It was just like the old days.

Now even if we had not won this game, I can tell you the atmosphere was just like the old days. It was a game we just could not lose and I had a feeling it would be a win maybe 2-1 or something but not a 4-0 win. There was singing from all four sides of the park . I think the old crowed the hardcore took up some of the cheap tickets and I heard some of the Fratton end moved to other parts of the ground, it made for a very good Pompey atmosphere.And the way the team played against a very poor Wigan side was a joy.All in all it was just like the old days Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aruna Dindane scored a hat-trick as Portsmouth completed a memorable week with a superb display at Fratton Park.
Dindane dinked over Chris Kirkland to open the scoring before Frederic Piquionne raced clear to make it two.
After the break striker Dindane stabbed home from close range and completed his treble from the spot after Kanu was blatantly tripped by Emmerson Boyce.

It's been a Hull of a time!

Since Pompey's defeat to Spurs last Saturday, the last seven or so days I have been following Pompey, hang on, no I haven't, I have been on the internet reading articles about the CEO Peter Storrie being charged with false accounting over tax, and on the radio most of the phone-ins on the Quay have been about the bully-boy tactics by our once fine stewards and the old bill. Don't get me started on them!!

I then found an article from our new owner stating that "he was only in this for the money" and "would sell up in 6 months time"? Oh no he didn't, PFC have denied that this was anything to do with the owner, and the interview was in fact a fabrication.

So the next thing I hear is that Pompey have had a massive clear-out of youth-team coaching staff! I find this normal for a company doing a reorganisation of business I can't believe that Pompey have over 600 staff!

So the one thing I have not been following is Pompey this week, the thing that really matters, what the boys on the pitch do or don't do, isn't that what it is all about? Isn't it about supporting the team - win lose or draw? I would just like to get on and support Pompey and let the men and women in power get on with all the other stuff. But it is so hard not to look up at the rumours and stuff from ITK's. This is not what it's all about is it?

So after this week I hope the next will be much more to do with football and a little less of the off-the-pitch stuff please.

Pompeygary

Are You A Real Fan?

Got This from BBC 606

Posted by sammyj2kwf

If you are going to comment, at least read the post through to the end. Yes, even the last paragraph where it says this article shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's just a bit of fun hoping to ignite some healthy debate amongst footy fans.

Anyways,

Any football fan worth their salt should have a read of this article as I'd love to hear what you think about this little quandary.

A topic born from a conversation a few of us had around the water cooler (literally) earlier this morning, whereby two colleagues claimed to be fans of a football team. The first said she was a United fan, the other supported Aldershot.

The 'United fan' was first pressed on her alleigence - she didn't know how they got on but after prompting knew they played Bolton. All her family were United mad apparently and therefore she says she is too.

Then the Aldershot fan (at first glance, kudos was given for such an obscure team) was quizzed. He knew even less about their (unfortunate) loss at home to Bury this weekend. He claimed his grandad and dad were fans and he went to a few gams as a kid.

As a Villa season ticket holder, was it then snobby of me to think I'm more of a fan than them? After all what constitutes 'Fan-ness'?

In the end I decided it wasn't snobby of me - and I am more of a fan.

These are the 9 rules to I came up with to decide if you are a true fan.

1) Needed to go to 2/3 games a season OR (if abroad) a seasons worth of home games (19-23) in your lifetime.
Mainly because some true fans of a team find themselves living or working abroad for a long periods and it would be too discrimatory to say they must go to 'X' amount of games per season.

2) Must have been to at least 1 away game in their life.
So much more effort involved in going to an away games, but a true fan should be able to find the time and money at least once.

3) Must own at least one shirt of your beloved club - any season will do.

4) You check at least once a day, the papers or internet, for stories about your club.

5) If, for what ever reason, you are missing your team play, for the 90 minutes they're playing, you are constantly wondering what the score is.

6) Having a really selfish anecdote where you put your team first over something equally important (i.e left a wedding early to watch a game on tv, cancel holiday as your team were playing an important game, etc)

7)Have found someone in your life who shares your passion for the club as much as you.
A true fan surely can't contain all their pleasure and frustrations on their own. They need a reliable sounding board to tell them hat they think is right.

