Career Raising the Ship - A Portsmouth Career

[KennyMiller27]

 

Hello guys, been quite a lull since the Brum career!

Admittedly I would have done an Oxford United career next but I got busy with RL and they were too tricky for the time so I had to abort, and now I'm starting a-fresh with..

 

 

(YEAH I LIKE THIS BADGE MORE THAN THAT WEIRD SMILING MOON)

 

Everyone knows the sad, sad tale of Portsmouth - having fallen like Icarus IMMEDIATELY after winning the FA Cup. (No thanks to that idiot Alexandre Gaydamak!)

 

The plan for this career is pretty simple - get Pompey back up to the Prem in time and restore their reputation as a solid mid-table side, pushing on as able.

 

Objectives:

 

Short-term - Finish at least 12th(currently 5th), Reach Europa League KO rounds(Complete)

Mid-term - Upgrade the overall facilities to max(in medias), bring on 5 Academy products into 1st team (2/5)

Long-term - do the Double over Bournemouth and Southampton

 

Check back soon for the first of many updates!

 

Trophy case:

- 2016/17

 

- 2017/18

 

- 2016/17 & 2017/18

 

- 2018/19

 

- 2019/2

 

 

0

 

- 2020/21

[KennyMiller27]

 

Prologue - A new Captain?

 

 

Portsmouth (AP) - The Portsmouth Supporter's Trust have announced today that manager Paul Cook has left the club after an offer to take over at League One side Port Vale has been accepted. He will be bringing assistant manager Leam Richardson and his staff, with compensation agreed between Port Vale and Portsmouth. We wish Cookie the best in Staffordshire and a new managerial appointment will be announced in due time,

 

(7 days later)

 

Portsmouth (BBC Radio Solent) - The Portsmouth Supporter's Trust today announce the appointment of John Barton as manager of Portsmouth Football Club, signing a three-year deal running up to the close of the 2018-19 season. The grandson of former Aston Villa manager Tony Barton, who had a spell managing Pompey in 1991, Barton has been working as the U-19 coach at National League side Barrow prior to the appointment. He is joined by former Pompey stalwart and Stevenage manager Teddy Sheringham and his former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville as part of the backroom staff. 

 

[mcandrew003]

Nice choice of club, looking forward to this mate! Some good appointments aswell

[KennyMiller27]

 

Preseason #1 - Refitting the Ship

 

Portsmouth enter the 16-17 season with high expectations,having finished 6th in League Two last season and losing in the Playoff Semifinal. With that in mind, new manager John Barton has a job to do.

 

Backroom Changes

 

With the previous staff joining Port Vale,the main challenge was strengthening the backroom staff. Phil Neville and Teddy Sheringham had already signed on,and the club also hired away Marvin Johnson from Sutton United to be the Youth Coach and Academy Head. Teddy also leveraged his ties with Stevenage to hire away Leon Hunter as Head Scout,and John's connections in the National League worked to bring in Jon Haile from Weston-super-Mare as Chief Academy Scout. Lastly,Emmett Hartigan was recruited from Galway Utd and Koen Walravens completed the new-look medical team.

 

Transfers

 

With a robust squad,there wasn't as much player movement as anticipated,though several players will still signed at a total outlay of £695,000.

 

Raphael Spiegel(GK,SUI) from West Ham on loan(with £150,000 buy-out) 

 

- Arguably the one sore spot on the Portsmouth squad, Spiegel comes in from the fringes of the Hammers squad to provide a solid option for the year,and flexibility in finding a future #1.

 

Charlie l'Anson(CB) from Valencia for £300,000

 

- The former Grimsby youth product moves back to England after several years in the Spanish system,and a spell with Los Che to provide some more steel and a bit of flair to the back-line - and serve as a mentor to Matt Clarke and Jack Whatmough.

 

Sam Adekugbe (LB,CAN) from Vancouver Whitecaps for £150,000

 

- The Canadian starting LB joins us from Whitecaps to serve as a 1a/1b option with Enda Stevens.

 

Maciej Wasilewski (RB, POL) on a free

 

- The unattached young rightback joins us to provide a backup to Drew Talbot, and eventually to surpass him.

 

Joseph Holland (CM) from Houston Dynamo on a free transfer

 

-  The second hole in the squad that needed fixing is filled with the signing of the former SuperDraft 1st-rounder, as Holland provides some creativity in a workman-like defensive midfield.

 

Ashley Hunter (RW) from Bristol City for £200,000

 

- The Robins academy product comes in to apprentice under Carl Baker on the right wing and eventually join the first team after impressing in a U-18s fixture.

 

Paul Smyth (ST,NI) from Linfield for £45,000

- The electric NI U-18 striker joins us for a peppercorn fee after impressing in Linfield's Europa League qualifying run.

 

Pre-season fixtures

 

1-1 v Kidderminster Harriers

0-0 v Southport

2-2 v Crewe

1-4 v Huddersfield

[KennyMiller27]

24 minutes ago, mcandrew003 said:

Nice choice of club, looking forward to this mate! Some good appointments aswell

Thanks mate!I'm honestly surprised Fizzer's a good coach in this game(and hoping he doesn't get nerfed next year)!

[KennyMiller27]

 

Part 1 - August Augurs

 

Welcome to the first update of Raising the Ship, and this is Jackie Penham on the horn for you. We're recapping everything Pompey here on the program today, and let's see how the club have started life under the new gaffer, John Barton.

 

 

TRANSFER UPDATE

 

Two additional players have joined up since the start of the new season in:

 

Harry Paton(CM,CAN) from Hearts for £50,000 and Danny Rose's contract rights

and

Kris Twardzik (RW, CAN/CZE) from Millwall for £150,000

 

Both of these signings come in to add youth and creativity to the squad - and on the recommendation of their compatriot Sam Adekugbe.

