. The 22-year-old is now a free agent after being released by Cliftonville last month. Photo: Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker Press