Portsmouth weigh up potential training camp rethink over supporter attendance
Last summer the Blues held a week-long training camp at the X-Bionic Sphere in Samorin, Slovakia
Pompey are weighing up whether to scrap having a supporter presence at this summer’s training camp.
In recent years, John Mousinho’s squad have spent a week of the pre-season schedule honing their fitness in Croatia and Slovakia ahead of the Championship season.
On each occasion, supporters were invited to watch a training session abroad on an allocated date, provided they informed the club of their planned attendance.
As part of the arrangement, fans were afterwards allowed to mix with the Blues players and management, asking for autographs and photos in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
This summer, Pompey are scheduled to go away from July 5-12 for a week-long training camp at a venue yet to be revealed.
However, with a fixture also booked at German club SV Darmstadt on August 1, the club are currently mulling over whether to this year remove the open-training session option to the fans.
Portsmouth boss’ rethink on training camps and friendlies
The idea had originally been introduced by the Blues after Mousinho opted against having a friendly attached to Pompey’s last two pre-season camps, preferring to focus on training during the week-long stay.
With supporters subsequently disappointed at not having a summer fixture abroad, it was decided to organise an event for those members of the Fratton faithful still keen to travel.
Taking place in Medulin in 2024 and Samorin in 2025, the gesture has been hugely appreciated by those attending fans, some of which journeyed from nearby countries to watch their heroes in action.
Yet with Germany serving as the venue for the final friendly of the summer, it has cast doubt over whether an open-training session on Pompey’s training camp is also required to take place.
Certainly the fixture against the Bundesliga 2 club is expected to be well attended by Blues supporters, with the Merck-Stadion am Böllenfalltor having a capacity of 17,810.
Last friendly abroad was in July 2023
The last time a friendly was part of a pre-season training camp was in July 2023, when Pompey faced Gibraltar side Europa FC at Estadio Jose Burgos De Quintana in Malaga, Spain.
On that occasion, Mousinho’s men won 1-0 through a Colby Bishop penalty, albeit the match represented their first fixture of that summer.
Since then, training camps in Croatia and Slovakia have not involved a game at Mousinho’s request - although instead supporters have been allowed into a training session.
However, that situation is presently being reviewed, with Darmstadt seen as a popular alternative on this occasion.
Pompey players are scheduled to return for testing for two days from June 25-26, before pre-season training kicks off on Monday, June 29.
Meanwhile, the Blues are exploring opposition options for Saturday, July 18 - the only free date remaining in their pre-season programme.
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