It is hard to imagine that just three years ago Portsmouth, whose very existence is to be decided by the High Court next week, were celebrating winning England’s top cup competition.

It is an almost unprecedented fall from grace, only Leeds’ collapse at the start of last decade is comparable to what had happened at the south coast club as they battle with debts racked up by irresponsible owners.

The magnificent team Harry Redknapp moulded was built on shaky foundations and once one brick was removed the whole thing collapsed.

They lived the dream, but was it worth it?

The FA Cup in 2008 proved to be a competition full of shocks and surprises. The established big four, who had dominated the winners list since 1995, were humbled in the early rounds.

Barnsley proved to be the main protagonists, knocking both Liverpool and Chelsea out of the competition.

Portsmouth faced three Championship sides en-route to the quarter finals, beating Ipswich, Plymouth and Preston to set up a tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford. With the draw opening up, both sides knew the winner would have a great chance of making the final. United were obviously favourites but a late penalty from Sulley Muntari saw Pompey reach Wembley for the first time since 1942.

The semi-finals featured three Championship sides. Pompey’s game against table toppers West Brom was a tight affair decided by a single goal from Kanu. The other game, between Barnsley and Cardiff, was also decided by the single goal, in favour of the Welsh side.

So on May 17th 2008 Portsmouth and Cardiff contested a historic FA Cup final. Cardiff were bidding to become the first side club outside of the top flight to win the cup since 1980, while Pompey had not won the competition since 1939.

The game followed a similar pattern to the semi-final, with the solid defence of Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson and goalkeeper James keeping Cardiff at bay. In the end a scrambled first half goal from Kanu was enough to take the cup to the south coast.

It was one of the greatest days in the history of the club and set up a platform for a successful future. But sadly as we know now the team was bought with borrowed money and that Wembley win could come at the ultimate cost. Even if they stay in business Portsmouth’s Premier League odds suggest they will be playing Championship football next season.

The kit the Portsmouth wore that day was made by New Zeeland based company Canterbury. It was royal blue with thin gold stripes on the sleeves and down the sides. The Canterbury insignia was on the left breast with the club crest opposite in gold. The sponsor was printing company OKI. The cup final shirts also had special patches with the FA Cup logo on either sleeve, while the date of the game and the sides involved were printed in gold underneath the club badge.

In horse racing news fans are looking forward to this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup which will see Denman and Kauto Star go ahead to head once again.