In Their Own Words: Robert Prosinecki, Paul Merson, Hermann Hreidarsson, Darren Anderton, Ricardo Rocha & Co on why they love Portsmouth

But don’t take our word for it, let others explain just why a permanent place in their hearts belongs to the Blues…

Pompey still has a place in my heart, I had a very happy year, I was made to feel very welcome by the fans, the players and all the staff, they looked after me and I appreciated that.

Even now I look out for their results, I can promise the wonderful fans I have not forgotten about you.

(Robert Prosinecki, Played Up Pompey, 2015)

I definitely regret not playing for Pompey later in my career, although it nearly happened a couple of times.

Funnily enough, it’s also a regret I didn’t play for Southampton because that was my team as a kid – who doesn’t remember their childhood club? Pompey, though, is the bigger part of me.

My experiences there, the fans, the players, I still look back at being a member of such a talented youth side, going on to play with my mates in the first-team. It was such a special time.

(Darren Anderton, Played Up Pompey Three, 2020)

I won everything in football at Arsenal bar the Champions League. There was the FA Cup, the League Cup, the old Division One - which is really a name change from the Premier League - the Cup Winners Cup and the Community Shield.

Yet that 2002-3 season when we won the Division One title at Pompey still goes down as the biggest thing I achieved in my footballing career, without a doubt.

You have got to remember the club later won the FA Cup and played in Europe, but people still talk about that campaign, it was so special.

Winning matches, scoring goals wherever we went, packing out houses at home, it was unbelievable. I loved it.

(Paul Merson, Played Up Pompey, 2015)

I loved my time at Fratton Park, in my four-and-a-half years we had the whole roller coaster ride, near the top of the Premier League, winning the FA Cup and then dipped down with financial problems and some hard times.

It’s a time of my life where I made some absolutely great friends and met wonderful Portsmouth people, the whole experience was fantastic.

During my 20 years in football, Pompey was definitely my favourite time. It was not always clear skies with us but that first season, especially, stands out massively.

I get the impression the fans liked me. They are enthusiastic about their team and understand their football – so obviously like good footballers like me!

(Hermann Hreidarsson, Played Up Pompey, 2015)