Pompey’s 125th birthday celebrations begin next month, when several former Blues heroes will make the trip back to Fratton Park.
The home match against Forest Green on Saturday, April 1 – just four days before the milestone anniversary itself – sees the first of a series of events that have been planned to mark the occasion.
Those confirmed to be returning for the game include Alan Biley, Noel Blake, Terry Brisley, Chris Burns, Ray Crawford, Steve Davey, Michael Doyle, Johnny Ertl, Colin Garwood, Hermann Hreidarsson, Martin Kuhl, Gavin Maguire, Mick Mellows, Pedro Mendes, John Milkins, Dave Munks, David Norris, Darryl Powell, Collin Sullivan, Svetoslav Todorov, Keith Viney, Paul Walsh, Dave Waterman and Paul Wood.
There will also be representatives from the families of the late Alan Ball, Jimmy Dickinson and Mick Kennedy.
The club have set up a committee to oversee the year-long celebrations, with Colin Farmery from the Pompey History Society acting as chair.
He said: “I am really looking forward to the birthday game against Forest Green, which is the closest home match to the formation of the club on April 5 in 1898.
“The former player parade we have planned will kick-off what I hope will be a great year of events to celebrate the club’s rich heritage.
“These players span the generations and also represent some key moments in Pompey’s history, including promotions, championships and, of course, the FA Cup win in 2008, which none of us who were there will forget.
“My main personal focus at the moment is editing an all-new history of the club, which promises to be the definitive book on Pompey. Around the birthday weekend we will be launching a special subscriber edition of the book, which is scheduled for publication in September.”
A range of special events will be taking place next season, while dedicated 125-related products will be available to buy in the Pompey Shop from April.
The Pompey Champions of England wall is also going to be unveiled on April 1, documenting the period when the club secured the top-flight title in both 1948/49 and 1949/50.
You can make your matchday extra special and be closer to the celebrations in Club 125 – click here for more details.