In Focus: Swansea City vs Portsmouth – History, Chimes, and Survival Stakes

The In Focus series continues with a closer look at Portsmouth, the latest visitors to the Swansea.com Stadium. These pieces are about more than form tables or scorelines. They’re about understanding the clubs we face, the traditions they carry, and the challenges they bring when the whistle blows.

Portsmouth arrive with a proud identity and a fanbase that has stood firm through highs and lows. Their story is one of resilience, and every meeting with them carries a sense of history. For Swansea, this fixture is another test of character, another chance to measure ourselves against a side that has known both glory and struggle.

As we turn the spotlight on Pompey, we’ll explore who they are, the man guiding them, the voices of their supporters, and the traditions that echo from Fratton Park. It’s about seeing the bigger picture behind the ninety minutes, and recognising the weight of the contest that lies ahead.

Who are Portsmouth?

Portsmouth Football Club were founded in 1898 and have always played at Fratton Park, a ground that remains one of the most atmospheric in English football. The South Stand, designed by Archibald Leitch in the 1920s, still houses the dressing rooms and boardroom, and is considered the heartbeat of the stadium.

Pompey’s early years saw them rise quickly, reaching the top flight in 1927. Their first great triumph came in 1939, when they lifted the FA Cup with a 4–1 victory over Wolves at Wembley. The post‑war era was their golden age: Portsmouth won back‑to‑back Division One titles in 1949 and 1950, a feat achieved by only a handful of clubs since the war.

Decline followed, with the club slipping down the divisions and even finding themselves in the fourth tier. Yet resilience has always been part of their identity. They returned to the top flight in 1987, and by the mid‑2000s were enjoying a seven‑year stay in the Premier League. The pinnacle of that era came in 2008, when Harry Redknapp’s side won the FA Cup with a 1–0 victory over Cardiff City, securing European football for the first time in their history.

Financial turmoil soon took hold, leading to relegations and administration. In 2013 they dropped into League Two, but fan ownership steadied the ship. Portsmouth became one of only five clubs to win all four professional divisions when they lifted the League Two title in 2017. Stability arrived under new ownership, and in 2019 they added the EFL Trophy to their honours, beating Sunderland on penalties at Wembley.

Today, Portsmouth remain a club defined by tradition, resilience, and a loyal fanbase. Their history is a tapestry of triumphs and struggles, but always with Fratton Park as the constant backdrop.

Their Manager

Portsmouth’s current manager is John Mousinho, appointed in January 2023 after the departure of Danny Cowley. At the time, Pompey were struggling in mid‑table League One, but Mousinho quickly steadied the ship. His first season ended with an eighth‑place finish, a respectable start for a man who had never managed a club before.

Mousinho’s background is unusual. A former centre‑back, he spent much of his playing career at clubs such as Brentford, Stevenage, and Oxford United. At Oxford, he combined playing duties with coaching, serving as captain while also working on Karl Robinson’s staff. That dual role gave him a taste of management and set the stage for his move to Fratton Park.

In the 2023/24 season, Mousinho guided Portsmouth to the League One title, securing promotion back to the Championship with 97 points. It was a landmark achievement, restoring Pompey to the second tier after years of frustration. His first campaign in the Championship saw the club finish 16th, ensuring survival and stability.

Now in charge for nearly three years, Mousinho has become a respected figure at Fratton Park. At just 39, he represents a new generation of managers, blending tactical pragmatism with a clear vision for building the club’s future. Supporters see him as someone who has brought belief back to the side, and his leadership has been central to Portsmouth’s resurgence.

Pompey Ponderings

Steve from Havant has followed Portsmouth for more than forty years, holding a season ticket through the highs of Wembley finals and the lows of relegation scraps. He knows the rhythms of Fratton Park better than most, yet he won’t be making the trip to Swansea this weekend. “It’s a long old journey and I’ve done it plenty of times before,” he says. “This season feels different though. We’re looking over our shoulders more than we’d like.”

Steve admits that the fear of relegation is real. “You can’t ignore it. We’ve had our glory days, we’ve had the cup wins, but right now it’s about survival. Every point matters, and games like this against Swansea are massive.” His words carry the weight of a supporter who has seen the club endure financial crises, promotions, and heartbreak.

Despite his concerns, Steve recognises the importance of the fixture for both sides. “Swansea are fighting their own battles, and that makes it even more intense. It’s not just about three points, it’s about momentum, belief, and keeping the fans onside. We’ve been through enough to know how quickly things can turn.”

