How Fratton Park transformed into a ghost town as Portsmouth returned to action

Roads outside the famous old ground that are normally awash with the raucous Pompey faithful donning their blue club colours were transformed into something more akin to a ghost town for the League One play-off semi-final against Oxford United.

As well as a sparsity of fans, the surreal empty atmosphere was also reinforced with the absence of match day regulars such as programme sellers, food outlets and even chaotic traffic as kick-off approached.

Road signs, altered on match days to indicate to motorists there is a game, summed up the feeling that a match without fans is an unavailing affair by declaring: ‘No match.’

Prior to the referee’s whistle to start proceedings, the odd fan was spotted hurriedly making their way to watch the game from the new-normal vantage point - a television screen.

Teresa Day, 66, who has been attending matches since the 1980s, summed up the mood. ‘I wish I was in the stadium. But I’m going to a neighbour’s house instead to watch it,’ she said.

‘It’s such a shame - the fans are our 12th man. I’ve never known anything like it. It’s normally packed around the stadium just before kick off.’

Aidan Meli, 18, had a box of beers at the ready as he dashed to watch the match with his dad.

He said: ‘It’s horrible not being in the stadium - the atmosphere would have been amazing.’

Sarah Wardale, 49, was walking home with her Pompey-mad son Jack Freestone, 11.

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The youngster said: ‘The atmosphere is normally great. The fans really cheer us on so it could have an effect having no fans.’

Sarah added: ‘It’s so quiet everywhere - it’s so strange.’

During the game the occasional fan was spotted outside the South Stand entrance. One said: ‘It’s rubbish not being able to be in the ground.

‘I’m trying to listen to what’s happening - I haven’t got the game on TV. It’s not the same.’

With distant shouts from players heard intermittently, his logic was not as daft as it sounded. But nonetheless served to highlight the desperation of Pompey fans to get as close to the action as possible in the absence of the real thing.

Another fan mischievously shouted at stewards as he went past: ‘Let me in.’

The remark summed up the feeling from those outside Fratton Park.

Meanwhile residents, used to being swamped on match days, found the whole experience odd.

Hannah and Kieran Hogan, who live a stone’s throw from the ground in Frogmore Road, said: ‘It’s so weird. It’s normally so busy before a game.

‘We love the great atmosphere down here normally. It’s a shame but maybe there will be no pressure with no fans in the ground.’

Even a trio of police, who arrived at half-time, did not think there was anything worth hanging around for after deciding to leave a short time later.

There was one familiar trait at the game, though. Diehard Pompey fan John Westwood, who has not missed a game since 1979 of his own accord, had pitched up with some mates in a house in Frogmore Road where his trademark bell could be heard ringing out across Fratton Park alongside endless drumming and chants.

Determined to get as close to the pitch as possible as the game was drawing to a 1-1 result, John and his band of followers made their way to the Frogmore Road entrance to rally the troops for one final push.

But even the 57-year-old admitted he felt disconnected by the strange experience as dark foreboding clouds and rain descended over Fratton Park.

‘It’s no good watching it on TV, it’s bizarre,’ John said. ‘It’s no experience at all, you’ve got to be in the ground where you can help the team.

‘Our fans are our 12th man - no one can match us. It is a massive disadvantage for us to not have our fans. Oxford would be very pleased.’

The Pompey celebrity was also brutally honest about the season being concluded in the manner it was.

‘They should have made the season null and void for everyone and then start again next season,’ he said.’It’s disgusting things were decided mathematically. I would feel a fraud if we went up.’

Simon Milne, 34, who arranged for John to attend the house gathering to watch the match, said: ‘We just wanted to be as near to the ground as possible. It was a good get-together. Everyone was up for it and we had a good sing-song. I think we can beat Oxford next week.’

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