The new season is underway!
The season has now started, and it was great to see nearly 9,000 supporters travel for the season opener - the Carabao Cup, at least - for an away fixture.
For many, it was an opportunity to tick another away ground off the list, but also fully appreciate just how special our home at Fratton Park is.
As usual, we want to share a few updates from the past month.
Our new website is live
We’re delighted to announce that our new website is now up and running:
www.pompeytrust.com
Please take a look and, as always, we’d welcome your feedback. The new website has a fresher look and feel, while the improved functionality will allow us to provide a much better service to our members and supporters.
A few thank-yous are definitely in order. In particular, we’d like to recognise the contributions of former Board member Phil Sandys, who was the original driving force and architect behind the new website, and Scott McLachlan, who played the final part in bringing the new website to life.
We’re very grateful to them both for their time and commitment in helping make the new website a reality.
Thank you to everyone involved.
Derby Bubble arrangements
Hopefully, you will all be aware of the agreement to continue with the Derby Bubble arrangements for the coming season and, should we remain in the same division, potentially for a number of years ahead.
The Trust finds itself in an interesting position, with our recent supporters’ survey showing an almost 50/50 split between those who believe the arrangements are a good thing and those who do not.
However, the arrangements are now in place. Our role - and we were pleased to be invited to the open discussion involving both clubs and the police - is to do what we can to ensure the fan experience on the day is the best it can possibly be.
Our formal statement on the Derby Bubble can be found on the PST website by clicking here Southampton v Portsmouth - Derby "Bubble" Arrangements - Pompey Supporters Trust
Our role within Portsmouth FC
As former owners of Portsmouth FC, the PST has an additional formal role within the club through guaranteed representation on the Heritage & Advisory Board.
This gives the Trust the opportunity to discuss key issues such as the club’s future plans, finances and stadium development. It also provides an important safeguard through veto rights over any proposed changes to the club’s name, colours or location.
The PST is also informed of planned developments for the club. This gives us an opportunity to provide feedback on those plans and, where appropriate, help to steer the future of the club.
At the most recent PST Board meeting, Ian Limb (Chair), Simon Colebrook (Treasurer) and Alan Scott (Board Member) were elected to represent the Trust and its members on the Heritage & Advisory Board.
Annual General Meeting (AGM) and annual Q&A
We will shortly be publishing the date of our AGM, along with details of our very popular annual Q&A with those in charge at Portsmouth Football Club.
We will also use this opportunity to raise some of the issues and questions supporters highlighted through our recent survey.
As always, it should be a good evening, so watch this space for further details.
Changes to the PST Board
We have a couple of Board changes to announce.
Firstly, Clare Martin has decided that now is the right time to step down from her role on the PST Board. Clare, who is CEO of Portsmouth in the Community (PITC), has been fundamental - and continues to be - in the delivery of the John Jenkins Stadium.
The PST donated £250,000 to PITC to help fund the construction of the John Jenkins Stadium.
This donation was funded from the surplus of unwithdrawn shares and other PST reserves following the sale of Portsmouth Football Club in 2017. Following the sale, the PST informed shareholders that any surplus from the sale would be put towards creating a lasting legacy for the city of Portsmouth.
That legacy is now there for everyone to see at the John Jenkins Stadium. This community facility will forever stand as a testament to the collective power of our fan base - not only in raising the money needed to save our football club - but also in helping to create a place in the city where children, disabled people and older residents can experience the benefits, enjoyment and sense of community that participation in sport can bring.
We would like to recognise the huge amount of work and commitment Clare has shown to the PST during her time on the Board. We are also delighted that our strong relationship with PITC will continue.
Join the Blue Wave
Speaking of our strong relationship with PITC, they have created the Blue Wave initiative, encouraging runners in this year’s Great South Run to sign up and take part.
If you’re interested in joining the Blue Wave, visit:
Join the Blue Wave at the Great South Run 2026
Welcome to Andrew Oliver
Clare’s departure has created a vacancy on the Board, and we are pleased to announce that Andrew Oliver has been co-opted onto the PST Board for an initial period of 12 months. Following that period, Andrew will need to stand for election to continue in the role.
Andrew is a retired headteacher and a committee member of Portsmouth Walking Football Club. We’re delighted to welcome him to the Board and look forward to working with him over the coming year.
The season starts now!
Just a reminder before we get going. Many of you will have seen the statement released by Pompey concerning fan behaviour on occasions last season. The statement has the full support of the PST and other supporter groups.
We won’t repeat the words here, but there are some important messages that are well worth highlighting as we head into the new season:
• Support the team with pride and passion.
• Respect fellow supporters, home and away.
• Welcome new fans and young supporters into the Pompey family.
• Report in confidence discriminatory or abusive behaviour
• Follow the guidance of stewards and matchday staff.
• Celebrate and represent the club with distinction wherever we travel.
We’re all part of the same family, and together we can make sure the atmosphere in the stands is everything that supporting Pompey should be about.
Sing loud. Back the team. Look after each other. Be proud to be Pompey.
And Finally …
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Pompey Supporters’ Trust. We’ll continue to represent the interests of supporters, make sure your voice is heard, and keep you updated on the issues that matter to you.
And, of course, a very warm welcome to Abu and all our new signings. We wish them every success in Pompey blue and hope they enjoy what it means to play in front of the Fratton faithful.
Up the Blues! #PUP
The PST Board