The Fortress to provide dedicated, independent coverage of Portsmouth on CounterPress

Calling all Pompey fans, a new independent media title dedicated entirely to high-quality coverage of Portsmouth will land on CounterPress this summer.

The Fortress launches in August and will deliver news, analysis, features and opinion - with a remit to provide intelligent, insightful coverage of the Championship club.

The site is fronted by Pompey fan and freelance editor/writer Gary Tipp, who was born and bred on the island. He went to the same school as former player Peter Ellis and used to buy sweets from Albie McCann’s newsagents on Winter Road. 

As a long-term season ticket holder in the North Stand Upper, his view of the pitch could only be improved if he could see the Milton End goal and the penalty spot at the same time without having to crane his neck because of a pillar.

A former editor of the near legendary Total Football magazine, Gary has written extensively about the game over a long career. He has also published three books about Portsmouth Football Club. The first ‘Prosinecki In Blue - A Season Of Uncommon Artistry’ lead to him interviewing the Croatian wizard onstage at Fratton Park.

It was followed by sister title ‘Merson In Blue - A Season Of Boundless Magic.’Gary’s most recent book, ‘True Blue: The Barry Harris Story’ was written in conjunction with the larger-than-life club legend, and features interviews with Harry Redknapp, Paul Cook, and John Mousinho (available in the club shop now!). He was also responsible for the now defunct Pompey Elevens website.

The Fortress members can expect regularly updated Pompey content in the form of news, opinions, magazine-style features, and interviews together with match day reporting and analysis. Long reads, short snippets of news, as long as it’s of genuine Pompey interest, it’s all going to be thrown in the mixer.

As a club rich in history as the city itself, the site will look back to great matches and legendary players of the past. We are already working on a series of articles called ‘The Day We Beat…’ with other content ideas in the pipeline.

The Portsmouth fans are a knowledgeable bunch and there will be plenty of chance for them to interact with the site, whether that’s via an opinion column, an interview or simply by entering a competition. Every fan has a story, and we’re keen to cover them.

Gary said: “I named the site The Fortress as a direct nod to Fortress Fratton. 

“There are other sets of fans who might refer to their home ground as a fortress, but anyone who has witnessed the noise, passion and fighting spirit at Pompey on a match day will know that Fortress Fratton is the real deal.”

The Fortress’s early interest waiting list is now open, with a full launch to come ahead of thenew season.Pompey fans keen to explore the platform can secure an exclusive discount on membership by adding their details to the mailing list today.

Gills 365 is the 17th club in the Premier League, EFL and National League to be covered by a CounterPress outlet. Prominent titles across the divisions include The Moonraker (Swindon Town), Full Throstle (West Bromwich Albion), From Bromley With Love (Bromley FC), The Brighton Base (Brighton & Hove Albion), Saturday White Fever (Fulham) and The 1878 (Manchester United).

Co-founder Sam Morshead said: “Gary is another example of fandom and journalism blending perfectly, his Pompey knowledge is superb and his passion for the club burns through.

“The Fortress will combine all these qualities to deliver a service to the community that has substance and soul; fan’s eye coverage delivered with the love of a lifelong supporter and the nuances of a seasoned journalist. 

“I’m delighted Gary has chosen CounterPress to provide him with the infrastructure and resources necessary to make The Fortress a reality. We’ll be with him every step of the way.”