Our look at Pompey's 2013/14 opponents continues with the Shrimps
Meetings with Pompey
Pompey and Morecambe will meet for the first time during the 2013/14 season.
Morecambe history
The club were formed on May 7 1920 following a meeting at The West View Hotel and started life in the Lancashire Combination.
They shared their ground with the local cricket club and drew in crowds in excess of 3,000 for matches against rivals Lancaster City and Fleetwood Town.
After initially languishing at the bottom of the league, Morecambe claimed the title for the first time in 1925 and beat Chorley – after two replays – to lift the Lancashire Junior Cup in front of 30,000 fans.
By this time they had moved to their own ground at Roseberry Park, which was later renamed Christie Park in honour of president Mr J B Christie.
The 1920s and 1930s were a constant struggle to keep the club alive, with poor results and little revenue.
There was notable post-war success, however, as a new supporters club helped with ground improvements, while things also improved on the pitch.
Morecambe reached the third round of the FA Cup in 1962, beat Burnley to life the 1968 Lancashire Senior Cup and defeated Dartford at Wembley in the 1974 FA Trophy final.
Crowds then dipped as the club endured a barren period, but they finally achieved their ambition of reaching the Conference in 1996.
They had a few near misses in the hunt for promotion to the Football League, including a loss to Hereford over two legs in the 2006 play-offs.
Morecambe present
They had more success in the play-offs the following season, beating York over two legs before overcoming Exeter in front of more than 40,000 at Wembley in the final.
Morecambe finished a credible 11th in their first season in League Two and also shocked Preston and Wolves in the League Cup.
The 2009/10 campaign was their last at Christie Park and they finished fourth before losing 7-2 on aggregate to Dagenham & Redbridge in the play-offs.
Morecambe finished 15th and 16th in the last two seasons, playing at their new Globe Arena home.
Information for Pompey fans
Away fans are housed in the East Terrace, which holds just under 1,400 at one end of the ground. A further 300 seats can be made available in the Peter McGuigan stand.
The closest bar that admits travelling supporters is the Regent Leisure Holiday Park, located just a few minutes from the stadium. The William Mitchell pub is slightly further away, while a Toby Carvery can also be found nearby.
A 15-minute walk will take you to the seafront, where pubs include Davy Jones Locker, The Clarendon Hotel and the Station Promenade.
The town centre houses a Wetherspoon named the Eric Bartholomew. A statue of Eric Morecambe is nearby, right opposite the Kings Arms.
Travelling by road
Postcode: LA4 4TB
Distance from Fratton Park: 291.8 miles
Estimated drive time: 5 hours 6 minutes
Exit the M6 at Junction 34, then take A683 towards Lancaster and the A589 towards Morecambe. Go straight across two roundabouts, passing a McDonald’s on your next left. At the next roundabout, take the first exit into Westgate Road (s/p West Promenade, Sandylands). Continue along this road for about one mile and the stadium is on your right. Parking is for permit holders only, but there is plenty of street parking nearby.
Travelling by train
The journey from Portsmouth stations to Morecambe lasts approximately five-and-a-half hours, including changes at London Euston and Lancaster. The standard adult fare is £110.60 and the stadium is a 25-minute walk from the station.
League Two fixtures
Pompey v Morecambe: Saturday, August 17 (3pm)
Morecambe v Pompey: Saturday, January 25 (3pm)