Fratton end sold out as Pompey fans flock for opener

And the overall attendance is heading towards 16,000 as the Blues prepare to welcome Carlisle United.

Saturday sees the start of the 2016-17 campaign, with Pompey embarking on their latest attempt at promotion.

They do so backed by 12,250 season ticket holders – a League Two high for the Blues.

At present, a total of 15,700 seats across the ground have been taken up for the clash with Keith Curle’s Cumbrians.

That includes the visitors, who have sold 250 of their 500 allocation as of Monday afternoon.

Elsewhere in Fratton Park, tickets are selling impressively as supporters rally behind Paul Cook’s team.

The Fratton end and South Stand lower have already sold out for the occasion.

Seats in the North Stand are also proving popular as that section remains on course for a maximum capacity.

However, there is space in the home side of the Milton end, with Pompey supporters allocated half of that stand, while there remain seats in South upper.

Fratton Park’s record crowd for an opening game in either League Two or Division Four stands at 18,181.

That was in August 2013, with Guy Whittingham’s hosts slumping to a dismal 4-1 defeat to Oxford United.

Cook’s reign as manager started at Fratton Park with a 3-0 triumph over Dagenham & Redbridge last season with a crowd of 16,948 in attendance, of which 279 were away followers.

In August 1978, the Blues were watched by 8,268 for their first-ever Division Four match, a Fratton Park fixture which Jimmy Dickinson’s side lost 1-0 to Bradford City.