For the first time since 2018, Portsmouth welcome European opposition from abroad, in the form of Eredivise side PEC Zwolle.
For our PEC Zwolle readers, there is a whole lot of history to Portsmouth FC to sink your teeth into.
Firstly, to avoid any confusion, Portsmouth is widely known across the UK as ‘Pompey’. There are numerous theories as to why this nickname was adopted, all evolve around Portsmouth’s naval history.
Either way you’ll be sure to hear the Blues famous and unique chant, ‘Play up Pompey’ ringing across Fratton Park.
Founded in 1898, Portsmouth’s history, is full of high’s and low’s and twists and turns, but one constant theme, is their fortress, Fratton Park. Pompey have never left their iconic home, and despite some modernisation, the ‘old school’ terrace feel has never left.
Endorsed by some of the biggest names in football, Brazilian great Ronaldinho claimed Fratton Park had the ‘best atmosphere in world football’ when Pompey drew 2-2 to AC Milan in the UEFA Cup in 2008. Jose Mourinho, when questioned on the atmosphere at Old Trafford said ‘it’s not Portsmouth.’ Even Thierry Henry sported the Pompey jersey after a defeat to Arsenal at Fratton Park, wearing the shirt ‘for those special fans.’
Fratton Park has seen it’s fair share of success stories. The Blues famously won the English First division (now known as the Premier League) twice, in consecutive seasons, lofting the title as the best team in England in 1949 and 1950, led by club legend Jimmy Dickinson, who made 845 appearances for the Blues, and who’s statue can be found outside of the Stadium.
Pompey have also lifted the FA Cup twice in their history, firstly in 1939 where they held the title for 7 years due to the second world war. This was followed by a more recent success, winning the FA Cup in 2008 with a 1-0 win over Cardiff, with the great Kanu scoring the only goal.
The early 2000s saw Pompey promoted to the new Premier League for the first time in their history, where the Blues spent 7 seasons, where they cemented their place as an iconic Premier League side, boasting some electric talent. Sol Campbell, Kanu, Lassana Diara, Lua Lua, Benjani, Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, Matt Taylor, Patrik Berger, Sulley Muntari, Niko Kranjcar, and Glenn Johnson, were just some of the household names that blessed Premier League stadiums across the country, with spectacular goals, crunching tackles, and mesmerising skills.
This era peaked with the FA Cup final win in 2008, but unfortunately, success came at a price. The 2009/10 season saw Portsmouth struck by a wave of financial uncertainty. Pompey became the first Premier League club to enter administration in 2010, as a result of unpaid taxes and accumulated debts of £120 million. A mismanaging group of misfit owners, delivered false promises, built on fraudulent accounts, arrests, and invisible owners.
Uncertainty resulted in the inevitable decline on the pitch, with the Blues falling to League 2, England’s basement division, after 3 relegations in 4 seasons.
2013 saw relief for Pompey, and the beginning of a new era. The supporters who refused to let their club die, banded together, as the Portsmouth Supporters Club, acquired the Football Club, and the Blues became debt free in 2014. Success began to form on the pitch, with Pompey winning the League 2 title in spectacular fashion in 2017.
It was after this, that former Disney CEO, Michael Eisner, and his Tornante Group took over Portsmouth. The American has delivered years of stability and consistent investment. Fratton Park received a much needed makeover, and in 2024, led by current boss John Mousinho, Pompey returned to the Championship after 12 years away.
The buzz around the Blues right now is infectious. With a manager who defied the odds in his first Head Coach position. and Director of Football Rich Hughes assembling a squad of gritty, determined, and talented players, it’s an exciting time to be a Portsmouth supporter.
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