Portsmouth boss Guy Whittingham wants to make fans proud

Portsmouth boss Guy Whittingham has urged his players to make the club's fans proud of them this season.

Pompey will be the biggest supported club in League Two with over 10,000 season tickets sold.

And Whittingham has urged his players to repay the supporters who rescued the fan-owned club from liquidation.

"Like all people you want to be successful and you want to win and being successful would mean being promoted," Whittingham told BBC South.

Pompey begin their season by hosting Oxford United, with the game an 18,200 sell-out, and Whittingham says his side must give those fans something to be proud of.

The Portsmouth Supporters' Trust completed their takeover of the club in April after a long-running battle with former owners Portpin.

It ended a 14-month spell in administration for the club, who subsequently begin their first season in English football's fourth tier since 1980 without a points deduction.

"Success is that first and foremost we are here at the end of the season, having given the fans something to cheer about and having given the fans a team to be proud of," he said.

"Whether than means a team who have got promoted or a team that have dug in and showed respect for every single fan that is out there who wants to see them give 100%. That is first and foremost.

"We will be trying to win promotion but we are realistic and we understand it's going to be a tough task."

Meanwhile, Pompey have confirmed defender Ricardo Rocha will not be returning to the club after the two parties could not agree a deal.