Whittingham joy for fans after Pompey given home start

The Blues were today matched against Oxford for the League Two kick-off on Saturday, August 3.

It represented the first time since the 2009-10 camapign that the opening game has begun at Fratton Park.

This summer has signalled the feel-good factor sweeping across the city with encouraging season ticket sales and a host of playing arrivals.

Now the Fratton faithful can carry that groundswell of optimism into the first fixture of what is currently an eagerly-anticipated campaign.

Whittingham said: ‘It’s pleasing we are at home for the first match and it is especially pleasing for the fans.

‘That is something probably a lot of them wanted, the ideal situation with everything which is happening at the moment.

‘To start off at Fratton is fantastic for them – and for plenty of the staff as well.

‘I don’t know what the players look for in the fixtures but for the last two or three years I know we have been away.

‘Some of the staff still here look forward to getting a home game first up and now that has happened.

‘It’s is great for everyone concerned and we’re really looking forward to it.’

On August 15, 2009, Paul Hart’s side lost 1-0 to Fulham at Fratton Park on the opening day of the campaign.

Since then the Blues have started at Coventry (August 2010), Middlesbrough (August 2011) and last year it was a Capital One Cup match at Plymouth.