Doing the 92: A Journey Through English Football
Doing the 92 is Daniel Storey’s ambitious quest to visit every English football league club within a single season. The most effective way to stay updated on his journey is by subscribing here.
The proposed stadium design for Portsmouth was undeniably striking, especially for those who appreciate modern architecture. The club had engaged the renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, whose previous works include the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich and the Bird’s Nest in Beijing. The artistic renderings showcased a facade abundant in glass, sculpted into a dynamic, uneven boomerang shape that was said to symbolize a ship.
The projected cost was staggering, estimated at around £600 million. The envisioned stadium would accommodate 36,000 spectators, accompanied by new residential units, restaurants, offices, and various leisure facilities. This grand project was unveiled in 2007, with the club’s management at that time optimistic about moving to the naval dockyards by 2011.
Reflecting on the Past
Even then, one might feel a sense of regret. This development would inevitably require Portsmouth to abandon their cherished home of 108 years. A partnership with Sellar Property Group meant the demolition of Fratton Park to pave the way for 750 new homes. By 2007, English football was nearing the end of its obsession with suburban expansion—projects primarily focused on replacing inner-city stadiums with residential and commercial developments while opting for out-of-town facilities.
The drive for profit led club owners to seek greater revenue from the average matchgoing supporter, often replacing them if necessary. This new breed of fan demanded enhanced comfort, causing tradition to slip down the priority list. Between 2001 and 2005, the trend of new stadiums became a must-have for ambitious provincial clubs: Southampton, Leicester City, Hull City, Derby County, Swansea City, and Coventry City. Strikingly, almost all had the suffix “City,” hinting at a broader pattern; these clubs owned grounds located on valuable real estate, making the cost of reconstruction appear ludicrous compared to starting anew on the city outskirts.
Portsmouth, however, was late to this trend, buoyed by new ownership. After their promotion to the Premier League in 2003, progress stalled when Harry Redknapp fell out with Milan Mandaric, resulting in a lackluster finish of 13th, 16th, and 17th in their first three seasons. In December 2005, Redknapp returned, Mandaric sold the club to Alexandre Gaydamak, and Portsmouth embarked on a period characterized by extravagant spending.
From June 2006 to August 2008, Portsmouth signed 28 players on permanent deals, with transfer fees totaling around £90 million, establishing themselves as generous payers to both players and agents. The proposed stadium represented Gaydamak’s ambition to elevate Portsmouth into one of the most glamorous clubs outside London.
Match Day Experience
- Game no.: 59/92
- Miles: 356
- Cumulative miles: 10,026
- Total goals seen: 168
- The one thing I’ll remember in May: The continuous ringing of a bell throughout the game is a unique experience at this ground.
The story is well-known by now. Portsmouth became the cautionary tale of their era, shattered by a combination of an owner eager to authorize player purchases who eventually grew weary of the financial burden, a manager willing to indulge in transfers, and a global financial crisis that created a perfect storm of economic turmoil.
By October 2009, Portsmouth was facing severe financial distress, with HMRC pursuing them for a tax bill reported to be around £10 million. The situation worsened as players went unpaid, leading to two ownership changes in just 44 days, a fire sale of players worth £80 million, and debts to various creditors. Ultimately, Portsmouth faced a deduction of 29 points over three installments, plummeting into the second tier and realizing that their descent had no bottom.
As for the new stadium—well, that never materialized. In October 2007, only two years before the full extent of the financial disaster was revealed, former chief executive Peter Storrie made a statement with unqualified optimism. His last line was the only technically accurate part of his proclamation, though it likely didn’t convey the reality: “This will be the most spectacular stadium, set against the backdrop of the harbour and the English Channel, befitting the club’s history. Portsmouth is moving into a new dawn with the backing of owner Alexandre Gaydamak, and these are very exciting times for the club both on and off the field.”
As you approach Fratton Park today, it’s impossible not to reflect on what could have been and, as a neutral observer, to appreciate what thankfully never transpired. While one might not argue that the financial apocalypse, the anxiety over the club’s survival, and the prolonged struggle to regain former glory were worth avoiding the new stadium, it’s difficult not to consider the implications of that lost opportunity.
