Portsmouth: a club reborn – in pictures

Supporters queue around the block, beneath the famous mock-Tudor building at the entrance to Fratton Park, ahead of last Saturday's match against Chesterfield.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Portsmouth were riddled with debt and left on the brink of collapse following a period of seven owners, two administrations and three relegations in quick succession. Micah Hall (right) has been instrumental in the rebuilding of the club. Here, he talks to Steve Byrne, left, a Pompey fan of 48 years.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Past owners splurged huge amounts of cash funding a Premier League side who, under Harry Redknapp, won the 2008 FA Cup. But the land around Fratton Park remains largely derelict.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

But the club is being grown again thanks to supporter-power, and the surrounding land will soon be redeveloped as Portsmouth improve their ground.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

The Pompey Supporter's Trust raised £2.3m to finance the takeover over the club. Iain McInnes, the new chairman, and 10 fellow wealthy individuals invested £1.7m so the trust owns a majority stake in the club.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Fans stream to the ground before kick-off.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Young and old make their way to the ground.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

League Two attendances typically average three or four thousand fans. At Pompey they are turning up in their droves - a remarkable 15,999 fans attended the match against Chesterfield.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

A plaque on the wall near the main entrance is dedicated to 'all those fans who took a stand and refused to allow Portsmouth FC to die'.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

The match is played beneath a sign which proudly acknowledges the fans' ownership of the club. Incidentally, Portsmouth's opponents, Chesterfield, were also taken over by their fans more than a decade ago.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Supporters gesture and shout during the match.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

A mural of former players' jerseys on a wall inside one of the stands is a reminder to fans, who are pictured queuing for half-time drinks, of the club's illustrious but ill-fated past.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

The ground throngs with vocal support.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Two late goals for Chesterfield cause agony for the home fans.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

Despite the defeat, proud fans have smiles on their faces as they go home.
Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian