A match at Fratton Park in January 2017 saw Luton’s Cameron McGeehan stretchered from the pitch with a broken leg.
Much was made of a spat with the home support at the time, but fast forward three years and a lot has changed.
After arriving on loan from Barnsley at the turn of the year, he quickly became an integral part of Pompey’s midfield.
And a dramatic late goal against Exeter in February helped secure a spot at Wembley in the Leasing.com Trophy, before the coronavirus pandemic brought the campaign to a halt.
McGeehan said: “It’s certainly funny how these things can go, but that happens in football – and also in life, I guess.
“That incident with the stretcher feels like a long time ago now and at the time it was obviously hugely frustrating.
“But it was really just one story in my career as a whole and that goal in the semi-finals was another of them.
"The goal seemed to take a bit of a deflection on its way through, but I should have had a few more, so I’m definitely taking that one!"
“I have to say that I feel a lot stronger with regards to the first thing and after coming back, I seem to have built up a good relationship with the fans.
“The goal seemed to take a bit of a deflection on its way through, but I should have had a few more, so I’m definitely taking that one!
“There was a lot of excitement in that game and a really dramatic end, although the league has always been what it ultimately comes down to.
“It would have been a great thing to do go out at Wembley for the final – but I have to be honest in picking the priority for me.”
McGeehan has joined other members of the Blues squad in volunteering to support vulnerable people in the community.
He said: “It’s really humbling to help out. We come along and do our bit, but there are other guys working there all the time and they deserve all the credit.
“The lads have got involved and quite a few of us have been going around to different houses and delivering food.
“Everyone’s donated some money because we’ve seen all the great work that’s been done by HIVE Portsmouth.”