The Heart of Football
Fratton Park is undeniably one of English football’s great stadiums. On a midweek evening, it emanates an orange glow at its base while casting white light into the night sky. It embodies everything that Luton Town likely wishes Kenilworth Road could offer—a labyrinth of impossibly narrow streets lined with terraced houses, evoking a sense of childlike excitement for discovery but with more space and significantly more seating.
The piece de resistance of Fratton Park is the entrance to the South Stand on Frogmore Road, featuring a charming mock Tudor facade. On the opposite side stands an Archibald Leitch masterpiece. The unique character of a football ground is the most compelling aspect of its beauty, and in the case of Fratton Park, heritage adds to its allure.
During the darkest days, as Portsmouth spent six league seasons across four divisions without achieving a top-half finish, Fratton Park became a refuge for supporters. Initially, it served as a space for fans to share tales about the looming crisis. Eventually, it became the sole remnant of the club and a hub for community action aimed at saving the club from liquidation through a fan-led takeover.
During the years of fan ownership, before the decision to trust a new private owner was made (a significant step towards healing), Fratton Park became a sanctuary, symbolizing the club’s existence and the unwavering passion of its supporters. Ask any fan from that time whether they would prefer access to high-end restaurants and a leisure complex near a new stadium, and the answer is likely to be a resounding no. The proposed stadium might have complicated or eased the situation during the club’s financial crisis, but the connections among supporters and the club would undoubtedly have been altered.
A New Era
Since the takeover in 2017, there have been no plans to construct a new stadium at the naval dockyards, Horsea Island, or elsewhere. Instead, Portsmouth has invested £20 million in redeveloping and enhancing Fratton Park. The Milton End has been transformed into a new all-seater section, improvements have been made to both the North and South stands, safe standing has been installed in the Fratton End, and hospitality lounges have been refurbished along with the creation of a new fan zone.
This season, Portsmouth is likely to achieve its highest average home attendance in 57 years. This resurgence is attributed to their return to the Championship and the enhancements made to Fratton Park. As Chief Executive Andy Cullen told The News: “Without that work being carried out, we were told we were heading towards a 10-11,000 maximum capacity as the stadium was becoming more and more unsafe with poorly decaying concrete and systems. It was dangerous. The £20 million investment into Fratton Park shows we have responded to that challenge, which is fantastic. We have benefited from that investment, but we’ve also been really, really fortunate to have continued loyal and passionate support from the city and wider community.”
This important redevelopment has undoubtedly changed Fratton Park, yet it has also preserved its essence. The facilities have improved significantly, reflecting the club’s deliberate focus on enhancing the fan experience, even at the expense of on-pitch investment (John Mousinho probably has the lowest squad cost of any Championship manager this season).
However, there is no effort to reinvent the wheel. No one is attempting to construct a stadium resembling a glass ship. The atmosphere remains vibrant, and the sense of walking toward a site steeped in footballing heritage endures. What would be the point of losing that connection? Strip that away, and you may as well relocate.
There’s a growing recognition that nearly two decades ago, the custodians of a football club endangered its future by considering a move away from its historic ground. That scenario is unlikely to be repeated. The primary change that supporters now seek is a bridge from the train station to the stadium. Perhaps this signifies a broader shift—a response to the suburban rush of the 2000s. In an age where much of the elite football experience is becoming increasingly homogenized, sensible owners of clubs with cultural heritage are beginning to realize that they possess something irreplaceable and foolish to relinquish. Fratton Park will forever be intertwined with the community: nestled between Carisbrooke Road and Specks Lane, emotionally tied to those who never wanted to leave and likely never will. Its significance during Portsmouth’s recovery cannot be overstated, and it stands as one of English football’s true treasures, not only because of its history but also for what it continues to represent.
Daniel Storey has set himself the goal of visiting all 92 grounds across the Premier League and EFL this season. You can follow his progress through our interactive map and find every article (so far) here.
