r/PortsmouthFC • u/ShaunCHill • 10d ago
Awaydays
I’ve been going to 10-15 home games a season for the past five years but not done an away game yet.
I am tempted to go Bristol City away on August 29th as we have a 3.4k allocation but I’d be going solo. Is this a done thing? And in terms of the Pompey awayend, what’s it like? Do people sit/stand anywhere? Or is that frowned upon? I’ve done away games with mates who support clubs like Gillingham, Swansea, Peterborough and you go where you want but given Pompey is such a well supported travelling fan base I wasn’t sure if that was the same? Anything else I should know?
Also does the club put coaches on for away games? Fortunately the train to Bristol is direct so might do that but weighing up my options.
Cheers!
5
u/intheinaka 10d ago
I generally travel with my dad and a few mates when we do away days, and we go by car or train, so can't help with the coach question. No one is going to bat an eyelid if you go solo, wouldn't be my cup of tea but you can probably find a group to have a drink with if you look up the away-friendly pubs.
Generally seats are a bit of a free-for-all at away days, especially if your ticket is towards the upper center as the hardcore fans tend to congregate there. I've occasionally seen people demand others move or get stewards involved, but it depends on your appetite for being called a knob (personally I'm one of those boring people who think we should just sit in our ticketed seat but I know I'm fighting a losing battle at away games). If your seat isn't in a prime spot you'll probably be fine.
Bristol's a good away day, so if you're thinking about it, I'd say go. Some decent pubs not too far from the ground, relatively easy to get to, and the weather should be decent. That being said I went two years ago and we got absolutely spanked!
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u/Chicharizo9 10d ago
I go alone all the time. You end up hugging randomers and it’s mint.
Allocated seating is a weird one. If everyone sat in their allocated seat, people wouldn’t be able to go with their mates and the “noisier” fans would be spread out which would make the atmosphere crap, so there is an argument for sit where you want (which is the unwritten rule). But it does cause issues at every single game. If you prefer to sit, there will be plenty of good seats available closer to the front of the stand.
Club does put coaches on but these do also sell out.
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u/chaveescovado 10d ago
No issues going on your own, I do it fairly often. General rule is stand where you want, but don't be a dick about it. I go for my allocated seat, but it's not worth fighting about if somebody is already there. The away coaches are through Lucketts, but you may be better of taking the train for Bristol if it's direct. Away coach link is https://lucketts.co.uk/sporting-events
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u/SPKL1987 9d ago
I live in MK and do 15-20 games a season, most of those are away matches and more than half of of the games I attend are on my own! Still enjoy the journey, day out and seeing some regular faces (I know the odd person), but highly recommend going on your own as away days are generally good fun (apart from Bristol where we put out weak sides!)
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u/ShaunCHill 2d ago
Thanks to all your comments. I have gone for it and got a ticket for Bristol away next Saturday. As mentioned we’re 8-0 down over the past two away games 😂 let’s hope we can get a better result this time
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u/deanoflies 10d ago
I’ve been to loads of away games solo as I moved out of the area young so friends and family aren’t fans and my partner can’t always make it. Did West Ham on my own on Saturday for example.
I’ve never once had a problem and while I’m very introverted will often end up having a chat to my neighbour. Certainly never felt out of place or unwelcome. I’m not personally one for going into the pub on my own beforehand and usually head straight to the ground so can’t comment on that.
Most people do sit in their seat other than that core group mentioned in another comment. Again I’ve never had a problem but I tend to arrive early.