 

Matchday 1

 

- vs Carlisle United @ Fratton Park, 8/6/2016

 

Result: 2-0 to Pompey

 

Scorers: Conor Chaplin (9'), Michael Smith (52')

 

> The league campaign kicks off with a comfortable 2-0 win over the Cumbrian visitors, though with half a new backline and a reworked midfield there were still some teething pains. Carlisle came close to pulling a goal back late off a missed clearance but Shaun Miller blasted high and left.

 

Matchday 2

 

- vs Crewe @ Gresty Road, 8/13/16

 

Result: 2-1 to Pompey

Scorers: Harry Paton(16'),  Matt Clarke (61')/ Justin Amaluzor (19')

 

> It's 2 wins out of 2 in the League as a rotated squad get out of Cheshire with the points after a Matt Clarke bicycle kick off a corner seals it.

 

Matchday 3

 

- vs Morecambe @ the Globe Arena, 8/16/16

 

Result: 1-1

Scorers: Conor Chaplin(pen 50')/ Antony Evans (36')

 

> Our first dropped points of the season come in a slog of a match with a Morecambe side who honestly deserve the 3 points.

 

Matchday 4

 

- vs Colchester @ Fratton Park, 8/20/16

 

Result: 2-1 to Pompey

Scorers: Michael Smith(3', 36'),/ Kurtis Guthrie (90')

 

> Pompey continue their hot start to the season as a Michael Smith brace leads a comfortable win over Colchester,who got smothered up until stoppage time in the 2nd half.

 

Matchday 5

 

- vs Exeter @ St James' Park, 8/28/16

 

Result: 1-0 to Pompey

Scorer: Eoin Doyle (70')

 

> Portsmouth cap off a hot August with a narrow win over a game Grecians side who really should have had at least a draw with a early goal flagged off.

 

Pompey in the table: 5P, 4W,1D,13 points and 4th on goal difference from Yeovil.

 

Join us next time as we recap the next couple of months!Will Pompey continue this hot start?Find out next time,and follow the chime!

[KennyMiller27]

 
Part 2 – Into the Fall
 
Welcome back to Raising the Ship, with Jackie Penham here on the stick for you today. We're taking a look back at September and October’s action here today, and with Portsmouth starting the season in fine form, let’s see if they can keep it up!
 
 
Matchday 6
 
- vs Crawley @ Fratton Park, 9/3/16
 
Result: 5-1 to Pompey
 
Scorers: Conor Chaplin (2'), Paul Smyth (24', 48’), Eoin Doyle (72’, 88’) / Mark Connolly (28’)
 
> September starts off with a bang as a clinical performance sees us thump Crawley on the South Coast to make it 3 wins in a row early doors.
 
Matchday 7
 
- vs Wycombe Wanderers @ Fratton Park, 9/10/16
 
Result: 3-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (pen 26'), Joseph Holland (47’). Carl Baker (52’)
 
> A swarming victory over Wycombe extends our winning run to 4 on the bounce.
 
Matchday 8
 
- vs Accrington Stanley @ the Crown Ground, 9/17/16
 
Result: 1-0 to the Stanley
Scorer: Sean McConville (90’)
 
> The winning run ends in heartbreak as we waste our chances and allow Stanley to beat us late off a corner.
 
Matchday 9
 
- vs Barnet @ Fratton Park, 9/24/16
 
Result: 0-0
 
> The hot start seems to have cooled off here as the boys waste several open shots and allow Barnet to pepper the net at will in a game where it’s a point gained instead of two dropped.
 
Matchday 10
 
- vs Blackpool @ Bloomfield Road, 9/27/16
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Curtis Main (46’), Michael Smith (51’) / Jamille Matt (34’)
 
> The close of September sees the boys pick themselves up and beat one of the other early pace-setters in a Blackpool side that had taken advantage of the recent wobble to jump Pompey in the table, reeling them back in to within a point.
 
Pompey in the table after September: 10P, 6W,3D,1L; 27 points and 3rd, 2 points off table-topping Doncaster.

 Matchday 11
 
- vs Doncaster @ Fratton Park, 10/1/16
 
Result: 3-3
 
Scorers: Kal Naismith (17’),  Eoin Doyle (27’, 71’) / Liam Mandeville (69’, 74’), John Marquis (77’)
 
> A disappointing way to open October here, as we fail to overhaul Rovers and throw away a 2-goal lead to draw 3-3.
 
Matchday 12
 
- vs Leyton Orient @ Brisbane Road, 10/8/16
 
Result: 2-0 to Orient
Scorers: Liam Kelly (54’), Ollie Palmer (84’)
 
> We lose even more ground on Blackpool and Doncaster here as a poor performance all-around gives Orient the 3 points on our first trip to London on the 6.57 Special.
 
Matchday 13
 
- vs Plymouth Argyle @ Home Park, 10/15/16
 
Result: 5-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (4’, 43’, 86’), Gary Roberts (41’), Matt Clarke (90’)/ Graham Carey (77’)
 
> DERBY DAY THUMPINGS FOR ALL! We break our seeming slide with a rollicking visit to Devonshire and a big win over our erstwhile rivals.
 
Matchday 14
 
- vs Notts County @ Fratton Park, 10/22/16
 
Result: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (7’, 22’), Paul Smyth(pen 70’) / Tahvon Campbell (63’)
 
> We keep the momentum going with another smothering win, this time against a Notts County side that had been in indifferent form themselves.

Matchday 15
 
- vs Cambridge United @ the Abbey Stadium, 10/29/16
 
Result: 1-0 to Pompey
Scorer: Conor Chaplin (52’)
 
> October ends with a cagey win against a Cambridge side that dug in after going down to 10 men just before halftime and spent the entire second half tracking back.

Pompey in the table after October: 15P, 9W, 4D, 2L; 31 points and 3rd, 2 points off table-topping Blackpool.

