However it's remembered, Pompey's 2016 will not be forgotten
Yes, 2016 was certainly not short of incident, drama and amusing moments.
Here’s a slightly leftfield look back at the best and worst of a memorable year as we look forward to a brighter 2017.
Best retort
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdJournalist after the Cambridge win: Have you scored many headers? Conor Chaplin: Just the goal of the season against Wycombe...
Worst eyesight
I saw it, you saw it and the whole of Fratton Park saw it – but ref Oliver Langford missed Jamille Matt putting his head into Michael Doyle in the play-off first leg.
Best bit of business
That 20-per-cent sell-on clause put in Premier League-bound Adam Webster’s Ipswich contract.
Worst stats
Pompey clocking up 23 shots to Carlisle’s two but the visitors escape with a 1-1 opening-day draw thanks to a wonder show from keeper Mark Gillespie.
Best Karma
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNewport County boss Graham Westley dances a jig in the technical area with his side 2-0 up. Ten seconds later it’s 2-1 – and 21 minutes after that Kal Naismith bagged the winner.
Worst 94th minute
Can someone just erase the 60 seconds at Morecambe in which keeper Barry Roche scored to earn his side a 1-1 draw.
Best conversion
It was Kal Naismith until he was usurped a week later by Gary Roberts’ penalty miss against Luton.
Worst clobber
Jack Whatmough. No aspiring fashion guru would turn up in the tired old grey fleece tracksuit he rocked up to training in the other day.
Best retaliation
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdPaul Cook, fuming about Derek Adams not returning his calls, goes public on interest in Reuben Reid. A managerial rivalry is born.
Worst celebration
Christian Burgess against Orient. ‘The worst celebration ever in English football,’ according to Gary Roberts.
Best Pele/Zlatan/Zizou impression
Conor Chaplin channels the greats of yesteryear with an overhead-kick fit for Pele in Escape to Victory.
Worst cameo
Blink and you missed him but Conor Wilkinson played 21 minutes against Northampton. Beating defender Dominic Hyam by, erm, 21 minutes.
Best thrashing
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe 5-1 tanning of Barnet was decent – but nothing on Pompey Ladies battering our friends from Southampton 10-2.
Worst wait
All bleedin’ season for the three-game winning run which eventually turned up in April.
Best performance
Luton away edges Accrington.
Worst performance
York edges Newport County.
Best Kofi Annan impression
Michael Doyle fronting up to Pompey fans, who outnumbered home supporters, in the disappointing loss at Barnet.
Worst Kofi Annan
impression
Michael Doyle’s half-time bust-up with Christian Burgess against Stevenage. Who says the players don’t care?
Best interview
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur own Jeff Marshman questioning himself on our Pompey Talk programme.
Check it out. On the other the hand, don’t bother.
Worst Interview
Poor, old BBC Radio Solent reporter Kevan James inadvertently rubbing Paul Cook up the wrong way hours after play-off heartbreak.
The former Hampshire man’s always been more comfortable on the cricket beat.
Best Shakin’ Stevens impression
Kyle Bennett and Kal Naismith team up to get us in the festive spirit with their rendition of Merry Christmas Everyone.
Worst Masterchef
Many of us wish we hadn’t but Milan Lalkovic has never encountered a sprout.