March 6, 2004, 10 years ago: Arsenal defeat Portsmouth, 5-1, at the Hampshire clubs chilly, rainy, ancient Fratton Park, in the Quarterfinal of the FA Cup. The North Londoners jump out to a 5-0 lead before Pompey (there are varying stories as to the origin of the nickname) get a consolation goal from Teddy Sheringham. Through his playing for Tottenham and Manchester United, Sheringham is one of the most hated opposing players in Arsenal history. Oddly, in League play in that Invincible season, Arsenal didnt beat Portsmouth, drawing 1-1 both home and away. Pompey finished 13th that season. Since then, the financial shenanigans of manager Harry Redknapp have gotten them to 2 FA Cup Finals, winning in 2008 (the only major trophy Harry the Twitch has won in 30 years of managing) and losing in 2010, but also caused their finances to melt down. Twice in recent years, they were literally within hours of going out of business. They now have stable owners, but are in Englands 4th Division. Still, their fans never give up. In the game described above, and in their last home game against Arsenal, Christmas week 2009, despite getting clobbered and sitting through horrible weather in a stadium in serious need of an update and an upgrade, they kept on singing and ringing their cowbells. Theyre not in danger of getting relegated out of the Football League, but it may be a while before they can climb back up Englands football pyramid. I hope they do: Their fans have suffered enough. fm-base.co.uk/forum/attachments/football-manager-2012-stories/256485d1340829998-football-way-living-me-portsmouth_2008.png
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 05:14:50 +0000
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