Join us next time as we dive into the festive period! Will the fans have something to cheer about? Find out next time on Raising the Ship, and follow the chimes!

[KennyMiller27]

 
Part 3 – Not Your Typical Winter Wonderland
 
Welcome back to Raising the Ship - Jackie Penham here on the horn for you today, and we're rejoining the Pompey adventures here today. Will there be holiday cheer here for the fans or are we getting lumps of coal instead? Let’s find out!
 
Matchday 16
 
- vs Mansfield Town @ Fratton Park, 11/12/16
 
Result: 1-0 to Mansfield
 
Scorer: James Baxendale (43’)
 
> Well that was a dud – a flat performance by Pompey sees us lose 1-0 and be lucky to do so, as Mansfield could have thumped us, the paucity of the performance.
 
Matchday 17
 
- vs Cheltenham Town @ Whaddon Road,  11/19/16
 
Result: 2-2
Scorers: Michael Smith (47’), Curtis Main (61’) / Dan Holman (4’), Daniel O’Shaughnessy (80’)
 
> Another poor performance sees us drop points late after a lucky equalizer for Cheltenham drops and knots us up.
 
Matchday 18
 
- vs Luton Town @ Kenilworth Road, 11/22/16
 
Result: 3-2 to Luton
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (34’, 88’) / Danny Hylton (71’, 74’), Craig Mackail-Smith (85’)
 
> It’s a third poor performance in a row and a second loss in 3 as a late Luton blitz wins them the game in front of their supporters.
 
Matchday 19
 
- vs Stevenage @ Fratton Park, 11/26/16
 
Result: 1-0 to Pompey
Scorer: Gary Roberts (11’)
 
> Oh Gary, you beast. An early fizzler from the veteran wing sees us arrest our slide and pick up the first win of November, to at least keep the top 2 in sighting distance.

Pompey in the table after November: 19P, 10W, 5D, 4L; 35 points and 3rd, 8 points off table-topping Blackpool.
 
Matchday 20
 
- vs Grimsby Town @ Blundell Road, 12/10/16
 
Result: 1-1
Scorers: Kyle Bennett (19’) / Luke Summerfield (84’)
 
> Our stuttering form follows us into December as a Luke Summerfield laser sees us drop points in Yorkshire and lose further ground on the top 2, and see 4th-place Orient close to within a point.
 

 Matchday 21
 
- vs Hartlepool United @ Fratton Park, 12/17/16
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
 
Scorers: Kyle Bennett (22’), Eoin Doyle (82’) 

> Home comforts push the boys to a thumping win here, with the only disappointment being that we might have been able to score more, having throttled Pools to only 1 total shot.
 
Matchday 22
 
- vs Newport County @ Rodney Parade, Boxing Day
 
Result: 3-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Conor Chaplin (51’), Kal Naismith (62’), Michael Doyle (86’)
 
> Good tidings come to the boys visiting Wales as we smash and grab our way to the big win against a game County side.
 
Matchday 23
 
- vs Yeovil Town @ Huish Park, 12/31/16
 
Result: 2-1 to Yeovil
Scorers: Paul Smyth (pen 86’) / Otis Khan (29’), Brandon Goodship (90’)
 
> Late heartbreak to close the year here, as Brandon Goodship sinks our ship and deflates our recent revival in form to close 2016 on a sour note in Somerset.

Pompey in the table at the end of 2016: 23P, 12W, 6D, 5L; 42 points and 3rd, 6 points off table-topping Blackpool.

2016 is in the books, and now we can look forward to the New Year! Will it also spell a new direction in Pompey’s form here?  Find out next time here on Raising the Ship, and follow the chimes!
 

added 0 minutes later

 
Part 4 – New Year, New Crew
 
Welcome back to Raising the Ship, and Jackie Penham here wishing you all a happy 2017. Portsmouth have certainly had an up-and-down 2016 and we welcome the New Year closer to 4th place than 1st place. How did we fare? Let’s find out!
 
 
TRANSFER UPDATE
 
Coming into January, there was heavy squad movement here in Portsmouth as gaffer John Barton decided to act and start adding on some youth. With that in mind, the following moves happened:

OUTS
Noel Hunt to Prestatyn Town on a free – Prestatyn offered Noel their assistant manager’s job, and with him underperforming (0 goals in 14 appearances), it was a no-brainer to let him join the Cymru Alliance side.

Michael Doyle to retirement – Michael blew his knee out on New Year’s Eve against Yeovil and he elected to retire immediately due to the extent of the injuries, accepting a coaching spot with the U-13’s.
Stanley Aborah to Wycombe Wanderers for 80,000 
Gary Roberts to Wycombe Wanderers for 150,000 – Stanley and Gary moved to Adams Park in a package deal after interest from Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth.
Gareth Evans to Torquay United for 100,000 – Gareth moved in October to Plainmoor to take a player-coach position, and the fee was a nice bonus.
Drew Talbot to Crawley for 150,000 – Drew had become expendable after the arrival of Felipe Alfonso and Crawley took him on, giving us a nice 100% profit on the ex-Spireite.
Carl Baker to Aldershot on a swap deal for……

INS

Felipe Alfonso from Villareal for 300,000 – The young Spaniard comes in as a much younger upgrade on Drew Talbot, and with a relatively equal amount of experience,having made 135 appearances with Villareal and Real Valladolid.
Lukas Cmelik from Zilina for 300,000 – The Slovak U-21 captain joins us on a recommendation both from Milan Lalkovic and our scouts, and immediately fills a gaping hole in speed on the right flank.
Lee Desmond from St. Pat’s Athletic for 65,000 – The Ireland U-21 defender comes in to shore our backline and as a future investment, especially with bigger clubs circling around Matt Clarke and Christian Burgess.
Kealan Dillon from Longford Town for 10,000 – The Irishman impressed after a trial and a peppercorn transfer was luckily agreed upon.
Raphael Spiegel from West Ham for 150,000 – After impressing in the first half of the year, a buy-out of his loan was immediately agreed upon for the listed amount.
Matt McClure from Aldershot in exchange for Carl Baker – Gary Waddock had wanted to add Carl to his coaching staff, and he had expressed a desire to drop into non-League and work on his coaching badges, so a deal was cut to send the striker to us in exchange for Carl’s contract.
Kevin Nolan from Notts County on a free – After Kevin was sacked as gaffer at Meadow Lane, he approached us to negotiate a move for himself to keep fit – and with Michael’s sudden retirement, his joining was much-appreciated. 

