The 14 Portsmouth players without contracts are anxiously awaiting word on whether they will be joining Fratton Park

April 23, 2024 Akura Portsmouth 0

This week, Pompey will expedite the process of determining which of their current, soon-to-be free agents will be part of their Championship plans and stay at Fratton Park for the upcoming season.

The club did not want to begin the task of speaking with players while their chances of being promoted and winning the title were still in doubt. However, now that a spot in the second tier has been guaranteed, that phase of the proceedings can start.

With contracts that are set to expire at the end of June, a total of 14 members of the Blues’ championship-winning squad and first-team operations are waiting anxiously to hear the club’s plans for them.

It is necessary to make some difficult choices, some of which will undoubtedly make PO4 sad that their time at the club is coming to an end.

Whose futures, though, are at stake? The players who are currently in the last few weeks of their current Fratton Park contracts are listed below.

Note: Loanees who spent the season at the club are not included in the figure.

The midfielder missed the League One run-in after picking up a knee injury against Oxford on January 30. Up until that point, the Wales international had started 27 league games for John Mousinho's side - with two red cards preventing the 27-year-old from adding to that total. In his absence, the Blues recruited midfielders Owen Moxon and Lee Evans, whom helped deliver the League One title. Morrell, who has 105 Pompey appearances to him name over the past three years, has Championship experience with previous club Luton. The Blues have a one-year option on Morrell's contract.

1. Joe Morrell

The midfield player sustained a knee injury against Oxford on January 30 and was unable to play in the League One finale. The Wales international had started 27 league games for John Mousinho’s team up to that point, but he was barred from adding to that total by two red cards. In his place, the Blues brought in Lee Evans and Owen Moxon, two midfielders who contributed to the League One victory. Having played in the Championship with Luton in the past three years, Morrell has 105 Pompey appearances to his credit. Morrell’s contract has a one-year option with the Blues.

The Pompey Academy graduate has 18 Blues appearances to his name - but the last of those came in August 2022 against Crawley in the EFL Trophy, before heading to Gillingham on loan. The 22-year-old has spent each of the past three seasons away from Fratton Park, with National League side Aldershot his latest stop-off point. Mnoga has made 37 appearances for the Shots, who finished eighth in the National League table.

2. Haji Mnoga

The August 2022 EFL Trophy match against Crawley marked the last of the Pompey Academy alum’s eighteen Blues appearances before he was loaned to Gillingham. The 22-year-old has not played at Fratton Park for any of the previous three seasons; his most recent stop has been at National League team Aldershot. Mnoga has played in 37 games for the eighth-placed Shots in the National League.

The defender ran Marlon Pack close in The News' Pompey player of the season poll, missing out by just one per cent in the vote. That's after he sat out large chunks of the opening months of the campaign as he played second fiddle to Regan Poole. He finished the season with 44 appearances, a League One winner's medal and chants from the Fratton faithful backing him for an England call-up! A cult figure at PO4, the ever-reliable has made more than 200 appearances for the Blues over the past four seasons.

3. Sean Raggett

In the Pompey player of the season poll conducted by The News, the defender narrowly lost out to Marlon Pack by a mere 1% of the vote. That follows his absence from a significant portion of the first few months of the season due to his subordinate role to Regan Poole. With 44 appearances, a League One winner’s medal, and encouragement for an England call-up from the Fratton supporters, he concluded the season strong! Over the last four seasons, the dependable player who has gained cult status at PO4 has made over 200 appearances for the Blues.

The keeper signed a short-term contract with Pompey in January after being without a club since his Luton departure last summer. He was unable to dislodge Will Norris as the Blues' No1, though, as he remained on the bench without making an appearance. The 29-year-old has 21 Pompey appearances after a loan spell from the Hatters over the second half of them 2022-23 season.

4. Matt Macey

The goalkeeper was without a club since leaving Luton in the summer of last year, but he signed a short-term deal with Pompey in January. But he couldn’t unseat Will Norris as the Blues’ starting quarterback because he stayed on the bench and didn’t play. After spending the second half of the 2022–2023 season on loan from the Hatters, the 29-year-old has made 21 appearances for Pompey.

The right-back has made 44 appearances for Pompey following his move from Arsenal in the summer of 2022. The 23-year-old has spent the majority of that time as Joe Rafferty's back-up, but John Mousinho proved often enough this season that he wasn't afraid to freshen up his defence and rotate his right-sided full-back. Indeed, following his return from injury, Swanson has featured in five of Pompey's past eight games. The Blues have an option on the defender.

