The natives are getting restless in the PO postcode end of the M27, they are not just unhappy with the price their own club is charging them for the "Bubble" fixture travel, but also how much they will have to fork out for a ticket..
Local Pompey paper The News is carrying the story of the fans ire.
As has been announced this game and the return at Fratton Park will be a Bubble fixture meaning that all Pompey fans who are eligible to attend the match and successfully purchase a ticket must travel back and forth to St Mary’s via club-managed coaches.
The first gripe is the price that Portsmouth FC are charging for the coaches, they are being asked to fork out £22.50 for the privilege of being picked up at one of the pre arranged pick up points and escorted in to St Mary's.
There doesn't seem to be any concessions to this price, it is paid by all young or old, I would point out that before Saints fans start laughing, that we will be using the same coach company for our trip down to Fratton Park, so presumably either Pompey are marking it up and profiting from their own fans or we will pay the same.
It should be pointed out that the official club travel to Watford next week, using the same company will be £27 or £25 for season ticket holders, a journey that is around 4 times the distance as that between Fratton Park & St Mary's, so the price being charged to Pompey fans seems a little high.
But it is not just the coach price that is raising their heckles, with the game being a Category A fixture at St Mary's the adult ticket price will be £40, although in fairness that is the price for a Category A game behind the goal and not in the section in the Kingsland which will be £45 for Adults.
Pompey seem to charge a flat rate £30 for their general ground admission tickets so they are cheaper than Saints in that respect.
The Pompey fans are moaning about the fact that they will have to pay £62.50 for their travel and match ticket to St Mary's.
They are asking for their club to charge the same price to Southampton supporters for the return fixture.
In truth although I do agree with them that £40 for a ticket for a Championship game is expensive, I was under the impression from the recent meeting to discuss this game between both clubs and the police, that they were looking for the match to be reciprocal in pricing, if this is the case then one club probably Saints has stuck to their guns on the £40 and when we travel to their stadium we will also be charged the same price.
Portsmouth FC have confirmed the following, which will be identical for us for the return visit.
1. No tickets will be issued until the day of the game and will only be handed to the supporters assigned to the ticket at time of booking. They will need to provide photographic ID before being issued with their ticket once aboard the coach.
2. At the point of your match-ticket purchase, you will be required to select your preferred pick-up location. Prior to the fixture, fans will be issued confirmation of times and their location via email. Supporter preferences cannot be guaranteed, but the club will endeavour to accommodate.
3. You will be allocated a coach number prior to the day of travel, confirming your location, as well as arrival and departure times. The coaches will leave at these agreed times and any person who arrives late will not be able to attend the fixture.
4. All supporters will be searched at the pick-up location prior to boarding the coaches.
5.No food or drink can be taken on board the coaches. It is preferred that supporters do not carry a bag, but if you require one, please ensure it is no bigger than A4 size.
6. Supporter coaches will include a member of club staff on board from each of the locations.