Matchday 24
 
- vs Luton @ Fratton Park, 1/2/2017
 
Result: 2-2
 
Scorers: Paul Smyth (61’, 76’) / Josh McQuoid (52’, 83’)
 
> The stumbles continue as we are unable to hold our lead here and allow Luton to pick up the point to start 2017.
 
Matchday 25
 
- vs Orient @ Fratton Park, 1/14/17
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (12’, 80’)
 
> We pick up our first win of the year as Paul Smyth continues his hot streak here against a smothered Orient side
 
Matchday 26
 
- vs Crawley @ Broadfield Stadium, 1/21/17
 
Result: 1-1
Scorers: Kyle Bennett (40’) / Enzio Boldewijn (54’)
 
> We go back to our stuttering ways here in a disappointing draw against a Crawley side closer to the drop than the top..
 
Matchday 27
 
- vs Exeter @ Fratton Park, 1/28/17
 
Result: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Eoin Doyle(18', 69'),Curtis Main (1’) ,/ Reuben Reid (48')
 
> Pompey end January on somewhat of a high note after an early blitz buried Exeter.

Pompey in the table after January: 27P, 14W,8D,5L - 50 points and 3rd, 3 points behind Blackpool and Doncaster.
 
Join us next time as we recap February and March here on Raising the Ship! How will the new transfers gel? Will we pull near the Tangerines and Rovers? Find out next time,and follow the chime!

    
 

[KennyMiller27]

 
Part 5– Turning Up the Heat
 
Jackie Penham here, welcoming you all to Raising the Ship, as we follow the adventures of Portsmouth FC! We’re getting into the home stretch here, as we talk about February and March here today! What happens now? Let’s find out!

Matchday 28
 
- vs Doncaster Rovers @ Keepmoat Stadium, 2/1/17
 
Result: 5-1 to Pompey
 
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (3’, 20’, 45’), Curtis Main (41’), Kal Naismith (55’) / John Marquis (6’)
 
> Statement. Sent. Doncaster Rovers came in thinking they would cast us off the title race and turn it into a straight duel between them and Blackpool but NOT TODAY, BOYS!
 

Matchday 29
 
- vs Wycombe @ Adams Park,  2/4/17
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (83’), Lukas Cmelik (46’) / Dayle Southwell (40’)
 
> The momentum from last week’s win continues here on this trip to High Wycombe as we escape with a second straight win after an Eoin Doyle thunderbastard late seals all 3 points.
 
Matchday 30
 
- vs Stanley @ Fratton Park, 2/11/17
 
Result: 1-1
Scorers: Paul Smyth (45’) / Sean McConville (12’)
 
> The unbeaten streak runs to 3 games now as a dogged Stanley defence get a draw against our game boys here.
 
Matchday 31
 
- vs Blackpool @ Fratton Park, 2/14/17
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Kevin Nolan (43’), Conor Chaplin (64’) / Mark Cullen (80’)
 
> Reeled. IN. Blackpool have been tracked down and taken from the top of League Two here today by a combination of young and old in the midfield.
 
Matchday 32
 
- vs Barnet @ the Hive, 2/18/17
 
Result: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Conor Chaplin (15’), Paul Smyth (29’), Matt McClure (85’) / Elliot Johnson (69’)
 
> Six games unbeaten now as a very game Barnet side are defeated at their swanky new home here today. 

 Matchday 33
 
- vs Carlisle @ Brunton Park, 2/25/17
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
 
Scorers: Paul Smyth (5’), Lukas Cmelik (86’) / Jordan Holt (62’) 

> Our cross-coast trip comes up trumps as we make it 3 wins on the bounce and 7 unbeaten overall to start creating some separation between us, Blackpool and Doncaster.
 
Matchday 34
 
- vs Morecambe @ Fratton Park, 2/28/17
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
Scorer: Paul Smyth (25’ & 78’)
 
> Pompey close up a blazingly hot run of form in February here with their 4th straight victory against a Morecambe side drifting helplessly away from safety here.

Pompey in the table at the end of February: 34P, 19W, 7D, 5L; 64 points and 1st, 4 points ahead of Blackpool.

 
Matchday 35
 
- vs Crewe @ Fratton Park, 3/4/17
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (76’), Matt McClure (29’)

> There’s no rest for the humming machine, as Pompey make it 5 straight wins now here against a hopelessly mid-table Crewe side.

Matchday 36
 
- vs Colchester @ Weston Community Stadium, 3/11/17
 
Result: 1-0 to Pompey
Scorer: Paul Smyth (21’)

> Pompey’s lead is starting to balloon here – our 6th straight win widens the gap between us and Blackpool to 11 points now.

Matchday 37
 
- vs Grimsby @ Fratton Park, 3/14/17
 
Result: 2-2
Scorers: Matt McClure (9’, 82’) / Adi Yussuf (72’), Ashley Chambers (90’)

> Grimsby take advantage of a petulant red from Matt Clarke to pull back from deficits twice and cause us to drop points for the first time in 7 games.

