Mark Catlin gives season ticket update as Portsmouth plot allowing fans back into Fratton Park

Pompey are poised to scrap ‘traditional’ season ticket procedures for 2020-21.
Not supporters, although cardboard cut-outs were present at Fratton Park for the play-off first leg against Oxford United. Picture: Joe PeplerNot supporters, although cardboard cut-outs were present at Fratton Park for the play-off first leg against Oxford United. Picture: Joe Pepler
Not supporters, although cardboard cut-outs were present at Fratton Park for the play-off first leg against Oxford United. Picture: Joe Pepler

However, consultation will be carried out with supporters before the solution is made public.

September 12 will mark the start of the new campaign, with fixtures initially behind closed doors.

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Supporters are pencilled in to return in October, albeit anticipated to be present among a reduced Fratton Park capacity.

Pompey have been agonising over how to resolve the issue, with cash-strapped clubs emerging through the coronavirus crisis desperate for the return of match-day revenue.

Last season the club had to cap season ticket sales at 14,500.

But Mark Catlin is hopeful of announcing the Blues’ plans soon.

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He told The News: ‘It is very difficult to go on sale with season tickets while we don’t even know when fans will be allowed back in.

‘We have a series of finer detail meetings taking place this week on our plans for season tickets. We will then discuss it with the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference within the next week, then go out to the wider fanbase.

‘I think the notion of selling traditional season tickets this year is something which, maybe, won’t be allowed to happen, unfortunately.

‘It’s not something at this moment I really want to speak to The News about because we have to finalise it internally.

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‘Ultimately, we’d like to consult the Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference first, which is an important part of our decision-making process.’

The main issue Pompey must address is how to decide which supporters are allowed to attend in the event of a reduced capacity.

It’s a challenge facing all football clubs as they prepare for the partial return of fans.

He added: ‘In most businesses things keep changing. Last week it was safe to go to Spain, this week it’s not.

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‘You have to be realistic. What we have all learnt is you must prepare for worst-case scenarios.

‘Just because you think it can’t happen in regards of covid-19, it probably will.’

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