Pompey fans call for Fratton rebuild

Pompey Supporters' Trust wish to consult fans over the future of the club's home.
Rebuilding Fratton Park is the favoured option for fans. Picture: Joe PeplerRebuilding Fratton Park is the favoured option for fans. Picture: Joe Pepler
Rebuilding Fratton Park is the favoured option for fans. Picture: Joe Pepler

Yet according to The News’ web poll, the overwhelming desire is to remain at a rebuilt Fratton Park.

Earlier in the season, a Pompey Stadium Working Group was created to plot the way ahead of the Blues.

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It involves club chairman Iain McInnes, Trust board member Mike Saunders and one of the club’s presidents, Peter Lee.

Now Saunders, a registered architect, is heading a sub-group seeking to work with Trust members on the matter.

Those interested in contributing have the opportunity to mould the Trust’s approach to Fratton’s future, whether it be through opinions or relevant skillsets.

According to Saunders, there are three options open to the club at present.

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These consist of staying at Fratton Park and doing nothing, staying at Fratton Park and rebuilding or relocating to a new stadium.

On Monday, The News posted an online poll at portsmouth.co.uk to gauge the opinion of our readers.

More than 1,110 different people responded to register their vote.

The results show that staying at Fratton Park and rebuilding was comfortably the most popular option, with 68 per cent of the vote.

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In second place was the concept of relocating to a new stadium (28 per cent).

While only four per cent believed the favoured alternative should be remaining at Fratton and carrying out no improvements.

Although only a small representation of the fanbase, the poll provides an interesting insight into the thoughts of supporters.

Pompey’s home since 1898 has long been an emotive subject, with a succession of plans, some improbably ambitious, failing to be completed.

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In the meantime, the club was separated from its car park behind the Fratton end, land which has now become a Tesco superstore. Saunders 
insists no decision on the future of Fratton Park has been decided, with a thorough consultation to be explored.

That has thrown up the opportunity to be part of the stadium sub-group, open to the Trust’s 3,755 adult membership, plus 89 junior members.

They can register their interest in volunteering by e-mailing [email protected]

Those who aren’t Trust members can join for £5 a year, subsequently allowing them to volunteer.

For more information visit pompeytrust.com

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Meanwhile, Mark Catlin is the guest at tonight’s meeting of Pompey Supporters’ Club, central branch.

The Blues’ chief executive will be taking questions from fans at the event, which will be hosted in the Alliance Bar from 7.30pm.

The meeting is for members only, however supporters can register on the night and be allowed admittance into the event.