Matchday 38
 
- vs Stevenage @ Broadhall Way, 3/18/17
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Harry Paton (47’), Conor Chaplin (86’) / Rowan Liburd (41’)

> We bounce back here and keep our merry run going, as a smash-and-grab win in Hertfordshire clinches us promotion.

Matchday 39
 
- vs Newport @ Fratton Park, 3/25/17
 
Result: 3-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (45’), Joseph Holland (59’), Conor Chaplin (63’)

> 14 games unbeaten now, as a routine dismantling of a poor Newport side keeps the gap between us and Blackpool at 11 points.

Matchday 40
 
- vs Hartlepool @ Victoria Park, 3/29/17
 
Result: 3-2 to Pools
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (5’), Ashley Harper (22’) / Josh McQuoid (52’), Billy Paynter (73’, pen 90’)

> Our unbeaten run ends here at 14 in dramatic fashion, as a late Billy Paynter brace hands Pools a vital win in their survival bid.

Pompey in the table at the end of March: 40P, 23W, 8D, 6L; 77 points and 1st, 8 points ahead of Blackpool.

It’s the run-in now – will Pompey hold their nerves and win the League? Find out next time here on Raising the Ship, and follow the chimes!
 

added 0 minutes later

 
Part 6 – The Home Stretch
 
Jackie Penham here, welcoming you all to Raising the Ship, as we follow the adventures of Portsmouth FC! We’re already up after that 14-match unbeaten streak through February and March – will we win the league now? Let’s find out!

Matchday 41
 
- vs Yeovil @ Fratton Park, 4/8/17
 
Result: 2-1 to Pompey
 
Scorers: Eoin Doyle (63’), Joseph Holland (85’) / Francois Zoko (58’) 
> We gain revenge for our earlier defeat at Huish Park here against Yeovil and march closer to the title, as Blackpool fall 13 points behind after this matchday.
 

Matchday 42
 
- vs Plymouth @ Fratton Park,  4/14/17
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (1’), o,g (90’)
 
> We clinch the double over Argyle here in a cagey match where chances were at a premium and move to within 1 more win of the title.
 
Matchday 43
 
- vs Notts County @ Meadow Lane, 4/17/17
 
Result: 2-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Paul Smyth (6’) / Lee Desmond (15’)
 
> AND YOUR SKY BET LEAGUE TWO CHAMPIONS – PORTSMOUTH FC!
 
Matchday 44
 
- vs Cambridge @ Fratton Park, 4/22/17
 
Result: 1-0 to Cambridge
Scorer: Joe Pigott (9’)
 
> The U’s play the part of party-poopers on our title presentation day with an early Joe Pigott strike.
 
Matchday 45
 
- vs Mansfield @ Field Mill, 4/29/17
 
Result: 0-0
 
> Nothing to see here, just a drab dead-rubber draw between two clubs with nothing to play for anymore.

 Matchday 46
 
- vs Cheltenham @ Fratton Park, 5/6/17
 
Result: 1-0 to Cheltenham
 
Scorer: Billy Waters (44’)

> A dead-rubber sees us lose to a Cheltenham side who end up still going down after a Grimsby win on the last day.

Final placement: 46P, 28W, 10D, 8L; 94 points and 1st, 3 points ahead of Blackpool.

We’re going up! See you all next time on Raising the Ship, and follow the chimes!
 

[KennyMiller27]

 
Part 7 – Checkatrade Capers
 
Jackie Penham here, welcoming you all to a special edition of Raising the Ship, as we follow the Checkatrade Trophy run Portsmouth had this year. Can we get through this competition unscathed and maybe do well? Let’s find out!

Group Stage

  - Pompey were drawn in Group J along with Plymouth Argyle and Coventry City.

Group J tie 1 of 2 - vs Coventry at the Ricoh, 8/30/16
Score: 5-0 to Pompey
Scorers: Chaplin (26’,56’), l’Anson (42’), Doyle (71’), Burgess (87’)
-    Nothing really to say about this fixture – Coventry didn’t take us seriously and we responded by thumping them to the point of near-elimination from the Trophy.

Group J tie 2 of 2 – vs Plymouth at Fratton Park, 11/8/16
Score: 1-1, 5-4 win on penalties
Scorers: E. Doyle (15’) / Slew (49’)
-    A surprisingly dead tie, made even more pointless by Plymouth already being eliminated at this point.

First KO Round – vs Bristol Rovers at Fratton Park, 12/6/16
Score: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Main (27’, 53’) / Easter (90’)
-    A surprisingly cagey tie ends with Pompey winning comfortably here, and collecting a League One scalp.

Second KO Round – vs Oxford United at Fratton Park, 1/23/17
Score: 1-1, Pompey win 4-2 on penalties
Scorers: Naismith (25’) / Ashby (12’)
-    A typical swarming performance though Oxford had Simon Eastwood to thank for keeping them in the tie – until penalties happened and they had 2 saved.
Area Quarterfinal – vs MK Dons at Stadium.mk, 2/8/17
Score: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Chaplin (1’), Smith (37’, 65’) / Maynard (57’)
-    Another League One scalp claimed as we run riot in Milton Keynes.
Area Semifinal – vs Charlton at Fratton Park, 2/22/16
Score: 1-0 to Pompey
Scorer: Chaplin (44’)
-    A cagey semifinal sees Connor Chaplin’s chip before halftime be the difference and take us to our first trip to Wembley since the 2009 Community Shield

2017 CHECKATRADE TROPHY FINAL
V
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
4/2/17

Score: 0-0, 3-0 on penalties

-    This isn’t the trip to Wembley we expected to be honest – but we did enough on the day to win the Checkatrade Trophy and add some silverware to the cabinet.

 

added 0 minutes later

 
Part 8 – Cup Adventures
 
Jackie Penham here, welcoming you all to a special edition of Raising the Ship, as we follow the EFL Cup and FA Cup runs Portsmouth had this year. Could we match our magical run of 2008? Let’s find out!

