Portsmouth’s defeat at the weekend might have been tough to take, leaving them on the cusp of the automatic promotion race.
It seems there have been four years of stagnation since Paul Cook led them out of League Two in dramatic style. They were guaranteed promotion on a final day that brought Cheltenham to Fratton Park, but a resounding 6-1 was enough to see them lift the title, combined with some shock results elsewhere.
A frantic Hartlepool battled for their football league stats and defeated Doncaster, but it only denied Rovers the title and couldn’t save them. Elsewhere, an early Grimsby goal left Plymouth with a mountain to climb, and the 1-1 draw saw Pompey lift the first bit of silverware since the 2008 FA Cup win.
It was a time of great hope on the south coast, a suggestion that after years of turmoil, they were back on their way to the top level of English football. For one reason or another, the charge has faltered. That might be because of Mr Jackett, it may just be the circumstance, but the 2016/17 squad remains the last truly successful side to wear the blue of Pompey.
Some of that squad still remain, whilst other members have disappeared to different corners of the footballing world. We’ve taken a look at a handful of those who have found pastures new, to see how they’re getting on four years after suggesting Pompey were on the way back.
Before you check out the list, why not try our Portsmouth quiz and identify some players from yesteryear?
| [freshpress-quiz id=”13012″] |
