Where are they now? Pompey’s derby day side of 10 years ago
THIS week marks a decade since Pompey played out their 1-1 derby day draw against Southampton.
It was certainly an occasion Joel Ward will never forget, as the Emsworth lad scored the Blues’ goal and went on to be named man of the match.
But what happened to Michael Appleton’s side who turned out at a vibrant Fratton Park that Sunday afternoon?
We’ve been doing our digging to hunt down the starting XI and substitutes from that December day – and what they are doing now.
1 STEPHEN HENDERSON
Keeper went on to have a well-travelled career, turning out for the likes of West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Briefly returned in 2018 and is now playing for Charlton at the age of 33.
2 JOEL WARD
A day the Emsworth lad will never forget as he scored Pompey’s goal and was named man of the match.
Been a loyal servant to Crystal Palace, where he is still playing in the Premier League at 32.
3 RICARDO ROCHA
Went on to become a huge Pompey favourite and served the club in two spells.
Now lives in Portugal, from where he told The News in 2019 he was doing sporting director qualifications and TV commentary.
4 GREG HALFORD
Had a good career in the game for the likes of Sunderland, Wolves and Nottingham Forest and most recently turned out for League of Ireland side Waterford.
5 JASON PEARCE
Went on to play for Leeds, Wigan and now Charlton after leaving Fratton Park.
Now 34, Pearce has made 13 appearances for the Addicks this term.
6 JOE MATTOCK
Arrived at Fratton Park on the same day as George Thorne.
The left-back has had spells at Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday, while he’s been at Rotherham for the past six years.
Scored a last-minute winner against Pompey in 2018.
7 LIAM LAWRENCE
Made 55 appearances after arriving in 2010, and went to play for the likes of Cardiff, PAOK Salonika and Shrewsbury.
Now the lead under-15 coach at Stoke.
8 HAYDEN MULLINS
Went on to play for Reading, Birmingham and Notts County after leaving Pompey in 2012.
Had a spell in charge of Watford and is now head coach at League Two outfit Colchester.
9 DAVID NORRIS
Went on to play for the likes of Leeds, Peterborough and Blackpool and now turns out for non-league Lancaster City at the age of 40, although he’s currently sidelined with a knee injury.
Also runs a successful personal training studio.
10 GEORGE THORNE
The midfielder made 14 appearances on loan from West Brom.
The England youth international turned out for the likes of Derby, Luton and Oxford but has struggled with injuries and is without a club at the age of 28.
11 DAVE KITSON
Spent nearly two years at
Pompey after joining with Liam Lawrence in 2010 as Marc Wilson moved the other way.
Made 72 appearances and scored 12 goals before moving on to Sheffield United and Oxford.
Now chairman at non-league Arlesey Town and involved as a coach with Grenfell Athletic – a team formed in the community impacted by the tower fire which killed 72 people.
12 JAMIE ASHDOWN
A loyal servant who spent eight years at Pompey.
Broke a post-war club record for most minutes without conceding a goal between February and March 2011.
Now a coach for Ascot United’s youth and first team, and told The News he works in a family hardware store business in an interview last year.
13 AARON MOKOENA
Captained South Africa during their home World Cup in2010.
In 2012 he left Pompey and joined Bidvest Wits in his homeland, where he now runs an academy and works as a businessman.
14 MARKO FUTACS
Powerful forward made 29 appearances and scored five goals for Pompey.
Went on to play for Leicester and Hajduk Split, and now turns out for
NK Olimpija Ljubljana in Slovenia at the age of 31.
15 ERIK HUSEKLEPP
The baby-faced Norweigan proved a decent signing from Bari, scoring six times before he was loaned to Birmingham after Pompey went into administration.
Having returned to his homeland, the 37-year-old is playing for fourth-tier side Fyllingsdalen, where he started his career.
16 BENJANI
The cult hero was in his second spell at Pompey, where he called time on his career after leaving in 2012.
Lives in Ringwood and has just been announced as Zimbabwe’s under-23 coach.