Portsmouth were formed in 1898 and their first league match was played in 1899 against Chatham town (currently in the Isthmian League First Division South) who were also West Ham United’s first ever opponents. They won 1-0 and that game was followed up 3 days later by the first match between Portsmouth and Southampton, a tie played at Fratton Park. Fratton Park has been Pompey’s home throughout their entire 109 year history. In 1956 a tie between Portsmouth and Newcastle United at Fratton Park was the first ever game to be played under floodlights. Portsmouth record win came against The Magpies, a 9-1 win against Notts County in the 1927.

Portsmouth’s main rivals are Southampton and Plymouth Argyle, a rivalry known as the dockyard derby. The Portsmouth-Southampton rivalry was intensified by the Harry Redknapp saga, with Portsmouth fans initially livid that Southampton had stolen their manager, but when Harry Redknapp got Southampton relegated and rejoined Portsmouth some Southampton fans believed that he deliberately went there to get them relegated. Derby matches between the two sides are few and far between however, as the clubs are often in different divisions to each other. Portsmouth fans have a reputation as being some of the loudest fans in the league and they were praised by Thierry Henry following Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition of Portsmouth in the FA Cup in 2004. Portsmouth are the only league club to have given their fans a squad number, the number 12, because of the support that they give the team.

Since Portsmouth gained promotion from the old First Division (now called The Championship) in 2003 they have finished in the top half only once, last season when they finished 9th. They have also finished below the 40 points mark on two occasions in the 2004-2005 season and 2005-2006 season but have managed to escape relegation on both occasions finishing 16th and 17th respectively.

Recent Form

Portsmouth currently lie 7th in the Premiership with 5 wins, 4 draws and 2 defeats. On their travels they have picked up 10 points from a possible 18, which is a very respectable total. Portsmouth’s last game was in the Carling Cup on Wednesday at home to Blackburn, a tie they lost 2-1. Their last Premiership match was a 0-0 draw against West Ham. Portsmouth have won their last two away games 2-0, against Fulham and Wigan.

Star Players

Name: Sol Campbell
Age: 33
Nation: England
Position: Central Defender
The experienced defender’s performances for Portsmouth have won him a recall into Steve McLaren’s England squad and his partnership with French defender Sylvain Distin is one of the main reason’s for their high position in the league. Campbell began his career at Spurs before leaving on a bosman to join North London rivals Arsenal in 2001, where he won the league and cup double in his first season. Campbell made his International debut against Hungary in May 1996 and cemented himself as a regular starter in the England back four.

Name: David James
Age: 37
Nation: England
Position: Goalkeeper

David James has been an excellent keeper for Portsmouth since his transfer from Man City at the start of last season. James has been a bit of an inconsistent player in his career gaining a reputation as both an excellent shot stopper and a keeper prone to slight lapses in concentration which often lead to goals. James gained the nickname ‘Calamity James’ shortly after his transfer from Watford to Liverpool after a series of errors between the sticks. He also got dropped from the England squad after a series of poor performances for the National side and will be remembered by most Villa fans as the keeper whose mistake gifted Chelsea the F.A. Cup in 2000. all of that aside James on his day can be as good as any keeper in the top flight and since he was dropped from the National side James has been as consistent as he has ever been in his career and was voted the Portsmouth Player of the Season for 2007.

Name: Niko Kranjcar
Age: 23
Nation: Croatia
Position: Midfielder

Niko Kranjcar was signed from Hajduk Split on deadline day in August 2006 for £3,500,000 after representing Croatia in the 2006 world cup. However he didn’t make his debut until October and his first season was spent mostly coming off of the bench for Portsmouth. Niko was made captain of Dinamo Zargreb aged only 17 and is the son of Croatian footballing legend Zlatko Kranjcar, who also managed the national side when Niko was first selected. Kranjcar already has 3 assists and 1 goal in 7 appearances so far this season and I believe he may be Portsmouth’s greatest threat in today’s game.