Call for ministers to back club plan
Pompey fans want the government to get behind plans for the redevelopment of Fratton Park.
The football club is looking to strike a deal with Tesco over a new supermarket next to the ground to fund the project.
With 70 per cent of the 22m cost of redeveloping Fratton Park set to be provided by the new supermarket, it is essential to Pompey's plan and fans are keen to see it go ahead.
As reported in The News on Saturday, Portsmouth City Council say the decision on the supermarket, to be built on the club's car park, near to the Etap Hotel, could be taken out of their hands by government inspectors.
Kevin Browne, 52, of Festing Road, Southsea, said: 'Obviously I would urge the government to back any form of sponsorship that is good for the club. What's the alternative? There's no well to go down and pull up money.
'We are in the middle of a credit crunch and unless we get the money from Tesco or someone else we haven't got a hope.'
Marion Cowlin, 63, of Reginald Road, Eastney, said: 'I wouldn't object to a new Tesco. I would be over the moon if it gets the go-ahead because I don't think the club have got the money to do it without it.'
And Terry Moon, 60, of Portchester Heights, Portchester, said: 'They're saying planning permission for Tesco could be an issue and that's a worry. Anything will be welcome if it gets us away from these old decrepit stands and I would hope the government do something.'
If Pompey go through with their new plans for Fratton Park it will increase the capacity of the ground by a third. The club has said it hopes to have planning permission in place by the end of the summer, with work beginning in November.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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