5. Zak Swanson

After leaving Arsenal in the summer of 2022, the right-back has made 44 appearances for Pompey. The 23-year-old has supported Joe Rafferty for the most of that time, but this season, John Mousinho showed he wasn’t scared to switch up his defense and start his right-sided full-back more frequently. In fact, Swanson has played in five of Pompey’s last eight games since his injury return. The defender is available to the Blues.

The former Barnsley and Norwich winger signed a short-term deal with the Blues in November following a successful trial. It was then renewed in January until the end of the season. The 22-year-old has made nine appearances for Pompey, two of which came as league starts. Martin has not played, though, since a two-minute cameo appearance as a sub against Oxford at the beginning of March. The winger has also been absent from the past eight Pompey match-day squads.

6. Josh Martin

After a successful trial, the former winger for Barnsley and Norwich agreed to a short-term contract with the Blues in November. After that, a January renewal was granted through the end of the season. Nine appearances for Pompey have been made by the 22-year-old, two of which were league starts. However, Martin hasn’t participated in a game since making a brief, two-minute cameo against Oxford at the start of March. The winger has also missed the previous eight Pompey matchday rosters..

The club captain fulfilled a lifelong ambition when he lifted the league championship trophy for boyhood club Pompey on Saturday. It was just reward for his sterling performances and leadership over the course of the season - qualities that saw Pack secure a clean sweep of the numerous player of the year awards that were up for grabs. The 33-year-old featured 38 times in the league this season, scoring three times and recording nine assists. A player with huge Championship experience, his presence was essential during the run-in.

7. Marlon Pack

When the club captain lifted the league championship trophy for his childhood team, Pompey, on Saturday, he achieved a lifelong dream. The recognition was a fitting tribute to his exceptional performances and leadership throughout the season, which helped Pack win every player of the year award that was available. This season, the 33-year-old made 38 appearances in the league, tallying three goals and nine assists. Having played in many championships, he was a vital player in the final stretch.

The keeper has featured six times for Pompey this season following his free transfer move from Huddersfield in the summer. All six have come in various cup competitions, though, while the 24-year-old dropped to third in the pecking order following Matt Macey's January arrival.

8. Ryan Schofield

 

This week, Pompey will expedite the process of determining which of their current, soon-to-be free agents will be part of their Championship plans and stay at Fratton Park for the upcoming season.

The club did not want to begin the task of speaking with players while their chances of being promoted and winning the title were still in doubt. However, now that a spot in the second tier has been guaranteed, that phase of the proceedings can start.

With contracts that are set to expire at the end of June, a total of 14 members of the Blues’ championship-winning squad and first-team operations are waiting anxiously to hear the club’s plans for them.

It is necessary to make some difficult choices, some of which will undoubtedly make PO4 sad that their time at the club is coming to an end.

Whose futures, though, are at stake? The players who are currently in the last few weeks of their current Fratton Park contracts are listed below.

Note: Loanees who spent the season at the club are not included in the figure.

The former Ipswich midfielder featured four times for the Blues over the season run-in after Pompey turned to him in February to help with their injury worries. His quality has been apparent in those outings, leaving Pompey to make a decision upon the expiry of his short-term deal. Evans has Championship experience with Ipswich, Wigan, Sheffield United and Wolves.

13. Lee Evans

The former Ipswich midfielder was brought on by Pompey in February to help with their injury concerns, and he played four times for the Blues during the final stretch of the campaign. Those appearances have demonstrated his quality, so Pompey will have to decide what to do when his short-term contract expires. Evans has played in championships for Wolves, Sheffield United, Ipswich, and Wigan.

The graduate from the Pompey Academy has featured nine times for the Blues at senior level. The 20-year-old last played for Pompey in December when he came on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy exit at the hands of AFC Wimbledon. The midfielder has spent the season on loan at the Hawks, who finished second from bottom in National League South.

14. Harry Jewitt-White

The Pompey Academy alumnus has made nine senior-level appearances for the Blues. The 20-year-old’s last appearance for Pompey was as a substitute during the team’s EFL Trophy loss to AFC Wimbledon in December. The midfield player has been on loan with the Hawks, who placed second in the National League South, for the entirety of the season.