EFL Cup

First Round – vs Walsall at Fratton Park, 8/9/16
Score: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Main (10’), E. Doyle (18’), Smyth (85’) / Jackson (72’)
-    We begin our EFL Cup adventure with a relatively soft draw in Round 1 and a summary dismissal of our Midlands-based opponents to move onto Round 2.

Second Round – vs Middlesbrough at the Riverside, 8/24/16
Score: 2-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Harper (40’), Main (87’) / Leadbitter (pen 90’)
-    Oh, cranky Karanky. You underestimated us and look at the applecart being tipped over. TOP-FLIGHT SCALPING!

Third Round – vs Nottingham Forest at Fratton Park, 9/21/16
Score: 1-1, 3-2 on penalties
Scorers: Harper (8’) / Tshibola (44’)
-    Raphael Speigel, you beauty. Three saves in a row dump Forest out of the EFL Cup and see us move on to the Fourth Round.

Fourth Round – vs Brighton at the AMEX, 10/25/16
Score: 3-1 to Pompey
Scorers: Chaplin (pen 14’, 20), Smith (59’) / Hemed (9’)
-    Apple-cart upset number 3! Brighton just could not stop us – 3 shots on goal and 3 goals spells doom whatever the divisional gap!

Quarter-Final – vs Leicester at Fratton Park, 11/29/16
Score: 1-0 to Pompey (!!!)
Scorer: Harper (21’)
-    Well wouldya believe it? No scalp bigger than dumping out the Champions of England, this – and all thanks to an 18-year old!

Semi-Final – vs Manchester United. Ties played 1/11/17 and 1/25/17
Scores: 6-0 to United on aggregate; 3-0 both legs
Scorers: Rashford x2, Biglia, Rooney, Pogba, Schweinsteiger
-    The dream dies at this stage as a ruthless Manchester United side brush us aside emphatically at this stage. The only consolation we have is losing to the eventual cup-winners.

FA Cup

First Round – vs Macclesfield Town at Fratton Park, 11/5/16
Score: 2-0
Scorer: Main (9’, 62’)
-    No surprises here, as we overwhelm the Conference strugglers here and move on to Round 2.
Second Round – vs Exeter
First tie – 0-0 at St. James’ Park on 12/3/16
Replay – 1-0 (Holland 13’) at Fratton Park on 12/14/16
-    A poor showing here overall as we need a replay to defeat a scrappy Exeter side.
Third Round – vs Norwich City
First tie – 0-0 at Fratton Park on 1/7/17
Replay – 2-1 a.e.t at Carrow Road on 1/18/17
Scorers: Naismith (94’), Jerome (110’) / Smith (96’)
-    The FA Cup dream ends here in Round 3 after a heroic effort sees us push the Canaries all the way to extra time and then only lose by one goal.

[mcandrew003]

Just read through all the updates there mate, a fantastic season! Was kept in suspense all the way through, and I especially like the update style. KIU!

[KennyMiller27]

On 5/3/2017 at 00:28, mcandrew003 said:

Just read through all the updates there mate, a fantastic season! Was kept in suspense all the way through, and I especially like the update style. KIU!

Thanks man!I actually did get a bit nervy around the end!

[KennyMiller27]

Pre-season 2 – Upward Trajectory?

Hello, and thank you for joining us again this year as the Club make the step up to League One. I’m totally grateful and humbled by the warm welcome and support you’ve shown me and the players last season and we also thank you for the support and pushing us to the League Two title, an EFL Cup semifinal berth and victory in the Checkatrade Trophy. On our end, we assure you we will do our very best to consolidate in League One, and again perform well in the Cups. Now, allow me to introduce you to the new members of the squad, and I ask that you show them the same warm welcome you did me. Play up Pompey, and see you all at Fratton Park!

Yours,
John Barton
Manager, Portsmouth FC

New Squad Members:

1. Gaetan Coucke (GK, BEL), signed from KRC Genk on a Bosman
2. Mickey Seys (GK, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Bury
3. Arne Galens (GK, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Salford
4. Daniel Azevedo (GK, POR), signed from Benfica on a Bosman; loaned to Grimsby
5. Paolo Arrivas (RB, BEL), signed from Zulte-Waregem on a Bosman; loaned to Brackley
6. Dani Morer (RB, ESP), signed from Barcelona on a Bosman; loaned to Newport
7. Arne Peeters (RB, BEL), signed from Westerlo on a Bosman; loaned to Solihull Moors
8. Alan Wanya (RB, BEL), signed from Sint-Truidense on a Bosman; loaned to Blackpool
9. Zeb Cannaerts (CB, BEL), signed from Westerlo on a Bosman; loaned to Barrow
10. Thijs Couckuyt (CB, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Boreham Wood
11. Harvey Rodgers (CB, ENG), formerly of Hull City; loaned to Cheltenham
12. Luis Defresne (CB, BEL), signed from Charleroi on a Bosman; loaned to Newport 
13. Anthony Seys (LB, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Boreham Wood
14. Marco Friedl (LB, AUT), signed from Bayern Munich on a Bosman
15. Zeki Fryers (LB, ENG), formerly of Crystal Palace
16. Jackson Irvine (CM, AUS), signed from Burton Albion for £900,000 and the contract rights to Milan Lalkovic
17. Chris Dawson (CM, WAL), signed from Rotherham on a tribunal-set fee of £28,000
18. Luke Amos (CM, ENG), formerly of Tottenham Hotspur
19. Alvaro Fidalgo (CM, ESP), signed from Real Madrid on a Bosman; loaned to Leyton Orient
20. Walid Houssane (CM, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Barrow
21. Younes Teghmas (CM, MOR), signed from Royal Antwerp on a Bosman; loaned to Guiseley
22. Dani Wilms (CM, BEL), signed from Mechelen on a Bosman; loaned to Whitehawk
23. Che Hudson (CM, ENG), Brighton Academy product; loaned to Dartford
24. Sammy Rush (CM, ENG), Portsmouth Academy product
25. Duncan Whalley (CM,ENG), Portsmouth Academy product
26. Raheem Russell (LW, ENG), Portsmouth Academy product
27. Finidi Vandendriessche (LW, BEL), signed from Zulte-Waregem on a Bosman
28. Seppe Gantois (LW, BEL), signed from Kortrijk on a Bosman; loaned to Guiseley
29. Massimiliano D’Errico (ST, BEL), signed from Tubize on a Bosman; loaned to Forest Green
30. Ivan Rosario (ST, BRA), signed from Westerlo on a Bosman; loaned to Braintree Town
31. Jai Quitongo (ST, SCO), signed from Greenock Morton for £2,000,000
32. Yaya Sanogo (ST,FRA), formerly of Arsenal

