Pompey admit university training ground talks

As revealed by The News on Saturday, the Langstone Campus is back in the frame after the university initially pulled out of any deal.

Since then, HMS Collingwood and Eastney Barracks have emerged as leading contenders.

Pompey, who will be leaving their training ground in Eastleigh on Thursday after 10 years, will have Fratton Park as their base for changing, gymnasium work and catering but need to travel to pitches elsewhere.

That would appear to cast doubt on Collingwood, considering the journey involved, while there are concerns over Eastney Barracks’ pitches. And dialogue is on-going with the university.

Whittingham said: ‘The university have come back in to see what they can do.

‘They are in the frame and discussions are going on, that’s about all I can say.

‘Collingwood and Eastney Barracks are also there.

‘Every one brings its challenges because every one has got something great, something not so great, strengths and weaknesses. It has been a case of trying to find the best one that fits.

‘Whatever we do we will be basing ourselves at Fratton Park and then travelling to the pitches wherever they might be.

‘Wherever it is, it’ll be until the end of the season.’