April news

Pompey's Cup Final match showcased in big screen performance

Thousands of Pompey fans in the city are being offered the chance to watch the big match on a big screen on FA Cup Final day, Saturday 17 May.

The city council and Portsmouth Football Club have teamed up to provide a big screen on Southsea Common for PFC's Cup Final match against Cardiff City - their first appearance at Wembley since 1939. There are also plans for a bus tour of the city during the afternoon of Sunday 18 May, to celebrate PFC's achievement in reaching the finals.

With the city in an FA Cup frenzy of excitement and anticipation, the council and PFC are keen to ensure that fans who want to enjoy the match en masse are able to do so in a safe and controlled environment.

City council Chief Executive David Williams said: "We know there are many people in the city who would like to come together to enjoy the match and spur the team to victory. Of course many others will want to see the Cup Final in the comfort of their own home or their local, but we wanted to give people a choice.

"Portsmouth supporters are passionate in their devotion to the team and there's nothing like the atmosphere of a large crowd watching a match. But for fans who can't get tickets for the final, we hope this is the next best thing. The big screen on Southsea Common will enable them to come together to watch the match and hopefully see PFC bring home the coveted FA Cup to the city. Play up Pompey!"

Peter Storrie, Chief Executive of PFC, said: "We are delighted to offer our help and support to the city council in allowing as many of our fans to see the team in the FA Cup Final.

"Southsea Common is the perfect venue for something of this magnitude. We, of course, wish we could fill Wembley with 50,000 fans rather than the 25,000 the Football Association have allowed in to cheer the team on. But I'm sure those who couldn't get tickets will be very keen to watch it on the big screen with fellow Pompey fans."

More details of the big screen - which will be at least 40 square metres in size - and bus tour will be publicised in the local media and on www.portsmouth.gov.uk