Portsmouth are a Hampshire based professional football team. They are nicknamed Pompey and their fans are known as the 'Blue Army'. In honour of the fan's support, Portsmouth have retired the shirt number 12- the fans are said to be the team's '12th man'. Since their formation, in 1898, they have played their home matches at Fratton Park- a 21000 seat stadium with a old-style look about it- a ground capable of drumming up a fearsome atmosphere for visiting teams.

Portsmouth have had a bitter rivalry with local neighbours Southampton, although it is a relatively infrequent derby match due to the fact that Portsmouth and Southampton are rarely in the same division- in only 3 seasons since 1977, in fact, have the two met in league encounters. The two clubs are situated only 17 miles from each other.