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Portsmouth Football Club were founded after the disbandment of Royal Artillery FC in 1898.

The new club was immediately admitted to the Southern League First Division, finishing as runners-up in their first season, and as champions in 1902.

Financial Crisis

In 1911 Portsmouth Football Club suffered a severe financial crisis and was only saved after substantial guarantees were offered to the club's bankers by the new board of directors.

Climbing the League Ladder

In 1920, with the incorporation of the Southern League into the Football League, Pompey were placed in the Third Division (South).

They won the Division Three (South) title and promotion to Division Two in 1924.

Two years later, on the last day of the season, they dramatically pipped Manchester City for promotion to the First Division.

Pompey lift the FA Cup

After two seasons of struggling to survive, the club began to establish themselves in the top flight. They reached the FA Cup final in 1929 and 1934, and in 1939, unfancied Pompey beat a strong Wolves side 4-1, to lift the trophy.

Back to Back Champions

When football resumed after the war Portsmouth Football Club had a formidable side which won the League title in 1949, and again in 1950.

Decline and Fall to Division Four

However, the club fell into decline throughout the 1950s, and by 1961 found themselves in Division Three.

Promoted at the first attempt, they spent the next 13 years as a mid-table Second Division side, before a fresh crisis in the mid Seventies saw them on the slide again. They were in Division Four by 1978.

The Long Road Back

Two years later they began the slow climb back through the leagues.

They won promotion in 1980 and again in 1983, and in 1987, Pompey finally returned to the First Division.

Their stay was a brief one - they were relegated back to Division Two in 1988.

In 1992 they were FA Cup semi-finalists and the following year reached the promotion playoffs.

Back in the Top Flight

However, they were not in contention again until 2003 when they earned promotion to the Premier League as Division One Champions.

FA Cup Winners Again

2008 proved a memorable year for Pompey as they won the F.A. Cup for the second time in their history after beating Cardiff City 1-0 at Wembley.

Meltdown

It was to prove a false dawn as the club was engulfed by financial problems.

Four different owners came and went during 2009/10 and Portsmouth were placed in administration and docked nine points. Relegation inevitably followed, with the small consolation of another FA Cup final where they were beaten by Chelsea.

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