Pundits hail Portsmouth fans as they recall playing at Fratton Park

Two former football players turned pundits have reminisced about their experiences at Portsmouth’s Fratton Park - and fans will enjoy their remarks.

Pompey have played at Fratton Park since 1899, and after 127 years, it still has a strong impact on rival players and supporters alike.

Don Goodman and Matt Kilgallon are two of those players who have recently shared their thoughts on what it’s like to face Pompey at Fratton Park.

Goodman on Pompey

Goodman said of Fratton Park: "Every time I go to Portsmouth and to Fratton Park, I love it. It's a traditional, brilliant football ground. The supporters actually realise what an important role they play, and so they get right behind their team.

"Fratton Park is one of my favourite traditional grounds. I’ve been retired from playing for 23 years now, and while there are lots of more modern grounds out there these days, there is just something special about Pompey's ground. It has a real atmosphere and tradition. It's great they are going to be giving it the TLC it deserves."

Kilgallon on Pompey

Kilgallon, remembering the time he scored at Fratton Park, told The News via online-gambling.com: "One game I will always remember from my career is when I was at Bradford City, and we played at Portsmouth.

"We went to Fratton Park, both teams at the top of the league, trying to get out of League One. Always a good place to go. A tough place to go, Fratton Park. Loud, they get behind Pompey. They don't stop, do they, the Portsmouth fans. Absolutely class!

"It was a boiling hot day. Another reason it was a good one: my mate, who I played with at Leeds United, Robbie Blake, was assistant coach at Pompey at the time. I was going out with him after because he was living down there.

"I scored in the last minute, in the last second, a header, right in front of the Bradford City fans, our away fans. My mate whipped it in, a little glancer. I just got across the front post and then bowled over to the fans like I was some sort of Conor McGregor wannabe, giving it large! Yeah, that was probably one of my favourite goals, just because of the stadium and their fans were so great as well. It was boiling hot, and it was the last minute. I didn't get many, but I remember that one well!"