9 Biggest Downward Spirals By Former Premier League Clubs

3. Portsmouth

With a loud and passionate fan base, Portsmouth were a welcome addition to the top flight when they won promotion in 2003; Pompey was a small club with big ambitions, but overspending on a limited budget led to the club's descent into chaos. Portsmouth won promotion to the Premier League following a period of investment, and the club secured mid-table finishes in their first two seasons in the big time. Pompey's most successful season was 2007-08, finishing eighth in the Premiership and securing a famous FA Cup victory over Cardiff City. The success won them a place in European competition for the first time in Pompey's history, taking part in the UEFA Cup the following season, pulling off a famous 2-2 draw with giants AC Milan. During this period the club had several big-name players, including England internationals Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Glen Johnson and David James. The players were signed on big wages that proved unsustainable for a club the size of Portsmouth to pay out. UAE businessman Sulaiman Al Fahim bought the club in May 2009 and the club started to sell its top players to ease its financial troubles. Crouch, Johnson, Sylvain Distin and Nico Krancjar all left within a short amount of time and later that year, the club faced a winding-up order from HM Revenue and Customs. The club was placed into administration in 2010 and a nine-point penalty consigned the club to relegation. The club quickly tumbled down the divisions, getting relegated to League One in 2010 and League Two a year later. Last season they finished 16th but are in the fight for a playoff place this time around.