Portsmouth defender Sean Raggett is out of contract at Fratton Park this summer
Portsmouth defender Sean Raggett is out of contract at Fratton Park this summer

View: Sean Raggett is dying breed of defender who will be missed by Portsmouth

Dan Godfrey

Dan is a sports writer and broadcaster, who wrote for Breaking Media Limited's club sites including Pompey News between May 2024 and May 2025. Graduating from the University of Huddersfield in 2018 with First Class Honours in Sports Journalism, Dan has worked with several EFL clubs, as well as with BBC Radio, talkSPORT and TNT Sports. He previously resided in Sydney, Australia, where he continued his career as a freelancer in various sports. Dan was born and raised in Portsmouth, comes from a Pompey-supporting family, and was in attendance at both of the club's FA Cup finals in 2008 and 2010.

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As the dust settles on Portsmouth's sensational League One title-winning season, the club's retained list has brought supporters back down to earth somewhat.

Among those to leave - and for many the most emotional departure - is Sean Raggett, who amassed a superb 239 appearances and 17 goals across five years in Pompey blue.

Head coach John Mousinho admitted this week it was the right time for the club and Raggett to part ways, as Pompey move in a new direction with four contracted central defenders on their books.

A rangy, commanding presence on the eye, the perception of Raggett may be that of earlier days, when he was one of Pompey's side targeted when playing out from the back under the Cowley brothers.

But some may wonder if the cut-and-thrust, physical nature of the Championship may have seen 6'5'' Raggett benefit the team for another year under Mousinho.

Statistics have also proven this season that his next club do in fact have a defender comfortable in possession, with a passing accuracy of 82%, including 65% in the opposition half [Sofascore].

His aerial ability has been recognised as his strongest suit from day one, with a duel success rate of 74%, and his defending on the deck has been exemplary during his 38 League One matches this term, being dribbled past an average of only once every five games.

How much will Portsmouth miss Sean Raggett?

The former Lincoln City man's revival during the season owes he and his mentality a lot of credit.

Between August and October this season, Raggett played just 100 minutes of league football - 90 of those were in one start against Port Vale - a clean sheet and victory.

Sean Raggett leaves Portsmouth after 239 appearances
Raggett leaves as a Pompey stalwart

After a run of matches from November, the signing of Tom McIntyre knocked him out of the starting XI again. Then a long-term injury to the January recruit meant Raggett became Mr. Reliable at Fratton Park, playing every minute until he missed the final match away at his former club.

The emotion felt by Raggett upon finally winning League One promotion is reflected amongst all who watched him. He was Pompey's longest-serving player.

And with 12 clean sheets to his name during the campaign, the immaculate professionalism he has exhibited and his growth as a player, witnessed proudly by the Pompey fans, all mean Raggett will be remembered as more than just a cult hero on the South Coast.

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