Catlin: Staying at Fratton Park is Portsmouth owners' dream scenario

But Mark Catlin has labelled the option to stay as a '˜dream scenario'.

The much-vaunted stadium masterplan has yet to be released following Tornante's thorough year-long research.

Yet the message continually coming out of Fratton Park is that the Blues will remain.

That is, according to Catlin, unless a '˜no-brainer' alternative emerges.

He said: '˜The owners have undertaken a year of comprehensive studies of different options available, including staying at Fratton Park.

'˜They are minded to stay at Fratton, but we don't want to lock ourselves in, we're keeping all options open.

'˜It has been clear from the start the owners want to stay. Michael (Eisner) has consistently said it, Andy (Redman) has consistently said it, Eric (Eisner) has consistently said it. In a dream scenario they would like to stay at Fratton Park.

'˜That is and continues to remain the case '“ while keeping all other options on the table.

'˜It can't be set in stone, in business things change.

'˜While they are minded to stay at Fratton Park, if tomorrow something becomes available that commercially and financially made it a no-brainer then they don't want to be handcuffed by a statement about definitely staying.

'˜As an ownership group that listens to the fanbase, there's a general feeling the board would like to stay at Fratton Park.

'˜But we can never discount that if a slam dunk opportunity came to move elsewhere then it would be seriously looked at.'

Tornante's desire to retain the Fratton atmosphere has been pivotal.

But Catlin also believes there's a lack of land alternatives for a new stadium.

He added: '˜There are no real areas which would give us everything we need in regards of infrastructure and transport links.

'˜There are not even hard options out there, let alone easy options. There are just ones that could end up tied in red tape for years and years.

'˜If you go off the island here are more options, but then you start to lose the heart and soul of the club, which isn't something Michael and the directors want.

'˜We are minded to stay at Fratton Park, but it's something under constant review.'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'‹'