.............. for a moment. Watching the match on the television yesterday I thought that Fratton park must be one of the last Victorian Stadiums left in the country and therefore would appear to be one of the last examples of our football heritage from that era. I know that the Pompey fans love their old ground dearly and are always mocking other peopleâs brand spanking new state of the art stadia. I therefore believe that Fratton Park should be saved for the Nation and be given the most restrictive listed status possible to stop anyone, especially developers, changing it in any way. This would have several advantages: Pompey Fans could continue to mock other fansâ modern Stadia which I know gives them something to feel good about and let's face it they don't have a lot to feel good about these days; They would always feel at home and rooted in their past; Visitors who go to Portsmouth usually go to see old wrecks such as the Mary Rose and The Victory. Fratton Park could be included in that itinerary; Being a listed football stadium no-one can knock it down and it would give a lift to the depressed fans who are worried about the future of their club; It would help the club find investment because I have noticed that people with lots of money usually like to buy and collect old things; The club might attract funds from English Heritage or the National Trust and this money could help with the playerâs January wages; Lots of local materials such as planks of wood, tar and caulking from the Naval Base can be used to keep the old place together and this would boost local employment and help keep costs down; Local school children could dress up in Victorian clothes and visit the stadium to learn about the Victorians and how basic facilities were in those hard times. So I ask you to join my campaign to have Fratton Park listed as Grade One structure and by doing so assist the good people of Portsmouth.
