On Saturday, on behalf of The Supporters’ Club, I attended the joint Fans’ Forum with Hampshire’s Dedicated Football Police Officers, to discuss the upcoming game against Southampton. Also in attendance were representatives of other supporters groups from both Pompey and Southampton, representatives of both Disabled Supporters’ Associations and both Club SLOs.

As had already been announced this will not be a ‘bubble’ match, although their fans will have the choice to travel on dedicated, police escorted coaches if they so choose. In making this decision, the police and clubs gave consideration to a) the fact it is an evening game and there will be heavy, rush hour traffic on the M27 and b) the disruption closing Rodney Road for part of the day would create to the wider Portsmouth community and local businesses. It also allows those Southampton fans who may not live or work in Southampton to travel independently. The short planning time between the draw and the game was also a factor.

We were advised that there will be a heavy police presence on the roads and throughout the City as well as around the ground. There will be no ‘football special’ trains laid on, but there will be a police and BTP presence on trains in the area, especially those running from Southampton to Portsmouth. There will be no dedicated away pubs and Southampton fans are being advised to drink away from Portsmouth rather than in the City. Plans are in place to deal with any problems caused by fans turning up without tickets.

Disabled fans of both clubs expressed concern about their safety and were advised that there will be extra stewards on duty around wheelchair and ambulant disabled fans and their carers, as well as a police presence in the ground.

During the game the referee will be advised to relax the new rule regarding substituted players leaving the pitch by the nearest touchline.

A decision is yet to be made on whether Southampton fans will be held back after the game to allow Pompey fans time to clear the area. If they are, they will be advised in advance so that they know what to expect on the night.

Overall the meeting was positive and informative, with both sets of fans expressing their concerns and offering suggestions. Other local derbies, eg Sunderland v Newcastle, are now being policed successfully without resorting to bubble matches so we hope that this will prove to be the case on the 24^th.

#Passion not poison

Pam Wilkins

September Open Meeting has been moved to Monday 30th, due to Carabao Cup game on 24th.

Guest to be confirmed.

John Jenkins MBE was awarded the Fan of the Season Trophy in memory of Ray Forder, for seventy years of committed service to the football club and Supporters Club

John was presented the Trophy by Roy Gregory and Alan Knight, at a small gathering kindly arranged by Malcolm Drew.

Come along and enjoy a relaxed evening, where you will be able to enter into Q&A session with Pompey CEO Mark Catlin.
Then following a small break for refreshments, meeting will continue with committee business, re elections, and proposals to take forward next year.

There will be an photo opportunity with the Checkatrade Trophy

Your vote and any thoughts are important and valued.

Reports will be available on the evening

The Pompey Amputee football team are walking from Fratton park to Irwin Mitchell solicitors (Team Sponsor) in Southampton, which is a total of 19.5 miles.

The amputee football team are raising funds to support things like transport to matches and extra training for the players who are competing in the FA Disability cup finals in June.

Please see link below if you wish to donate

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philip-moody4

CB Members Christine Welch, Miles Morris, Terence Stack and Paul Gumbrell, enjoying their match day experience at Scunthorpe game.

Terence wrote “I really enjoyed myself and had a terrific day, we met about six old football legends and two current players and I also got speak to speak to Alan Knight.

Top Day!

Members were drawn out of ballet held by CB at Jan Open Meeting.

Open Meeting Monday 18th March, Victory Lounge at 7:30pm

Anton Walkes will be our guest, so come along and enjoy yourself in a relaxed atmosphere.

PITC have asked central Branch to help try and find a volunteer minibus driver for two of their Amputee fixtures.

Date: 24th March travelling to Boldmere St Michael’s FC, Church Road, Coldfield, B73 5RY

Approx Meet time: 8:00am Approx arrival back: 8.00pm

Date:19th May traveling to Cundle Road, Orton, Longueville, Peterborough, PE2 7EA

Approx Meet time 9:30am Approx arrival back 8:00pm

If anyone is interested they would need to have the D1 on their licence and PITC would need to see a copy of their licence at the Pompey in the community offices. They would also be required to complete a link which would be sent to them.
If anyone can help, please contact Phil Moody at PITC phil.moody@pompeyitc.org.uk

The Hayling Ferry has just completed and passed  its annual full safety licensing checks by the Maritime Agency and during its time out of water has been repainted in Pompey blue sponsored by the Ferry Boat Inn on Hayling.

For the remaining home games of the season the Ferry Trust will sponsor half cost ferry tickets to all PFC season tickets holders and those with match day tickets and the Ferry Boat Inn will allow free parking for the day for those popping in for a pre-match drink.     All attendees do is show their season or match day ticket/electronic confirmation to get the discounts and free parking.

We hope to both cut the journey time and travel costs for PFC supporters, highlight the ferry is in full operation and encourage less cars on the road so keep the environmental lobby happy.

If there is shown to be support over the next few games, the sponsored ferry crossings to home matches will be continued next season.

Central Branch have purchased four Corporate Hospitality tickets for the Partners Lounge at Scunthorpe Match on Saturday 16th March.
This is an ideal opportunity for our members to have a great matchday experience .

All members over 16 years old will be automatically entered into a free draw, which will be drawn at January open meeting.

The lucky winners will be contacted as soon as possible after the draw.    (ticket not transferable)

Please contact us via email to info@pompeyfan.com if you do not wish to be entered into the draw