Thanks for the Boys of 2003 memories

But, increasingly, his features told of his annoyance at what he saw as being overlooked for the Boys of 2003 gathering.

‘It’s not as if I did anything is it?’, the former Pompey boss ironically stated when told of the grand event taking place tomorrow night.

As it is, the invite was sent Redknapp’s way via Linvoy Primus ahead of the evening which will celebrate one of the great Pompey sides.

Redknapp did air the reservation a ‘nutter’ could also make his mark if he did show his face at the Marriott Hotel.

That was a reference to those who will never forgive what they perceive as the ultimate betrayal of crossing the south coast divide to manage Southampton in 2004.

The fact he returned to deliver one of the most successful passages in Pompey’s history is by the by for the hardcore fan.

One well-placed onlooker described the emotions akin to that felt by a scorned lover, when explaining the strength of feeling over his exit to Redknapp.

Twelve years on from that departure, however, we should surely now view what unfolded through different eyes.

It may have been one of the most tumultuous and dramatic periods in the club’s history – but it also delivered some of the best football ever produced by Pompey.

And the sight of the Boys in 2003 in full flow remains one of the most beautiful in the club’s 118-year history.