Thank you for being with us at Fratton Park this evening for our rearranged Sky Bet League One fixture with Barnsley. A warm welcome to all those who have made the long midweek trip from South Yorkshire and we hope you have a safe trip home.
Before I reflect on Saturday’s game at Bolton, I want to kick off by congratulating Pompey Women on winning the National League Southern Premier Division title on Sunday. The team were not in action themselves, but Hashtag United’s defeat at Ipswich confirmed them as champions with two games to go. It has been an incredible season, winning 18 out of 20 matches, with just one defeat, scoring 73 goals and conceding only seven. Jay Sadler, his staff, our volunteers and all the players have been outstanding and a joy to both watch and support.
The top side are eligible for automatic promotion to the second tier this season and not subject to a play-off against the northern champions, as had been the case in previous campaigns. However, we must now wait until next week to learn if our bid for promotion, submitted in February, has been accepted by The FA and NewCo.
Our match at Bolton on Saturday came on the back of an important win here against Shrewsbury. The contest at the Toughsheet Stadium was both a compelling and tense top-of-the-table spectacle, with yet another point secured from what continues to be an extremely testing run-in. Once again, our supporters were tremendous, travelling in terrific numbers and backing the team throughout, representing the club in true Pompey style.
We know what we need to secure promotion, but there can be no room for complacency from anyone at the club. Everyone has worked so hard to get to this position, but there are stern tests ahead – not only tonight from a Barnsley team who need three points to secure their play-off berth, but also on Saturday against a Wigan side who, on Saturday, ended our final day opponents Lincoln’s 16-match unbeaten run. We will need togetherness, patience and resolve from everyone, both on the pitch and in the stands, to cross the line.
The club attended the EFL Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Sunday. Congratulations to Marlon Pack, Will Norris and Conor Shaughnessy, who were named in the League One Team of the Season and to John Mousinho, who was recognised for an outstanding season by taking home the League One Manager of the Year trophy. We are all thrilled for John and proud of everything he and his staff have achieved.
We were also nominated for the Fan Engagement Award. This recognised the work of both our Matchday Experience Working Group and Piglet’s Pantry. Next season will see us continue to develop our efforts even further in this area. Work in the North Stand has already commenced to establish a new mezzanine, which will see the installation of more bars, and male and female toilets. This is needed in what has become a congested area at half-time due to the trebling of kiosk business across the ground in just two years. New toilets are also being developed in the home section of the Milton End to improve the experience for supporters, while both tonight and on Saturday, we have created extra temporary toilet provision in that stand to help the flow of spectators.
Our fans matter most to us and our plea to everyone, both this evening and at the weekend, is whatever the result, to avoid entering the pitch. We have a game here on Saturday and want to protect the fragile playing surface. Just as importantly, though, we want to ensure the safety of match officials, players of both teams and opposition supporters, and protect our own supporters from potential personal sanctions.
Over many years, it has been a football tradition for fans to come on to the field of play at the end of the season. However, what has largely been innocent and celebratory has been tarnished over the past two campaigns at a number of other clubs, with individuals attacking opposition players, opposition supporters and assaulting match officials. This has resulted in arrests and prison sentences, as well as Football Banning Orders for others coming onto the pitch, which is now a criminal offence. A Football Banning Order not only means exclusion from attending matches, but could mean an individual having to surrender their passports periodically and be banned from city centres on matchdays, whenever their team are playing.
The increase in incidents has resulted in The FA and the police advising that they are extremely likely to apply even heavier sanctions against individuals and clubs this season, where any such pitch invasion occurs. None of us can predict what might happen next when any supporter enters the pitch. Celebrations should be a time of unbridled joy for everyone – not something that leads to individuals regretting their actions for many years to come. The club and players are united in asking you to remain in the stands, so they can remain on the pitch and enjoy any special moments with you all.
Finally, I have to end these notes on a sad matter. After a short illness, Chris Hadley, our steward in the South Stand over many seasons, passed away last week. He was known and much loved, both by his colleagues and many supporters in that area of our stadium. Our condolences and love are with all of his family and friends. On Saturday, we will recognise all the fans and staff we have lost over the past 12 months with a pre-match tribute on the big screen. Nothing would be more appropriate than to finish the season positively in their memory.
Thank you for your support this evening and enjoy the game. PUP!
Andrew Cullen
CEO