The right-back has been a reliable and consistent performer for Pompey ever since his free transfer move from Preston in 2022, establishing himself as a fans' favourite at Fratton Park. The 30-year-old has featured 41 times in all competitions this season, while 35 of his 38 league appearances has been starts. The three seasons prior to Rafferty's Fratton Park move were spent in the Championship, where he made 61 appearances for North End.

9. Joe Rafferty

Since joining Pompey on a free transfer from Preston in 2022, the right-back has proven to be a dependable and consistent player, winning over the supporters at Fratton Park. This season, the 30-year-old has made 41 appearances across all competitions, with 35 of those appearances coming in the league as starts. Rafferty played in the Championship for North End for three seasons before moving to Fratton Park. During that time, he made 61 appearances.

The 21-year-old left-back is still waiting on his Pompey debut after arriving from non-league Bromley in the summer of 2021. That's because he's spent the majority of his time at Fratton Park out on loan, with Tonbridge Angels his latest port of call.

10. Liam Vincent

The left-back, who arrived from non-league Bromley in the summer of 2021, is currently waiting for his Pompey debut. He is 21 years of age. This is due to the fact that he has been out on loan from Fratton Park for the most of his career, most recently to Tonbridge Angels.

The defender is one of just two survivors of Kenny Jackett's spell in charge at Fratton Park - but what a signing he's proven to be. The 28-year-old is a 7/10 player every week at least and rarely lets the Blues down. He's made 120 appearances for the club, which would have been higher had it not been for a couple of injuries this season. Still featured 24 times in the league this term as he contributed hugely to Pompey's title success.

11. Connor Ogilvie

Just two players from Kenny Jackett’s tenure at Fratton Park remain, including the defender, but what a find he’s shown to be. Every week at the very least, the 28-year-old scores a 7 out of 10 and seldom lets the Blues down. If not for a few injuries this season, he would have had more appearances for the team than his 120 total. He still made 24 appearances in the league this season, greatly aiding Pompey in their championship run.

 

The Pompey Academy graduate has missed the entire season after suffering an ACL injury in Pompey's pre-season friendly against Gosport Borough.

12. Josh Dockerill

The former Pompey Academy player sustained an ACL injury during Pompey’s preseason friendly against Gosport Borough, and has missed the entire campaign.Pictured by Jason Brown

This week, Pompey will expedite the process of determining which of their current, soon-to-be free agents will be part of their Championship plans and stay at Fratton Park for the upcoming season.

The club did not want to begin the task of speaking with players while their chances of being promoted and winning the title were still in doubt. However, now that a spot in the second tier has been guaranteed, that phase of the proceedings can start.

The former Ipswich midfielder featured four times for the Blues over the season run-in after Pompey turned to him in February to help with their injury worries. His quality has been apparent in those outings, leaving Pompey to make a decision upon the expiry of his short-term deal. Evans has Championship experience with Ipswich, Wigan, Sheffield United and Wolves.

13. Lee Evans

The former Ipswich midfielder was brought on by Pompey in February to help with their injury concerns, and he played four times for the Blues during the final stretch of the campaign. Those appearances have demonstrated his quality, so Pompey will have to decide what to do when his short-term contract expires. Evans has played in championships for Wolves, Sheffield United, Ipswich, and Wigan.

The graduate from the Pompey Academy has featured nine times for the Blues at senior level. The 20-year-old last played for Pompey in December when he came on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy exit at the hands of AFC Wimbledon. The midfielder has spent the season on loan at the Hawks, who finished second from bottom in National League South.

14. Harry Jewitt-White

The graduate from the Pompey Academy has featured nine times for the Blues at senior level. The 20-year-old last played for Pompey in December when he came on as a substitute in the EFL Trophy exit at the hands of AFC Wimbledon. The midfielder has spent the season on loan at the Hawks, who finished second from bottom in National League South.

This week, Pompey will expedite the process of determining which of their current, soon-to-be free agents will be part of their Championship plans and stay at Fratton Park for the upcoming season.

The club did not want to begin the task of speaking with players while their chances of being promoted and winning the title were still in doubt. However, now that a spot in the second tier has been guaranteed, that phase of the proceedings can start.With contracts that are set to expire at the end of June, a total of 14 members of the Blues’ championship-winning squad and first-team operations are waiting anxiously to hear the club’s plans for them.

It is necessary to make some difficult choices, some of which will undoubtedly make PO4 sad that their time at the club is coming to an end.

Whose futures, though, are at stake? The players who are currently in the last few weeks of their current Fratton Park contracts are listed below.

Note: Loanees who spent the season at the club are not included in the figure.

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