The 2012–13 season was Portsmouth's first season in League One. This was the first time that Portsmouth had played in the third tier of English football since the 1982–83 season. Portsmouth were relegated to League Two on 16 April 2013, following Oldham Athletic's win over Yeovil Town.
1Although officially undisclosed, the Portsmouth News reported the fee to be £600,000.[1]
2Although officially a free transfer, the Yorkshire Evening Post reported the fee to be £250,000.[2]
3Although officially undisclosed, the Portsmouth News reported the fee to be £200,000.[3]
Key events
28 April: After the last game of the season, Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton says that "17 or 18 players could be leaving the club and the same number coming in" in this summer.[4]
3 July: Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor says Portsmouth's players must reach a compromise on wages to save the club.[10]
12 July: Portsmouth have been told by the Football League they will start the new season on -10 points if they are to be allowed into League One.[14]
12 July: The Pompey Supporters Trust says its bid to buy Portsmouth is 'ongoing' and has welcomed news land surrounding Fratton Park could be up for sale.[15]
13 July: Balram Chainrai's Portpin withdraw his bid.[16]
14 July: Márkó Futács refused Portsmouth's new contract and signed with Leicester City, with Pompey receiving compensation.[17]
11 August: Two more trialists join Portsmouth: Jerel Ifil and Jordan Santiago.
11 September: Former Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim starts negotiations to become the third bidder to try and purchase the club.[31]
18 September: Former Watford owner Lawrance Bassani submits a bid to try and buy the club, becoming the fourth bidder in the ownership saga.[32]
19 September: A Fifth bidder has emerged, named as the firm Portco Ltd, fronted by Harry Kerr. But there is still no more news concerning the other 4 bidders yet.[33]
18 October: Portsmouth's administrator Trevor Birch announced that he nominated Portsmouth Supporters' Trust as the preferred bidder for the club.[34]
21 January: Chris Neville (Strength and conditioning coach) signs for Blackburn Rovers.[44]
25 January: Alan Knight is announced as new goalkeeping coach until the end of the season.[45]
30 January: Court Case is adjourned to 14 February.[46]
9 February: Portsmouth equalled its worst run in the club's history with nine defeats in a row and 19 games without a win.[47]
12 February: Portsmouth set a new record in the club's history, after being twenty games without a win.[48]
20 February: Court Case is set to go ahead after four adjournments.[49]
21 February: Court Case is set a 19 April deadline.[50]
27 February: Portsmouth Council finalises PST loan deal.[51]
28 February: Stuart Robinson, who is working with Portsmouth Supporters' Trust, seals Fratton Park land deal.[52]
2 March: Portsmouth end a run of 23-games without a win after a 2–1 victory against Crewe.[53]
5 March: A date is set for the High Court hearing: 10 or 11 April.[54]
8 March: Pompey Supporters Trust exchanges contract with administrators to buy Portsmouth.[55]
5 April: Portsmouth completes 115 years of existence.[56]
9 April: Court Case is confirmed to 10 April, and will begin at 10.30am.[57]
10 April: A deal is agreed for PST to buy Portsmouth.[58]
10 April: PST's chairman, Ashley Brown, released a statement saying that they "have a lot of people to thank", and that "now the next chapter of hard work begins to transform our club into something the community of Portsmouth can be proud of – both on and off the field."[59]
Updated to match(es) played on 27 April 2013. Source: BBC Sport Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 20 April Portsmouth were deducted ten points after coming out of administration.[65]
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 6,780 Referee: Cook
Due to lack of first team players, Development squad matches were not needed for the rest of the season, as Development players were sent out on loan to non-league clubs. In addition to this, development squad supervisor Guy Whittingham became Portsmouth's caretaker manager.
