How Fratton Park has been remodelled for Portsmouth's return to football

This is how Fratton Park will be remodelled to welcome back football.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

However, the Blues have prepared thoroughly in order to host Oxford United in the first leg of the League One semi-finals (5.30pm).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Albeit the fixture will be behind closed doors – with some very different twists to Fratton Park.

Fratton Park. Picture: Graham HuntFratton Park. Picture: Graham Hunt
Fratton Park. Picture: Graham Hunt

Sole entry to the ground will be via the North stand gate, as the club implements regulations put forward by the Football League and local Safety Advisory Group.

Those seeking admission had to this morning fill in an online medical questionnaire, while are required to bring photo ID when turning up at the ground.

They will also have their temperature taken through thermal imaging technology, by way of a camera.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Both sets of players and backroom staff will use the same gate, although have been allocated a separate entrance between the corner of the North stand and Fratton end.

The away players will be guided into the Victory Lounge to change. This has a door opening out onto the pitch, which will also serve as their tunnel onto their pitch.

Meanwhile, a portable shower block has been installed in the area for the away team’s use.

As for Pompey’s players, they will walk around the perimeter of the pitch until reaching the South stand, where they will use both the home and away dressing rooms.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The match officials will be located in their usual changing facilities within the South stand.

Elsewhere, the back of the Fratton end will be closed to supporters and passers-by, with only the media permitted to walk along there.

The majority of the media will not be accommodated in the press box, instead positioned in front of it.

This is to maintain social distance from radio broadcasters, who require the ISDN lines already installed in the press box to be able to report on the match.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All media are asked to remain in their seat until the match has finished. The only exception will be to use toilet facilities.

Meanwhile, photographers will be located in areas behind the Milton end and Fratton end – but are not allowed to be present near the South stand.

The South stand lower area will strictly be open purely to players and backroom staff, enabling social distancing during the match

Finally, there are restrictions on numbers present in Pompey’s directors’ box, following guidelines of the Football League.

A message from the Editor

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.