Demolition work update - The progress so far

Lots of things have happened at Fratton Park since Thursday August 11th 2005 including new signings, poor results and speculation over our manager's future. But the thing most important to the long term future of the club is the new stadium.

I promised in an earlier post that I would keep everyone updated on the progress, and with nearly one month gone, I thought it was time for an update.

So on this hot and sunny day, while everyone is tucked up inside watching the Ashes, I decided to take a trip down to Fratton Park. This was my first trip down the Park since the work began as I missed the first two home games against Tottenham and Villa as I was on holiday.

I am pleased to report the study centre is no more. All that remains is a small pile of rubble. The demolishers seem to have made good progress in this area.

While I was amongst the rubble, I was trying to visualise the new stands surrounding me as I stood in the new centre circle. I am now even more convinced it is really going to happen!

On the negative side though, I was disappointed not to see more than two workers on the site. These two, in which were perfect conditions for work, were sitting in their portable office drinking tea.

I was also told by one of demolishers before the work began that after four to five weeks, ALL of the buildings would be down. As you can see from my photographs, this is not the case. I am not worried because as I understand it, there is a gap between the demolition being finished and the first construction of the new North Stand.

I will pop back in a couple of weeks, most probably on the 17th September as Portsmouth are at home that day to Birmingham City. Hopefully by then, everything will be down! Check back then for more updates.