ITS iconic mock Tudor facade is one of the most recognisable stadium entrances in British football.
And for residents near Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth F.C., living next to the historic ground has thrown up plenty of famous moments over the years.
Some homeowners say their home shakes when the team scores, or claim there’s no need to buy match tickets as they can hear – and even see – all the action from their garden.
Our new summer series, Life’s a Pitch, celebrates the weird and wonderful stadiums across Britain… and the communities built around them.
Kicking it off, die-hard Pompey fans who reside a stone’s throw from Fratton Park tell us of their joy at feeling the ‘electric’ atmosphere created by fans every week.
They recall seeing the 1980s squad being put through their paces by manager Alan Ball in fitness runs to the old training ground – and even boast of being able to enjoy free music concerts from their back yard.
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Garden party
Some claim Fratton Park is unique as it is the only professional English football ground not found on the mainland of Great Britain – due to its location on Portsea Island.
Built in 1899, it has been Portsmouth’s home ever since and seen the highs and lows throughout the club’s 125-year history.
During that time the club has won two first division titles and two FA Cups – most recently under Harry Redknapp in 2008 – but Pompey are currently enduring a more difficult period in League One.
Lifelong Pompey fan Kieran Hogan has lived for nine years on Frogmore Road, which leads up to the South Stand entrance.
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“We love living this close to the stadium,” the 40-year-old said.
“I don’t have a season ticket but I like to go whenever I can, round some mates up, or sometimes go by myself.
“If I don’t go, I can hear the stadium announcer say who scores the goal when I’m sat in my living room – no need to check BBC Sport.
“You can hear the cheer sometimes seconds before the goal goes in on the telly.”
I can hear the stadium announcer say who scores the goal when I’m sat in my living room – no need to check BBC Sport
Kieran Hogan, lifelong Pompey fan
Recounting his experience of the Covid-hit play-off semi final, Kieran says he was disturbed by controversial Portsmouth super-fan John Westwood trying to get as close to the action as he could.
“I was sat in the garden watching it, as I’d taken the TV out,” the father-of-one said.
“And I could hear this bell ringing and I looked down the gardens and John Westwood was there at the neighbours’.”
Kieran’s next wish is to get his newborn eight-week-old son to a game “as soon as I can”.
Training day
Derek Stevens, 65, who has lived on a road that runs parallel to the south stand of the stadium for 39 years, said the ‘only issue’ is matchday parking – when parking is only permitted on one side of the street, meaning cars have to be moved.
The civil servant recounts seeing England’s World Cup winner Alan Ball whipping the the Portsmouth squad into shape during his five-year tenure in the 1980s, which saw them earn promotion back to the First Division.
“Alan Ball used to make them run to the training ground which was at Moneyfields then, about 1.5 miles,” he said.
“He got them into shape – it was funny to see the players on our road being put through the paces, but he did well here.
“They were out of shape when he got here but he made them fit.”
Kenneth Clarke, who lives on the same road, loves being a part of the club he played for as a boy in the 1960s.
The retired milkman, 78, said: “We’ve been here 35 years and love it.
“I go to about half the games. The parking is fine, it’s for emergency vehicles to get through, don’t moan about the club. If you don’t like it – move.”
Family affair
For Wendy Waltho, attending the matches at Portsmouth is a family affair, with husband Paul, son Harvey and grandson Franklyn all season ticket holders.
“It’s manic on a matchday,” the 56-year-old said. “Sometimes I do go if it’s an exciting game, but I can hear it from the garden where it’s free. Why would I go?
“It’s great, my husband and son love going – they’d never stop.
“The front wall of my garden is used as a meeting spot by fans every week. Every Saturday or Tuesday there are the usual suspects who lean up against the wall as they wait for their mates to come.”
The front wall of my garden is used as a meeting spot by fans every week. Every Saturday or Tuesday there are the usual suspects who lean up against the wall as they wait for their mates to come
Wendy Waltho, local resident
Wendy, who has lived in her property just 50ft from the South Stand entrance for 19 years, added: “For a 3pm kick off, they leave at about midday.
“It doesn’t take three hours to get there – I think the pub might be involved.
“But, when it’s not matchday, it’s dead quiet.”
The street’s quietness on days other than when Portsmouth play is the main reason David Young bought his home home 20 years ago.
The 39-year-old said: “During matchday it can be a bit hectic, but on days off, kids play in the street.
“You can’t get that anywhere else in Fratton, we love it here.”
The restaurant manager admitted he ‘hated’ football, but used to enjoy going to games when tickets were reduced for residents in close proximity to the stadium – a perk which stopped about eight years ago.
“In a derby game against Southampton, I had a brick thrown my front window during a riot – that made them separate the fans in the future,” he added.
Pitch view
Diana Hill moved into the neighbouring road in 2015 and can even see a portion of the pitch from her son’s bedroom.
The 41-year-old said: “The atmosphere is absolutely electric on game day.
“You can feel the electricity amongst the fans and when Pompey score, the house literally shakes.
“We love it, we can see a little section of goalpost, but they’re redeveloping it at the minute.”
The mother-of-three admitted she and her family received the perfect welcome when Madness played a gig at the stadium in the summer of 2015.
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“We didn’t have to go, we just sat in the garden and got a free Madness concert,” she said.
“The club have been great recently as well in providing equipment for street parties over the Jubilee and Coronation.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