Squad Departures:

1. Maciej Wasilewski to Pogon Szczecin for £750,000
2. Joseph Holland to Stevenage for £800,000
3. Curtis Main to Barnsley for £775,000
4. Kal Naismith to Luton for £650,000
5. Christian Burgess to Barnsley for £475,000
6. Matt McClure to Oxford for £400,000
7. Tom Davies to Plymouth for £60,000
8. Kealan Dillon to Bath City for £20,000
9. MJ Kedman to Burton Albion for £20,000
10. Nathan Owen to Poole Town for £20,000
11. Jack Collins to Kidderminster Harriers for £14,000

Pre-season Results:

4-1 v Boston Utd
2-1 v Hull
1-1 v Sunderland
2-2 v Shrewsbury

 

added 0 minutes later

Part 8 – Mid-season Report

Good day, and Happy Holidays to the fans! I’m happy to report that as of December 31, 2017, Portsmouth are undefeated in the League, with 16 wins and 9 draws from 25 matches in the League. We may have started off exceedingly slow, with four of our draws coming in succession after an opening day win against Scunthorpe, and only having 2 wins before the September international break. Once the squad returned from the break though, we rattled off six straight victories,, and only dropped points four other times, to stand on top and erect a 17-point lead over second-placed Oxford United into the New Year. We hope to see you pack the gates and cheer the boys on!

Yours,
John Barton
Manager, Portsmouth FC

New Squad Members:

1. Kwame Boateng (RB, ENG), signed from Bradford in a swap for Amine Linganzi
2. Doke Schmidt (CB, NED), formerly of Heerenveen
3. Scott Allan (CM, SCO), signed from Celtic in a swap for Luke Amos
4. Sammy Ameobi (LW,NGA), formerly of Bolton

[KennyMiller27]

Part 9 – End-of-season Report

Good day, and thank you to all the fans that supported us this year! A glorious year sees us win the League One title with six games to spare as we GO UNBEATEN with 32 wins and 14 draws for 110 points and a 27-point margin over second-placed Millwall. The hot-streak kept going despite a wobbly January where, adjusting after several Championship clubs came in for 75% of our backline, we almost lost to Sheffield United on New Year’s Day and Bury at the end of the month – with Cup ties up the calendar then. We clinched the title with a 1-0 win over Plymouth on March 25th, despite suffering a tired patch beforehand where we drew the two games previous.

In the Cups, we reached a second consecutive semifinal in the EFL Cup, eventually falling to Arsenal 6-4 on aggregate after beating Swindon, Hull, Spurs, Blackburn and Newcastle. The FA Cup was not as illustrious, falling to Bournemouth in the 4th Round after defeating Dover Athletic, Barnsley and Liverpool to get there. Meanwhile, we retained the Checkatrade Trophy by the closest of margins in beating Bury on penalties.

I hope to see you all on Opening Day next season as we mark the 10th anniversary of the FA Cup win with a good season back in the Championship!

Yours truly,
John Barton
Manager, Portsmouth FC

Squad Departures:

1. Matt Clarke to Sunderland for £6,000,000
2. Lee Desmond to Cardiff for £2,500,000
3. Kwame Boateng to Partick Thistle in a swap for Scott Adams
4. Michael Smith to Rotherham for £1,100,000
5. Jack Whatmough to Preston North End for £4,000,000

Squad Additions:

1.  Liam Lindsey (CB, SCO) for £1,300,000 from Partick Thistle
2. John Souttar (CB, SCO) for £1,000,000 from Hearts
3. Jack Marriott (ST, ENG) for £500,000 from Rochdale
4. Cameron Brannagan (CM, ENG) for £450,000 from Liverpool

[mcandrew003]

Another fantastic read there bud, well done on those successes this year! A really inspirational save for anybody thinking of an LLM type career, keep up the good work mate!

[BatiGoal]

Like @mcandrew003 I do enjoy your journey and the update too, parts of it to be totally honest, but having a single follower -OK 2 incl. me- surely must be a little disappointing after the long hours you're putting into this.

Let me be clear, I'm in no way telling you how to write careers as we all have -and should have- our own style but I just hate to see you putting so much effort in it for such a small response from the community.

Maybe use a screenshot for certain bits such as the lengthy transfer update as it's much easier on the eye. Or if you opt for no pics then maybe focus on the significant bits only. Some readers are put off by looong paragraphs.

Pls don't take it to heart, like your previous Blue Moon Rising career, this one deserves a little more love too and I hope it starts to pick up soon. Goodluck!

[mcandrew003]

 

9 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Like @mcandrew003 I do enjoy your journey and the update too, parts of it to be totally honest, but having a single follower -OK 2 incl. me- surely must be a little disappointing after the long hours you're putting into this.

You trying to say my support isn't good enough? 

