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.

All Photos Via Reuters

saintmark1976 added 16:28 - Aug 22 Honestly, what is the problem ? A quick look on the South Western train’s website suggests that a return ticket costs £21 so for an extra £2.50 they get dropped off right outside the ground. £40 for a ticket to watch what for them will be the highlight of their season is good value. After all it’s discretionary spending, attendance is not compulsory and the game will be on TV. Go to a pub as £62.50 buys a goodly amount of alcohol even at today’s prices and that will hopefully soften the blow of a home win for them.

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1885_SFC added 16:45 - Aug 22 I think they are being charged a small added extra cost for the de-lousing/de-contamination of the stand after the game... and in case the bell ringing gypo pisses all over the seats again.
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dixiefrog added 17:08 - Aug 22 I walked into a fancy dress shop and asked for a vampire outfit. The assistant came back with a full Portsmouth FC kit. I said 'I think you misunderstood me, I want to look like a count................
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LondonSaint76 added 17:26 - Aug 22 What are they moaning about? It was hold be interesting to compare the total cost of policing and stewarding the Portsmouth game with say the Story me game tomorrow - where do they think the extra money comes from? A percentage of that can be generated by the uplift in ticket prices for this fixture which is fair enough for both games. As for the coach ticket prices, the extra levels of security involved in the distribution of the tickets will cost more than usual as the club officials or the police in charge of the searches & ticket distribution will not be working for nothing. In addition, it is possible the coaches will need a police escort for part if not all of the journey - perhaps enhanced in terms of the numbers on escort duty especially in & out of Southampton - again, quite possibly additional costs involved there. If the blue few are moaning already, wait until the day of the game when they can’t bring their own food & drink onto their coaches and they see the prices of the concourse catering at St Mary’s Stadium!! 😮🤬🤣

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LondonSaint76 added 17:55 - Aug 22 Apologies, my damned phone keeps alerting what I have typed. On the comment above the first bit should read - What are they moaning about? It would be interesting to compare the total cost of policing and stewarding the Portsmouth game with say the Stoke City game tomorrow - where do they think the extra money comes from? Not even had my first BH weekend drink yet...

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Bowlercow added 18:58 - Aug 22 The cost of the coach is based on the time that that coach is tied up for Not necessarily on the distance travelled.For both fixtures there is a high risk of damage to the coaches so additional insurance may be needed At the end of the day if you want to see the game live you need to pay up Many pubs will be showing this game Is there any restriction on cars carrying the blue few from coming into the city and causing havoc

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BigbadBarry8myboat added 19:22 - Aug 22 They're moaning because they can't rock up and get a ticket and then hang around the ground looking for trouble, and can't get leathered before the game. Welcome to the consequences of historic meetings where their yocals destroyed their own town and tried to do the same to ours.
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Jesus_02 added 22:09 - Aug 22 Seems unfair that they pay £40 to watch the game in relative comfort when we will be lucky to see 60% of the pitch and piss against a wall at half time
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mascott514 added 07:01 - Aug 25 At the end of the day- they could charge anything and impose any rules they like and the fixtures would sell out. We're lucky we have a proper derby rivalry - just a shame it's locked down so much now due to past issues. Let's face it, there would be trouble if it was a less restricted route into the grounds. We just have to win now....
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LoisDeem added 11:56 - Aug 26 Appears the club have been fostering the ongoing (good?) relations between these two clubs. I understood that most Stoke City fans paid £30 for tickets at St Marys, and that the two fan groups were agreed and trying to recommend adherence to this policy for both the derby games? This has nothing to do with the transport costs which are a separate issue and understandably unique. Although this has set a precedent and we haven't heard our clubs plan for this, although they don't seem slow to capitalise these days. I'm also curious as to why Pompey need a pick up point from Winchester? We'll await comments from the club with baited breath but I would be more interested in other fans thoughts on this too.

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