The AEI Stadium

The AEI Stadium is a local ground in Gosport, Hampshire.

Gosport Borough F.C. have carved out a reputation for consistency at this level. They are unbeaten in their last five FA Trophy qualifying matches, a run of form that suggests they know how to navigate the pressure of knockout football. This knowledge has been put to the test before. The club reached the FA Trophy Final in 2014, losing to Cambridge United, and returned to the final stage in 2024, where the outcome was the same. The history between them adds an edge to their participation in these competitions; they are not visitors trying to upset the local order, but regulars who understand the magnitude of the occasion.

The ground itself has evolved alongside the club. Originally opened in 1937 as Privett Park, it has seen the Harry Mizen Stand added in 2011 to improve facilities. The surface is artificial turf, a practical decision that maintains the pitch quality through harsh winters, allowing the team to play through conditions that might leave a natural grass field unplayable. While the capacity sits at 4,500, the atmosphere during cup runs can be more intense than the numbers suggest. Temporary seating was installed for the FA Cup tie against Colchester United in 2014, drawing a crowd of 2,013, which remains the attendance record. That match saw the team throw everything at it, and although they were reduced to ten men late in the game, the effort held.

The stadium’s many names—Aerial Direct, M Group, Mortgage Decisions—reflect the commercial reality of non-league football. None of these titles change the fact that it is a working ground. The club has also secured the Hampshire Senior Cup in 1988 and 2015, trophies that matter more locally than they do in the wider game.