Portsmouth

by **NIGHTMARE** Sat 3 Apr - 1:50:44

Directions & Car Parking

Go along the M27 (ignoring the M275 turn off for Portsmouth town centre) and continue on to the A27. At the junction with the A2030 turn right towards Southsea/Fratton and just continue straight along the A2030 and eventually you will see the ground in front of you, just slightly to your left.

By Train

The nearest local train station is Fratton, which is a ten minute walk away. Portsmouth train station is at least a 25 minute walk away.

On arrival at Fratton by train you pass the ground on the left. Fratton station has a footbridge as the only way out. At the top of the stairs from the platform turn left onto the footbridge (from which you can see the floodlights of Fratton Park) and exit into Goldsmith Avenue. (Note that if the gate on the footbridge is closed you need to turn right on the footbridge and exit via Platform 1, turn left as you exit the station, walk 30 metres and go back over the footbridge to Goldsmith Avenue.) Turn left along Goldsmith Avenue and walk about half a mile passing straight around a small roundabout (by the Pompey Centre). Then Turn Left into Frogmore Road and the entrance to the Ty and South stands is 100m ahead. For the Milton End stay on Goldsmith Avenue for another 100m and turn left into Apsley Road. The entrances to the Milton End are 100m ahead.

Where to Drink
about a five minute walk away from the ground. It is a large pub serving Gale real ales and had a good mix of home and away support. I also noticed that it was doing a brisk business in food. Martin Hewitt recommends the Harvester, but advises away fans to avoid the Milton Arms and the Newcome Arms.

The Ground
At one end is the Fratton End, which is a new looking single tiered stand. It is of a good size and is the tallest stand at the ground. Opposite is the recently covered Milton End, which is all seated. Part of this stand us given to away fans. There is a small moat in front of this area. Both side stands are two tiered and originally had terracing at the front, which has now been replaced with seating. The South Stand dates back to 1925, and is starting to show its age. However, it still has some character with an old fashioned looking media gantry perched on its roof and raised team dugouts at its front. Opposite the North Stand looks somewhat plain and functional. Both the North & South Stands are two tiered and have a number of supporting pillars. The ground is completed with a superb looking set of tall floodlights that were first used in 1962.

Away Fans

At long last the Club have erected a roof over the Milton End. Although there are some supporting pillars along the front of the stand that may impede you view, at least you will be in the dry. Further good news is that the roof now means that away fans can now really make some noise, further contributing to what is normally a great atmosphere. However, the facilities are not particularly great and the leg room tight, as this area was a former terrace that has been converted to all seating. However, once you put that to one side then at least Fratton Park is a proper looking football ground, with a great atmosphere (which is aided by a drummer and bell ringer in the home end). So sit back and enjoy it as such grounds now are becoming few and far between with the advent of new stadia being built.