For Swansea supporters, hearing voices like Steve’s is a reminder of the shared struggles across football. Clubs rise, fall, and rebuild, but the loyalty of fans remains constant. His reflections underline the significance of this match: two proud clubs, each desperate to find stability, meeting in a contest that could shape the months ahead.

Why the Pompey Chimes?

The Pompey Chimes are one of the most distinctive chants in English football. Their origins go back to the late 19th century, when the clock at Portsmouth Guildhall, built in 1890, would ring out the familiar Westminster Quarters. Supporters adapted the rhythm of those chimes into a chant, and by the early 1900s it was already tied to the club’s identity.

The earliest printed version appeared in the 1900–01 Portsmouth FC handbook, with the words: “Play up Pompey, Just one more goal! Make tracks!”. Over time, the chant evolved into the simple but powerful “Play up Pompey,” sung in unison by thousands at Fratton Park. The connection to the Guildhall clock gave it a unique local flavour, and the Royal Navy’s presence in the city helped spread its use among sailors and dockyard workers.

The Chimes became a rallying cry, echoing through decades of triumphs and struggles. From FA Cup finals to relegation battles, the chant has remained a constant, binding generations of fans together. Even today, when Portsmouth score or need a lift, the Chimes roll around the ground, carrying with them more than a century of tradition.

Their Season So Far

Portsmouth’s 2025–26 campaign marks their second consecutive season back in the Championship after winning League One in 2024. The return has been anything but straightforward. As of early December, Pompey sit 22nd in the table, hovering just above the relegation zone.

Results have been mixed, with flashes of promise undone by poor runs. They were knocked out of the EFL Cup in the First Round at home to Reading, and their league form has been inconsistent. A 3–1 win over Millwall in late November showed what they are capable of, but defeats to Birmingham (4–0) and Sheffield United (3–0) highlighted defensive frailties. In their last eight league matches, Portsmouth have lost six, averaging just 0.94 points per game across the season.

Goals have been hard to come by, with Adrian Segecic leading the scoring charts on just four. Colby Bishop, a key figure in their promotion push, has struggled to replicate his previous form. The squad has seen changes, with summer arrivals like John Swift and Josef Bursik adding experience, but cohesion has been slow to develop.

Heading into the midway point, Pompey’s season is defined by a fight for survival. The club’s loyal support continues to back them, but the pressure is mounting. For Swansea, this fixture is against a side desperate to claw their way clear of danger, making it a contest charged with urgency and significance.

The Referee

The referee for Swansea v Portsmouth is Tom Reeves, a Select Group 2 official from Warwickshire. Reeves began refereeing in 2007, working his way through youth football and the National League before earning promotion to the EFL list in 2021.

This season has seen him step up to Championship fixtures. His first came in October, overseeing Charlton’s 2–1 win against Sheffield Wednesday. The Swansea v Portsmouth clash will be the first time Reeves has officiated a Swansea fixture, which adds intrigue for supporters keen to see how he handles the occasion.

Reeves will be assisted by Ian Cooper and Hugh Gilroy, with Gavin Ward as fourth official. His reputation is that of a calm referee who prefers to let the game flow, but like any official new to this level, he will be under scrutiny. In a contest where points are precious, his decisions could shape the rhythm of the game.

Match Prediction

Swansea have shown composure at home, where possession and patience often give them the edge. Portsmouth, by contrast, arrive with defensive frailties and a struggle to score, though they remain dangerous if given space to counter.

This feels like a contest where Swansea’s ability to dictate tempo could prove decisive. If the midfield holds firm and the defence avoids lapses, the Swans should create enough chances to tilt the balance. Portsmouth will fight, but their recent form suggests they may struggle to sustain pressure.

Prediction: Swansea City 2, Portsmouth 1. A tight game, but one where Swansea’s composure and home support can make the difference.

Who are we?

As the build‑up fades and the match itself draws near, the focus sharpens on what truly matters. Swansea against Portsmouth is not just another fixture. It is a meeting of two clubs with proud histories, loyal supporters, and seasons that demand resilience.

For Swansea, this is a chance to assert control at home, to show the fight that defines us when the pressure rises. For Portsmouth, it is about clawing back belief and proving survival is within reach. Both sides know the stakes, and both sets of fans will feel the weight of it.

What carries us through moments like these is unity. Players, staff, and supporters pulling in the same direction, refusing to let setbacks define us. The atmosphere at the Swansea.com Stadium can lift the team, and it will need to. Every voice matters, every ounce of energy matters.

So let’s stand together. Let’s make sure the noise carries, the belief holds, and the fight is visible from the first whistle to the last. This is our club, our ground, and our moment to show what Swansea City means.

This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.