I agree, I was reading through it and thinking 'why has nobody else commented, this is brilliant stuff!' I enjoy long reads and short reads personally, but i see why some people don't like one of the two. Maybe try some of the points Bati suggested, but if not you still have me and BG following your journey to greatness. Hope some more people get invested.

[KennyMiller27]

Preseason #3 - Comets in the Championship

 

Welcome back to Raising the Ship,and it's the dawn of the 2018-19 season!Pompey have flown up the divisions since appointing John Barton and now find themselves in the Championship - will they crash back to League One or stay up though?Let's see!

 

Transfer Talk

(presented by bet365)

 

Ins:

 

- The theme of the summer transfers was depth and defensive solidity,with a heady mix of high-potential youth, Premiership academy graduates that got buried in the first teams and a heady veteran presence to solidify the squad.

 

IMPACT TRANSFERS:

 

 

- Arguably the biggest signing for Pompey in a while, Prem stalwart Jack Cork joins us on a free after being released by Swansea. He brings us not only high-level skills but the wisdom gained from years in the top flight with Swansea,Soton and Chelsea.

 

 

 

- Last season,our softest flank was arguably the right,especially when Felipe Alfonso got hurt over the holidays. Enter the upgrade - we come a-calling at Tynecastle again and sign Scottish international Callum Paterson to be the #1 RB.

 

 

- Coming in on a scout's recommendation,the Swedish U-21 captain joins us for extra firepower after a 15-goal season in the Eredivisie for NEC Nijmegen.

 

Outs:

 

 

 

 

- Welp,the exodus happened. Most of our stalwarts either got picked off by bigger clubs or agitated for moves. Special shout-out to the numpties like Yaya and Scott for demanding moves.

Preseason ties:

 

1-1 v Stevenage

2-0 v Crewe

4-2 v Torquay

2-0 v Macclesfield

 

Join us next time as we cover the start of the season!

 

 

 

[mcandrew003]

Nice presentation mate, looks really good now. Some quality transfers in there, Paterson and Cork included.

[KennyMiller27]

39 minutes ago, mcandrew003 said:

Nice presentation mate, looks really good now. Some quality transfers in there, Paterson and Cork included.

Ah,thanks mate!Finally had time to bash out a proper update!

[BatiGoal]

Wing Back Paterson looks really nice all-round. Could even make a decent Winger if needed. What position are you planning on playing him?

Love the update!

[KennyMiller27]

3 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Wing Back Paterson looks really nice all-round. Could even make a decent Winger if needed. What position are you planning on playing him?

Love the update!

RB/RM - especially if 4-4-1-1 works!

[KennyMiller27]

Part 10 - Oh My God, They're Back Again

 

Matchday 1 - at Griffin Park

 

 

> No stage fright for the boys on their Championship return, withstanding the barrage of shots from the Brentford attack and making their chances count.

 

Matchday 2 - at Fratton Park

 

 

> Well that was a cracker. Hull almost turning us over the way we did Brentford scared me but a late laser by super Jack Marriott makes it 2-for-2 to start - and his red got rescinded on appeal after video shows Ryan Mason diving!

 

Matchday 3 - at Ashton Gate

 

 

> Super Jack saving our skins and crushing Bristol dreams as we nick a point from sure defeat.

 

Matchday 4 - at Fratton Park

 

 

> And then there are days like these; Cardiff punished for wasteful finishing and us taking our chances means a thumping win to close out August!

 

 

The Table,sponsored by Coca-Cola

 

[mcandrew003]

Great month pal! Liking this save a lot now, bring on the next update!

[BatiGoal]

Solid start and Super Jack is already showing his value for the team.

[KennyMiller27]

17 minutes ago, BatiGoal said:

Solid start and Super Jack is already showing his value for the team.

It's crazy how stupidly good his stats are for League Two - played a Luton save for kicks and he nabbed 169 goals in 3 1/2 years!

[KennyMiller27]

Part 11 - Settling In

 

Matchday 5 - at Fratton Park

 

 

> September begins with a disappointingly lucky draw against a Forest side emerging as an early promotion favorite.

 

Matchday 6 - at Portman Road

 

 

> A scrappy visit to Suffolk sees us split the points with a defensively compact Ipswich side who *may* have dove for their spot-kick.

 

Matchday 7 - at the Galpharm

 

 

> One of those draws where it's two points dropped,as we let the equalizer slip in soft circumstances.

 

Matchday 8 - at Fratton Park

 

> Jack Cork's reunion with the Swans turns out more like an acrimonious episode of Maury as they inflict our first league defeat in FIFTY-FIVE matches.

 

Matchday 9 - at the Den

 

> Super Jack saves our skins yet again as he breaks hearts all across Bermondsey with his late winner.

 

Matchday 10 - at Fratton Park

 

> We wrap September up with a routine victory against a poor Franchise side lucky to get a goal in.

 

The Table,presented by Coca-Cola

 

[mcandrew003]

Pompey for the Premiership!

[KennyMiller27]

8 minutes ago, mcandrew003 said:

Pompey for the Premiership!

I wish that happened IRL!

(also creepy stroke of coincidence - Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle went up with us in this save - a full week before they did IRL)

[KennyMiller27]

Part 12 - What's Going On?

 

Matchday 11 - at Bramall Lane

 

 

> Wasteful,wasteful,wasteful. Definitely two points dropped and our shittiest performance in this save.

 

Matchday 12 - at Fratton Park

 

 

> Another relatively scrappy performance from the boys pays off with a late Paul Smyth rocket for the win.

 

Matchday 13 - at Elland Road

 

 

> A well-deserved draw for both sides as both goalies stood on their heads.

 

Matchday 14 - at Fratton Park

 

 

> We get punished for fluffing our performance here as Boro take the points.

 

Matchday 15 - at London Road

 

 

> Super Jack, Super Jack, gets pressed and don't give a f***!

 

The Table, presented by Umbro