‘The biggest shame is knowing I’ve a lot to give in the next division’ – Joe

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‘I still feel I can play in the Championship, 100 per cent.

‘When I came here, unfortunately my last season there with Preston didn’t see me play as much as I would have liked ( just five Championship outings in 2021/22), I wasn’t in favour with the manager.

‘But the other two-anda-half years went really well under Alex Neil – and I know how good a manager he is.

‘I know if someone took me in the Championship,

I’d be more than capable of playing there. That’s probably the biggest shame for me, knowing I have a lot to give in the next division and it’s a bit gutting I haven’t been given that chance.

‘When I brought the news home to my wife, she was really upset. She had just got fully settled down here, we moved to our home in Portchester in October. I was also a bit upset, even though I don’t really show it.

‘But you’ve just got to look at how good it has actually been and every time I think of a certain point of the season and certain trip, you can’t help but smile. It has been wonderful.’

Liverpool-born Rafferty was among 18 Pompey players who spent a week in Las Vegas celebrating their remarkable season, before returning last week.

Now he’s on the lookout for a new club, with interest already lodged by a number of admirers – Wigan reportedly among them.

He added: ‘Although I disagreed with the manager, we had a really good conversation and there’s no hard feelings towards him or any of the staff.

‘I have spoken to Jon Harley and Zesh (Rehman) since. Those three have been brilliant for us, there’s definitely no hard feelings. There are disagreements but that’s football.

‘It has been such a good season and, as much as I’m disappointed with having to leave, we are definitely leaving on a high.

‘People go through their whole careers without having a season like we’ve had. To be champions of the league is incredible and I’m really proud of myself and all the lads for achieving it.

‘I understood how difficult it is to get out of this league, so to achieve it in the manner we did was absolutely incredible.’