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Portsmouth_FC.gif crest Founded in 1898, Portsmouth Football Club are an English association football club, based in the south coast city port of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey, and is currently playing in the Premier League. The club is owned by Serbian-American businessman Milan Mandaric. The best known chant from the Pompey supporters is the "Pompey Chimes" ("Play up Pompey, Pompey play up" sung to the tune of a striking clock). Executive director Velimir Zajec has been appointed team manager for the rest of the 2004-05 season. Portsmouth enjoy a fierce rivalry with Southampton F.C.; despite Southampton being in a superior division for much of the 1980s and 90s, this derby was recently reignited by Portsmouth's promotion to the Premiership in 2003. The club's biggest recent achievement came on 27 April 2003 when Pompey beat Rotherham 3-2 to clinch the First Division championship with a game in hand, giving the club promotion to the Premier League for the first time in its history. The 2004/05 season sees Portsmouth playing in the Premier League for the second successive season.
History1950 - 1998 still to be completed The club was founded in 1898, with John Brickwood as chairman. Frank Brettell was appointed as the club's first manager. The club's first league match was played at Chatham Town F.C. on 2nd September 1899 (a 1-0 victory), followed three days later by the first match at Fratton Park against local rivals Southampton. That first season was hugely successful, with the club winning 20 out of 28 league matches, earning them runners-up spot in the Southern League. The league was won for the first time in the 1901/1902 season, by which time Brettell had been replaced by club captain Bob Blyth as manager. The 1906/07 season was highlighted by the visit of giants Manchester United F.C. to Fratton Park in the English Cup, which generated a record attendance of 24,329. A 2-2 draw meant a replay in Manchester, and Portsmouth recorded a famous 2-1 win. However, this record attendance was surpassed two seasons later when Sheffield Wednesday F.C. visited Fratton for the second round of the new FA Cup. 1910/11 saw Portsmouth relegated, but with the recruitment of Bob Brown as manager the team were promted the next season. Football was suspended during World War I, but following the resumption of matches Portsmouth won the Southern League for the second time. Continuing success saw them in the Third Division for the 1920/21 season. They finished 12th that year, but won the league in the 1923/24 season. The club continued to perform well in the Second Division, winning promotion by finishing 2nd in the 1926/27 season, gaining a record 9-1 win over Notts County F.C. along the way. Portsmouth's debut season in the First Division, then England's top division, was a struggle. The next season they continued to falter, losing 10-0 to Leicester City F.C., still a club record defeat. However, despite their failings in the league that season also saw Portsmouth reach the FA Cup final for the first time, which they lost to Bolton Wanderers F.C.. Portsmouth managed to survive relegation, and their fortunes began to change. In the 1930/31 season the club finished 4th. The 1933/34 season saw Portsmouth again reach the FA Cup final, beating Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers, Leicester and Birmingham on the way. Unfortuantly the club was again defeated in the final, this time to Manchester City F.C. Having established themselves in the top flight, the 1938/39 season saw Portsmouth reach their third FA Cup final. This time the club managed to defeat the favourites, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., convincingly. Football was again suspended due to World War II, meaning Pompey hold the dubious distinction of holding the FA Cup for the longest period! Competition resumed for the 1946/47 campaign. The next year in the club's Golden Jubilee year, the club were fantastically successful, and were tipped to be the first club of the 20th Century to win the League and Cup double. However, Pompey crashed out of the FA Cup in the semi final against Leicester, but made up for it by claiming the league title in spectacular fashion. That season also saw a record attendance of 51,385, a record which still stands to this day. The club retained the title the following year, beating Aston Villa F.C. 5-1 on the last day of the season. 1950 - 1999 still to be completed In 1999 Serbian businessman Milan Mandaric bought the club, and immediately started investing. However, it wasn't until the appointment of Harry Redknapp as manager in early 2002 that the club's fortunes really turned around. In Redknapp's first full season in charge, (2002/03), he brought in experienced Premiership players such as Steve Stone and Paul Merson. Pompey stormed the league, and the club tipped for relegation suprised many by comfortably winning the title. The following season Pompey were favourites for relegation from the top-flight, but following some inspired signings such as veteran Teddy Sheringham, the club embarked on an impressive run, finally finishing in 13th place in their debut Premiership season. Throughout the season Portsmouth's home form, at Fortress Fratton, was on a par with the top 3 teams, but their poor away form, winning only twice all season, was responsible for their mid-table finish. This theme continued into the 2004/05 season, with Portsmouth's home form not being matched on their travels. That season also saw the start of construction both on the new stadium, and on the club's first ever youth academy. However, Mandaric and Redknapp clashed several times during their time together. At the start of the 2004/05 season, it was rumoured that Mandaric was considering replacing some of the club's coaching staff, including Redknapp's assistant Jim Smith. Although no changes took place, the two clashed again more seriously when Mandaric proposed appointing another director in November, with responsibility for the youth set-up at the club. Redknapp made comments to the media showing his disapproval of the proposal, but Mandaric pressed ahead and appointed Velimir Zajec. Redknapp, along with his assistant Jim Smith, subsequently resigned with immediate effect on 23rd November. Zajec took over as manager, initially as caretaker, then on 20th December he was appointed manager for the remainder of the season. Honours
Stadium InformationPortsmouth play their home games at Fratton Park, in Portsmouth.
The ground has been home to the club throughout for its entire history, and despite improvements is showing signs of age. Therefore at the end of the 2003/04 season, having consolidated their Premier League status, plans to develop a new stadium on the adjacent disused rail-freight depot site were drawn up and approved. The new stadium will have a capacity of 35,000, and will also feature hotels, restaurants and shopping areas. Construction will begin mid-2004. RecordsRecord Victory
Record Defeat
Record Attendance
Highest Transfer Fee Paid
Highest Transfer Fee Received
Most Appearances for club
Most League Goals for club
Most League Goals in a season
Most International Caps whilst at club
Non-Playing StaffChairman Directors Managing Director Manager/Executive Director Assistant Manager Coaches Current Squad
1 On loan from Montpellier with option of permanent transfer in summer of 2005. Famous PlayersFamous former players at the club include:
Managerial History
See AlsoExternal link
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