OPPOSITION: Portsmouth
TOTAL MILAGE (from Vicarage Road): 85
BY CAR: Take the M25 heading to M40/M4/Rickmansworth coming off at junction 10, exit toward A3/London (SW)/Guildford/Kingston.
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit toward Portsmouth/Guildford/A3/Effingham and continue onto A3(M) (signs for Portsmouth). Take the exit onto A27 and then the A2030 exit toward Portsmouth (E).At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Eastern Rd/A2030 heading to Plymouth(E)/Southsea/milton/Fratton/Hilsea. Turn left at Velder Ave/A2030 and left again at Milton Rd/A288. Take a right at Goldsmith Ave/A2047 then turn right into Frogmore Rd.
Postcode for those with sat nav: PO4 8RA
TOTAL DRIVE TIME: 1 hour 43 minutes
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.
(Thanks to Peter Coulthard for the directions).
PARKING: 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.
Alternatively Miltoncross School, which is a five minute walk from the ground offers parking at £6 per car. The school is located in Milton Road (post code PO3 6RB). Derek Hall adds; 'There is also a very large car park (for a fiver) on the corner of Velder Avenue and Milton Road (a couple of minutes walk behind the away end)'.
AWAY END: Away fans are housed in the Milton End can where around 2,000 can be accommodated. The Club have now erected a roof over this end. Although there are some supporting pillars along the front of the stand that may impede you view, at least you will be in the dry.
However, the facilities are not particularly great and the leg room tight, as this area was a former terrace that has been converted to all seating. However, once you put that to one side then at least Fratton Park is a proper looking football ground, with a great atmosphere (which is aided by a drummer and bell ringer in the home end).
Unlike previous seasons away supporters are now housed on the other side of this end (towards the North Stand). Entrance to the stand is gained by inserting your ticket into a bar code reader.
PROGRAMME COST: £3
PUBS: The Good Companion pub 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.
There is also the Harvester, but as away fans you are recommended to avoid the Milton Arms and the Newcome Arms. The Brewers Arms on the other hand is 'always popular with away fans'.
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.
RESTAURANTS: Just outside the ground at the north east corner a large enclosed white marquee is often erected for away fans. It has a bar, televisions and is free to enter. There is a handy burger van located outside as well.
Alternatively, the delicious Shire Foods Chicken Balti Pie (£2.20) is available inside the ground.
The info displayed on this page is only a guide for supporters, you are always recommended to check before travelling.
Information courtesy of www.footballgroundguide.com.
Please check the website for more recent updates and further information.
