Another away game, another ground notched up for Pompey fans. The 'League One Tour' is giving us plenty of new experiences and memories.
Crawley Town's modern, edge-of-town, stadium is a combination of 'old style' terracing and seating. It's a club that has risen rapidly in recent years up through the football pyramid in stark contrast to the fortunes of Pompey. In 2008 a league match between these two clubs would have been unthinkable, how times have changed.
There were some moments where I thought one or two of the stewards appeared to be a bit 'heavy handed', but who am I to comment? I only caught the tail end of the incidents. It ain't an easy job in my view especially on occasions like this. Overall the staff were welcoming and friendly, did their jobs well and got in to the spirit of things when it was appropriate.
All-in-all this was a good day out, the sun was shining, it was very warm, over 1,600 fans travelled, made lots of noise and enjoyed themselves as Pompey won their first league match of the season, albeit aided by some poor decisions by the match officials - how many times will I have to comment on that this season?
Enjoy the pictures.
Stadium Pictures
View of the Broadfield Stadium sign on the West Stand, taken from the main road. I took the A3, M25
and M23 to get to Crawley. Leaving at Junction 11 I parked in one of the
nearby business parks and walked down to the ground. It was easy to get
to and easy to get away from afterwards, although I did notice that the
M23 was hammered as I drove over the motorway and headed back south
along the A23 and A272.
Crawley's very own 'lost football'! After the match some Pompey fans were doing a conga around it!
Entrance to the main Broadfield Stadium site - look they're playing Pompey!
The turnstiles at the corner of the North Stand Terrace (away fans) and the East Stand.
Because of the SkyTV coverage there were all sorts of vehicles parked alongside the back of the North Stand Terrace.
An alternative turnstile used to access the North Stand Terrace (away fans), this time at the corner with the West Stand.
The main entrance to the stadium in the West Stand.
The Crawley Town Club Shop (yes it's a Portakabin, it says so 'on the tin').
The Ticket Office where Pompey fans collected their matchday tickets. West Stand in the background.
View along the West Stand, looking towards the corner with the North Stand Terrace.
Home supporters' turnstiles, at the corner of the West Standand the South Stand Terrace.
Another view alongside the West Stand.
The bar was doing a good trade with lots of fans from both teams mingling and enjoying the late Summer sunshine.
The view at the back of the South Stand Terrace, you can just see a turnstile at the far end.
Miscellaneous
Champions!
Read All About It! Local papers compete for attention outside the stadium.
Pictures Taken Inside The Broadfield Stadium
The West Stand
Pompey fans on the corner of the North Terrace and the West Stand.
View of the East Stand from the North Stand Terrace. The Pompey fans sat in the corner of this Stand, alongside the SkyTV box which you can also see in this picture. The East Stand would not look out of place at a rowing regatta or a polo match, the roof has a temporary look about it. But hey, who cares?! Crawley have done an excellent job at the Broadfield Stadium, they are clearly a club on an upward trend.
A view of the rest of the East Stand.
View of the South Stand Terrace (the Bruce Winfield Stand).
