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It all started in 1898 in the offices of a solicitor, in High Street, Portsmouth where it was decided land close to Goldsmith Avenue be used for the 'proposed football club', that club later became Portsmouth Football Club.

The land in Goldsmith Avenue was purchased for the princely sum of £4,950, and stands were swiftly erected on the north and south sides. The original company was launched with a capital of £8,000 in £1 shares and their were five directors of the new club. Frank Brettell was appointed as the first Pompey manager.

The club's first match was against Chatham on September 2, 1899. It proved to be a successful debut for 'The Shrimps', as they secured 1-0 victory. In fact, playing wise that whole first season proved to be a very good one. Portsmouth won 20 out of 28 league games, and were runners up in the Southern Division to Tottenham.

The visit of Manchester United to Fratton Park in the English Cup gave Pompey their first four-figure gate of 24,329. They managed a brilliant cup run in the 1928/29 season, culminating in their first final appearance, where they lost 2-0 to Bolton. However they got their hands on the cup in 1939 when they thumped Wolves 4-1 in the final. It was without doubt the south coast team's finest hour.

The pinnacle of Pompey's achievements was winning the league title in 1948/49. Their great day came on April 23, when goals from Peter Harris and Ike Clarke sealed the 2-1 title win against Bolton. The following season they successfully defended their title and remained league champions, but Pompey have never reached the same heights since.

Portsmouth were last in the top flight back in the season of 1987/88 under the management of Alan Ball. However they lasted just one season and were relegated back into the old second division - the current first division - where they remained until now.

The Pompey Chimes are still heard at Fratton Park but must be a pale echo of the roar that used to sound from the terraces in the club's heyday, the 30's and 40's. However, at the time of writing things are defintely well and truly on the up with a well earned return to top-flight football in the Premiership following a blistering 2002/03 season.

After many years of uncertanties, the club is now under superb management turning years of financial insecurity into a pale and distant memory. The first phase of the new ground development is due to commence at the end of the 2003/04 season within the Goods Yard - thankfully retaining the club's historical roots in Fratton.