The original Portsmouth Football Club was formed in 1898 after local team Royal Artillery fell out of favour. A meeting of five local businessmen and sportsmen brought together by solicitor Alderman JE Pink invested in an area of land which was to become Fratton Park. As original members of Division Three in 1920, the naval city's club flourished with the introduction of the Third Division (South) the following year. Pompey finished top of the 1923-24 table and 1927 saw a dramatic last-day promotion to Division One, beating Manchester City to the second promotion place by slenderest of goal average margins - 1/200th of a goal. The period of success under legendary manager Jack Tinn continued and saw FA Cup final appearances in both 1929 and 1934. But Tinn - who was in charge from 1927 to 1947 - helped Portsmouth get their hands on the famous trophy with a 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1939. After World War II, Portsmouth continued to be one of the leading sides in the country, winning back-to-back League Championships in 1949 and 1950. But they were unable to sustain that success and through the 1960s and 1970s the club was outside the upper echelons - and even had a brief stay in Division Four. But Pompey found their feet once again and recorded a series of elevations in the early 1980s, culminating in their first top-flight season in almost three decades in 1987-88. Relegation followed a year on and a series of managers attempted to restore the side back to former glories. After 16 years, Harry Redknapp - a Premiership veteran with West Ham - guided them back to the top with a flowing brand of football.

but they still hunting several quality players.. if they sign more, they can be a serious contender for the league. keep it up pompey.

im quite sure that dario silva left during the january transfer window...

But there still got plenty to improved. 2-3 more quality signing like James & Campbell will mak e the squad more stronger & flexible. My predict they will take Euro spot this season.

Portsmouth have finally completed the loan signing of Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandeswith a view to a permanent deal.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has been chasing the highly-rated 20-year-old for much of the summer but has finally got his man.

Fernandes has been recovering from a groin injury since mid-July and is unlikely to be match-fit for some time. He had been linked with a £10million switch to Fratton Park in July but mid-summer reports suggested he failed two medicals.

Fernandes, who is a product of Benfica's youth system, made his first-team debut during the 2003-04 season, under then coach Jose Antonio Camacho.

He became a first-team regular the following season under Giovanni Trapattoni's stewardship as the Lisbon-based club won their first Portuguese title in 11 years.

The youngster has also represented his country at senior level, playing in the friendly international defeat to the Republic of Ireland in February 2005.

nwanko kanu is gonna be epl's top scorer if he continues scoring like this....wonderful thrashing of middlesbrough..

Quite a good start for Pompey this season...hopefully u guys will do well

Sol perform better than before when with Arsenal. Maybe new air & condition for him.

Brazilian star Denilson is training with Portsmouth with a view to joining the ambitious Premiership outfit.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after failing to agree fresh terms with Bordeaux this summer.

The likes of Celtic and Tottenham showed interest over the summer but no offer materialised.

Now big spending Portsmouth are checking on the winger as manager Harry Redknapp looks at further ways to bolster his squad.

"We are taking a look at him," Redknapp told The Mirror.

Earlier this month Denilson was in talks with Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nasr about a move to The Middle East.

The club even claimed a deal was done, but it seems Denilson is still considering his options and the man who was the most expensive player in the world when Real Betis paid over £20 million for him, could end up at Fratton Park.

New Pompey supremo Alexandre Gaydamak is known to be keen on bringing some big names into the club and he will no doubt provide the finances for Denilson, should Redknapp decide he is a player he wants.