|
|
|
|
Portsmouth FC
Fratton Park
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.
If you get chance to wander around the outside of the ground beforehand then
make sure to go down towards the home end to look at the
mock tudor facade in Frogmore Road.
Future
Developments
The Club have recently
announced ambitious plans to move to a new stadium, to be
built at an area called Horsea Island, which is close to the M275.
Originally the Club had proposed that a new stadium be built at the city's dockyard,
but this was vetoed by the Royal Navy, as it would impinge on the security
zone around the planned new aircraft carriers.
The new stadium is being designed by Swiss based architects Herzog & DeMeuron,
who are responsible for the 2008 Olympic Stadium in Beijing. Planning
permission has yet to be granted for the scheme, but if things go to plan,
then Pompey could be playing their new stadium in 2011. For images and more
information about the new stadium please visit the
Official Portsmouth FC Website.
Thanks to Ian White
for keeping me updated on the developments.
|
