Monday, December 15, 2008

Fratton Park (Full Version) by Keez


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Fratton Park is the home stadium of Portsmouth F.C., and is situated in the English city-port of Portsmouth.

The stadium currently has four stands, all seated. The pitch runs from east to west. The largest and most modern stand, at the ground's western end, is the Fratton End. Along either side of the pitch are the North and South stands, both of which are two-tiered. At the eastern end is the Milton End, by far the smallest stand. Formerly the only roofless stand in the Premier League, a roof was added for the 2007/08 season. This stand is shared between home and away supporters. The original entrance to the Fratton End is notable for its mock Tudor façade. Since the arrival of new owner Arcadi Gaydamak several renovations have been made to Fratton Park including improved dressing rooms, a roof over the Milton end and a big-screen above the police box between the North Stand and Milton End. Sponsorship has also been cancelled for the North Stand which now features "Fratton Park Portsmouth" and the club crest.

The stadium is served by Fratton railway station (about 10 minutes' walk away), which is located on the Portsmouth Direct Line.

The Main Stand was designed by renowned football architect Archibald Leitch, whose company also built an ornate pavilion (similar to Craven Cottage) complete with clocktower. However, these were mostly removed with the expansion of the ground. Fratton Park hosted a first-round football game in the 1948 Summer Olympics (one of only two grounds outside London, the other being the Goldstone Ground). It hosted one full England international match on 2 March 1903 against Wales[1] and has also hosted some England U-21 internationals. Pompey were the first club to stage a Football League match under floodlights, in a 22 February 1956 match at Fratton Park, against Newcastle United.

Fratton Park is currently the football ground with the lowest maximum capacity in the Premier League[2].

Record Attendance: 51,385 v Derby County 26 February 1949, FA Cup Sixth Round.

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