Portsmouth FC club were initially founded by John Brickwood, the local brewery owner and Frank Brettell, who acted as the club's first manager. In 1899, the club started playing for the Southern League and on the 2 September 1899, they played their first league match at Chatham Town. The club’s first season became hugely successful as they won 20 out of the 28 League matches. Though the team was relegated during in 1911, the appointment of Bob Brown as the manager saw the team getting promoted to the next season.