One of Portsmouth Football Club’s greatest assets is the fantastic backing the team receives from its fans. The loud, passionate atmosphere we create at Fratton Park makes it an imposing ground for opposition teams to play at. When we’re at our best, it creates a real sporting advantage for the Pompey team on the pitch.
But right now, the actions of a small minority risk turning that advantage into a liability.
Two years ago, the club was fined £50,000 following the pitch invasion against Barnsley when we secured the League One title. Since then, there have been a series of reported crowd incidents at Fratton Park, including at each of the last three Championship home games. As a result, The FA are currently investigating the club’s conduct with the potential of further disciplinary action against us.
The consequences could be severe: significant fines, and potentially even stand closures or sporting sanctions at the most critical stage of the season. We have worked too hard to get back to the Championship to see that progress undermined now.
A ball boy injured by a pyrotechnic doesn’t help the team.
A child struck by a coin doesn’t help the team.
Discriminatory abuse aimed at a match official doesn’t help the team.
It harms the club. It harms our reputation. And it could harm our chance of survival.
Supporters should also be aware that any object thrown onto the pitch is recorded as a “missile” in the referee’s report, particularly if it strikes a player or official. Please think carefully about how and where you dispose of bottles, coins, chewing gum or other items.
If you witness behaviour that risks damaging the club, please consider using the club’s confidential reporting number (07500 778844). This will help the club demonstrate that it has identified perpetrators and acted quickly.
For the final three months of the season, we need every supporter focused on one thing: backing the team. Don’t let a few seconds of stupidity give you a football banning order, which could give you a criminal record and stop you from attending Fratton Park for up to 10 years. And don’t give The FA another reason to punish us.
Back the team. Protect the club.
The Tony Goodall Fans’ Conference:
- Armed Forces & Services Club
- Central Branch Supporters’ Club
- Chichester Portsmouth Supporters’ Club
- Clan Pompey
- Isle Of Wight Supporters’ Club
- Northern Blues
- Pompey 808
- Pompey Disabled Supporters' Association
- Pompey History Society
- Pompey Supporters’ Trust
- Pompey Women Supporters' Club
- South Wales Association of Pompey Supporters
- South West Supporters' Club