News and communications
Portsmouth prepares for FA cup parade through the city
Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth FC and the Police are working together to prepare for a victory parade through the city, if Pompey bring the FA Cup home from Wembley.
The parade of open-top buses will give Pompey's legions of fans the chance to cheer their heroes through the city, and to catch a glimpse of the FA Cup. The parade is planned for Sunday, 18 May 2008 - but will only take place if the team win.
Portsmouth City Council strategic director, Lynda Fisher, said; "Pompey reaching the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939 is such a fantastic achievement and something the whole city can come together to celebrate.
"The city council has been working hard with the Police and the football club to make sure that, if Pompey win, everyone has the chance to cheer the team home in a victory parade."
Peter Storrie, Pompey's Chief Executive, said: "Whatever the result I know the people of Portsmouth will come out in their droves to congratulate the team on what has been a very successful season."
Chief Inspector James Fulton said, "We look forward to celebrating with the community and fans of the club a 'famous victory'. Clearly the safety of the public is paramount; police resources will be deployed to ensure the event progresses smoothly both en route, and at Clarence Esplanade.
"We hope everyone will enjoy the day, whilst behaving appropriately."
A parade of three buses, carrying the players, the media, and the players' families and officials from the club, will set-off from Fratton Bridge at 3pm and follow a route along Winston Churchill Avenue, Montgomery Way, down Hampshire Terrace, Landport Terrace, Kings Terrace, Jubilee Terrace, Pier Road, and onto Clarence Esplanade (the seafront).
The procession of buses will be led and followed by police vehicles, and stewards from Portsmouth FC will escort the buses. The buses are expected to take around an hour to complete the route through the city, and should arrive at the enclosure behind the big screen on Southsea common at about 4pm.
A stage will be erected next to the big screen that would have been used to show Saturday's live FA Cup final and the club's manager, Harry Redknapp, and the players will appear at around 4.05pm and remain on stage until around 5pm. Harry Redknapp and the players will then leave on coaches.
A programme of entertainment will be running on the stage from 2.30pm until 5.30pm, with music from a live band, highlights from the FA Cup and the football season, and plenty of football songs - all led by PFC compere, Steve Pearson.
Using its powers under the Town Police Clauses Act 1847, the city council has put a thronging order in place covering the roads affected by the parade. Some road closures will also be in place.
As the parade will be making its way along main roads through the city, drivers are advised to avoid these routes altogether between 3pm and 4.30pm. Anyone attempting to drive into Portsmouth down the M275 between these times is also likely to experience delays and drivers are advised to use alternative routes into and out of the city.
Limited parking will be available in seafront car parks and on the common but those wishing to come to the seafront or to watch the parade are advised to walk or use public transport as the whole area is likely to be extremely busy.
Stalls selling light refreshments will be on the common, and additional toilet facilities will be in place.
If the team do not win, the parade will not go ahead. Harry Redknapp and the players will travel down to Southsea common in a coach and will make a short appearance on the stage at 4pm, and the screen will be showing highlights of what has been a fantastic season for the club, whatever the result on Saturday.
2008
Our publications
Flagship - your magazineHouseTalk magazine
TERM Times
Other media information
Emergency newsMedia centre
RSS news feeds