Andy Cullen acknowledged that with players without contracts facing their Fratton fate, Pompey’s first team setup is going through one of its most trying times.
After winning League One, Blues manager John Mousinho was informing the team’s fifteen prospective free agents yesterday about their futures.
Although the yearly retained list is anticipated to formally certify the news, it is thought that the team has already been told of their positions.
That occurred yesterday during a series of one-on-one sessions with each player, during which their upcoming seasons and positions were discussed.
Connor Ogilvie, Joe Morrell, Captain Marlon Pack, Sean Raggett, and Zak Swanson are a few players whose current contracts expire this summer.
Following Pompey’s League One title triumph, the process has been quite harsh, and this Sunday’s celebrations at Southsea Common will be the pinnacle of the festivities.
Cullen emphasised that the players will always be remembered as legends, despite the terrible circumstances that have transpired.
He stated: “Obviously, one of the hardest things in football is releasing players.” As a team, you accomplish things, but every football team experiences player turnover every year. That is the way the game we play really works.
That’s the reason why what’s transpired is so unique for a unique collection of people. It was wonderful that they could celebrate together because of this.
“Players will also take away those memories, even though supporters will lose a lot of them.” They’ll recall the group they were a part of.As we commemorate 125 years, we consider many groups and personalities.
“They will all tell you about the fantastic teams they were a part of, and in the future, this group will return to Portsmouth together to share their memories with the fans.”
If players from the present group get inducted into the Hall of Fame, that decision belongs to others, but I’d be shocked if that list didn’t get expanded to include the heroes of this season.’
