Toon Heading To Glory At Fratton Park?
Last updated : 11 December 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
FRATTON PARK
DIRECTIONS BY CAR:
Go along the M27 (ignoring the M275 turn off for Portsmouth town centre) and continue on to the A27. At the junction with the A2030 turn right towards Southsea/Fratton and just continue straight along the A2030 and eventually you will see the ground in front of you, just slightly to your left. There is a large car park behind the TY Europe Stand, but this is for home supporters only. So it is mostly street parking for away fans. This is best found on the right hand side of the A2030 before you reach the Good Companion pub.
BY TRAIN:
The nearest local train station is Fratton, which is a ten minute walk away. Portsmouth train station is at least a 25 minute walk away.
On arrival at Fratton by train you pass the ground on the left. Fratton station has a footbridge as the only way out. At the top of the stairs from the platform turn left onto the footbridge (from which you can see the floodlights of Fratton Park) and exit into Goldsmith Avenue. (Note that if the gate on the footbridge is closed you need to turn right on the footbridge and exit via Platform 1, turn left as you exit the station, walk 30 metres and go back over the footbridge to Goldsmith Avenue.) Turn left along Goldsmith Avenue and walk about half a mile passing straight around a small roundabout (by the Pompey Centre). Then Turn Left into Frogmore Road and the entrance to the Ty and South stands is 100m ahead. For the Milton End stay on Goldsmith Avenue for another 100m and turn left into Apsley Road. The entrances to the Milton End are 100m ahead.
PUBS:
Try the Good Companion pub, which is on the main A2030 about a five minute walk away from the ground. It is a large pub serving Gale real ales and had a good mix of home and away support. I also noticed that it was doing a brisk business in food. Martin Hewitt recommends the Harvester, but advises away fans to avoid the Milton Arms, Shepherds Crook and the Newcome Arms. Whilst Ian Pratt suggests the Brewers Arms which is 'always popular with away fans'. Steve Yeoman a visiting Manchester United fan informs me; 'just outside the ground at the north east corner a large enclosed white marquee has been erected for away fans. It has a bar, televisions and was free to enter. There is a handy burger van located outside'.
Graham Fewster an exiled Pompey fan Down Under, adds; 'a pub I would recommend is the Connaught Arms. Popular with home and away fans, they serve a good selection of draught beers as well as some great pasties. The pub is located at the junction of Penhale and Guildford Road, which is roughly 200 yards away from Fratton Road but the walk is somewhat longer. But it is worth it take it from me!'.
Otherwise drink in Portsmouth city centre or down at Southsea before the game. Remember Portsmouth is still a major naval port and hence some of the pubs can get quite rowdy at weekends.