Now this presents us with a bit of a problem. The two-tiered North Stand is home to thousands of season ticket holders and after three months of the season, they're going to be turning up at Fratton Park to find that their seats have gone missing. From time to time people have complained about the irritating presence of "JCLs" at football matches, although I have the suspicion that JCBs are going to be far more of a pain.
As a Fratton End resident, this personally is more an issue of bemusement to me than an angry emotional one. I'm concerned, but not in the way that those being asked to pay £540 and then not knowing what is going to happen when the building starts are. Peter Storrie has been on the local radio and said that all fans in the North Stand "will be accomodated"; if it's that simple, Peter, why not tell us where? It would put a hell of a lot of people's minds at rest and certainly make it a bit easier to call up the bank manager, knowing that after a few months people aren't going to end up sat in the Milton End, sat in temporary seating miles from the pitch or ending up without a seat at all.
The North Stand issue has also cleverly deflected away the fact that the pitch rotation is now twelve months delayed for whatever reason. Because of that, if I was in the North Stand, I wouldn't really be too worried as I'd imagine building work will also be heavily delayed there and in the end everyone will last out the season happily. Cynical? As if.
The final point seems to be - having spoken to North Stand season ticket holders - that although being moved and shoved from pillar to post is annoying, they'd still get a season ticket. It's in the blood and at least they'll still get to see the match, knowing that the move is only temporary. But all people seem to want is a little bit of honesty. Who is being moved where, and for how long? How likely is it things will go to plan, and when can we expect to reach some sort of "normal" turn of events? State what is happening nice and clearly and the fans will calm and no doubt splash out the money. Keep them in the dark and on edge, and some will not be so keen.