1971-1972: Pompey finish in the lower reaches of Division Two, and a return to Division One seems as unlikely as ever.
1972-1973: Lowest league attendance ever at home. Less than 5,000 at the Middlesboro match. John Deacon joins the Board, starting an association that will cover the next decade and a half.
1973-1974: Deacon now steps up to Chairman, with John Mortimore appointed manager.
1974-1975: Mortimore sacked. Ian St John takes over.
1975-1976: The Club finishes bottom of Division 2.
1976-1977: John Deacon appeals for public support, as the finances take a dire turn. £20,000 is raised by the "Save Our Soccer" organisation. lan St John is relieved by Jimmy Dickinson as manager.
1977-1978: Despite the best efforts of fans, the club still face awful financial trouble. Against this backdrop, the club is relegated to Division 4.
1978-1979: PFC in the league basement for the first time. At their lowest ebb, Pompey sit 91st in the league ladder, a sad turn of events for a club who had won the League Championship just 30 years previously.
1979-1980: Light at the end of the tunnel PFC take full points from first 5 matches. The fans react favourably. League attendances of up to 23,000 and 31,743 watch PFC draw 1-1 with Middlesbrough in FA Cup Rd 3. Promoted to Division Three - finally it seems as if the tide is turning.