Stadium Investigation (Part 1 1/2)

Stadium Investigation One

To read the first half of this investigation click here.

(28.11.03) Portsmouth Village

On the 28th of November, Portsmouth fans heard about the 90 million pound development which would pay for the stadium. "Construction could start in the spring of 2004."

What they didn`t tell you- Building this would have put the club in serious debt. The chances of getting planning permission, was also going to be tricky.

Was Milan really going to put the club in debt?


(28.11.03) Milan`s delight

Commenting on the new Pompey Village, Chairman Milan Mandaric said: -

'I would like to express my sincere thanks to the local council, Architect Headly Greentree and to the entire team who have worked so tirelessly on this project.

We wanted to create a development that was modern, stylish and impressive to complement the new stadium and I believe that is exactly what we have achieved.

Pompey Village will be something of which I, and all the people of Portsmouth, can be justly proud.

It is constructed with the community in mind and all the different needs that cater for one so tight knit.

But for our wonderful football fans we are creating a magnificent stadium accompanied by a lovely development that will be eye catching and thoroughly modern.

They will come to look at the stadium and all that encompasses it with exactly the same pride currently reserved for supporting the team.

Pompey Village, coupled with our new stadium, will firmly put both feet of Portsmouth FC into the 21st century to stay.

And the wonderful concept behind Pompey Village means that the club will be able to stand self sufficiently on those two feet without in later years being crushed under a burden that cripples it."

(29.07.05) Demolition to begin

This is the biggest question of all over a year and a half later, demolition begins. Did it really take that long to get planning permission?

In a press release Milan remarked that he said we would see, "demolition beginning around this time." However if you refer back to the 28th of November 2003, it told us that demolition work to build the new stadium and village should start in "spring of 2004."

So why the year and a half delay? Did Milan lie for a reason or did he just forget he had told fans the "spring of 2004."

All these questions will be answered in Stadium investigation two, which will be released tomorrow.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.