Don Goodman makes ‘massive’ Portsmouth, Derby County claim ahead of League One finale
Don Goodman is looking forward to seeing Portsmouth – and potentially Derby County – back in the Championship next season.
Pompey ended their 12-year wait for a return to the second tier earlier this month, doing so in style by also sealing the title.
Derby are favourites to join them in going up automatically, as a point at home to Carlisle United next weekend will see them claim second place.
After years of disappointment and near-misses for Pompey, Goodman is glad the club are finally back in the Championship.
“Not only have they been out of the second tier a while, they’ve been down in League Two,” he told Pompey News. “They fell from grace as low as they could go in reality and have been chasing ever since.
“They’ve been knocking on the door at the top of League One for so many years now. Now they’ve finally made it and it’s just reward for the fanbase really because they’re brilliant fans.
“Fratton Park is a great place to play football and the Championship will embrace a club like them. They’ll likely be joined by Derby County so there’s two massive clubs coming back up into the Championship.”
Portsmouth ready for Championship return
There is a big summer ahead for Portsmouth – both on and off the field – as they gear up for a return to the second tier.
Some players will move on and others will need to be brought in, with the aim of then staying in the division next season.
The fact that promotion was sealed so early means that the club have a headstart in terms of preparations for the 2024-25 campaign.
Before the excitement can build for that, there is the small matter of Lincoln City away next weekend.
After an incredible campaign, fingers crossed John Mousinho’s men can bow out with another victory in front of the travelling fans.
In other Portsmouth news, the women’s side showed true fighting spirit to see off Cheltenham Town Ladies.
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