Marlon Pack makes Southampton confession after St Mary’s development
Portsmouth are staying up, Southampton are going down, and a bitter rivalry dormant for too long is all set for a bustling return.
Pompey and Saints have competed in separate leagues since they were both in the Championship in 2011-12, when both games were drawn; Joel Ward netted a crucial late leveller at Fratton Park, while nobody will ever forget what David Norris did in the reverse fixture 19 miles or so west.
The duo met back at Fratton in 2019 in the League Cup when two divisions apart, which unfortunately told on the night despite a bright start for Pompey. It would also be the only occasion James Ward-Prowse, former Blues season ticket holder and ex-Saints captain, played back on old home turf in his career to date.
Marlon Pack makes derby admission ahead of next season
Portsmouth thought briefly that they would be returning to the Championship to take on Southampton, only for the red side of Hampshire to earn promotion via the play-offs.
Their abysmal season this time around, however, has ensured a relegation which nicely sets up the home and away derbies for 2025-26.
It was 20 years ago on Thursday (24 April) that Portsmouth overcame Southampton 4-1 at Fratton Park, all the goals coming in the opening 26 minutes of the pulsating Premier League battle.
The wait both sets of supporters have endured will make the occasion even more hostile, a viewpoint backed up by local lad and Pompey skipper Marlon Pack.
Speaking to BBC Radio Solent (24 April, 04:37), Pack has admitted the first thought to enter his mind after securing survival on Easter Monday was the reunion of Pompey with their bitter neighbours.
“I think that’s where my first thought goes after staying up, and I think that’s the same for all Pompey fans in recent weeks,” the captain confessed.
“With Southampton confirmed as relegated quite early, that’s where my mind does go. I was a kid going to those games. Fratton Park’s a hostile environment for most games anyway, but for that Southampton game, it’s a different level.
“As a Pompey lad, it’s one for the bucket list that I’m really looking forward to ticking off. It’s one we’re all really looking forward to, and it’s great for both teams. We’ve not had that rivalry in the league for a while. It’ll be some atmosphere, some occasion, for both games.”
Portsmouth v Southampton fixture eagerly awaited
Portsmouth and Southampton used to play each other with great regularity, with bragging rights wrestled between the two sides in a rivalry which goes beyond the football.
Ask anyone of any age in the city – not many have ever seen an individual walk the streets of Portsea Island in a Southampton shirt aside from on a derby day.
It is vital the derby returns, inexplicably forgotten about or underestimated at times by supporters of clubs across the country. This time next year, a few reminders are likely to be offered – just hopefully in a positive way.
| Last five South Coast derbies | Date |
| Portsmouth 0-4 Southampton (League Cup) | 24 September 2019 |
| Southampton 2-2 Portsmouth (Championship) | 7 April 2012 |
| Portsmouth 1-1 Southampton (Championship) | 18 December 2011 |
| Southampton 1-4 Portsmouth (FA Cup) | 13 February 2010 |
| Portsmouth 4-1 Southampton (Premier League) | 24 April 2005 |
Thursday 26 June at 9am. Mark it in the diaries – this is when the full Championship fixture list for 2025-26 will be released, and Blues fans will discover which two dates will take priority over the rest of the footballing calendar. Or any calendar.
Just ask Marlon Pack.