8) Must be delighted each time they win, gutted and sulky when they lose and furious whenever some bloody referee screws things up in the other team's favour.

9) Finally, you have either a PROXIMITY reason or FAMILY reason to support the club. Other reasons may be considered by the committee.
Some 'wacky' excuses I've heard fans come up with range from 'I like the name' to 'They won the league least year'.

Mr Redknapp

I, for one, will be welcoming Harry Redknapp back to his spiritual home today at Fratton Park. As a manager, he was our most successful for many a year, he is one of the best, he gave us the F.A. Cup and top ten finishes in the league. But he mostly achieved this with MONEY. I don't care how good a manager you are, you can only be as successful as the money will allow you to be. There is a limit to every team, as with Pompey we punched well above our weight, and it is going to take some time to recover from this - but we will.

Back to Mr Redknapp. When he was Director of Football and was asked to take over as manager, he refused until the club was safe in the league,and then the club sold Peter Crouch and gained the money to build a side to win the old First Division (at this time many clubs were left short when ITV Sport went bust). So Pompey were ahead of most of the other teams in the league with money to spend on players.
It seems to me that when Harry left the first time, he was told that he had to manage with a reduced budget, so he said I need a rest and NO I "am not going down the road". Well he did take them down!!

I believe he came back when he was promised money, and all of a sudden new money came in to buy players to keep us up - lots of money!
After the F.A. Cup win and good league finishes with players of world class quality, the money stopped and Mr Redknapp was off like a shot.
The thing that gets my goat with Mr Redknapp is the way he uses the press " I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG" and "THIS CLUB WERE AT THE BOTTOM OF DIVISION ONE WHEN I TOOK OVER" "People said 'I hope you get cancer', 'I hope you turn your car over and kill your wife' - he is only making things worse by saying this he is responding to the ignorant and it does not help with his return to his spiritual home - sometimes he needs to keep his mouth shut for once.

It seems to me the man can't operate without large resources Don't get me wrong - he is a good manager - a very good one indeed, but what do Bournemouth, West Ham United and Portsmouth have in common? Answer: they all ran into money problems post Mr Redknapp.
He is not to fully blame though, the owner and the CEO did not keep control of the budget, but it was their fear of Mr Redknapp walking out of the club, that they gave him all the money he wanted - I fear that is true.

So do I hate Redknapp? No. I would have a drink with him any day (as long as he is buying)! The real problem with football today is MONEY, owners who get their club into debt, managers who demand money for players or they are off, and the real problem with modern football "PLAYERS AND THEIR WAGES". The bubble is bursting!

I Grant You

Avram Grant has re-joined Pompey as director of football.

The 54-year-old will work alongside Blues manager Paul Hart, who remains in charge of team selection. Grant will act as a conduit between the playing side of the club and the board.

The appointment forms part of a comprehensive review of the club by new owner Ali Al Faraj.

Pompey chief executive officer Peter Storrie said: “The club’s new owners want to appoint, with immediate effect, Avram Grant as director of football.

“Paul Hart remains as manager and Avram Grant will work alongside him and give him the benefit of his experience. Avram’s role is to help and advise Paul. Team selection matters will remain with the manager.

“We now have two very experienced people working together which will only benefit the club. Paul does not have an assistant but now has a director of football alongside him.

“The manager, director of football, chief executive officer and chief scout will all work together on the buying and selling of players.”

Grant spent the 2006/7 season as Pompey’s technical director before joining Chelsea as director of football.

I Like This.

From The Official Site.

New owner Ali Al Faraj has spoken for the first time since taking over Pompey and outlined that stability is the key for the Premier League club.

He said: "Our aim is to put a stable foundation in place in all aspects of the business, beginning with the financial restructuring of the club.

"Once this is in place we can assess our approach to building a much-needed new training ground and redeveloping Fratton Park.

"In order to do this we need the full co-operation and understanding of various parties while we come to terms with the ongoing issues of the club's business and financial commitments.

"We are appointing a professional team to review all aspects of the club, working alongside chief executive officer Peter Storrie. There will also be a restructuring of the board.

"It is well-documented that we initially wanted to take over the running of the club two months ago. This would have enabled us to capitalise on the summer transfer window and help provide finance to strengthen the squad. Unfortunately we were unable to do so and that was a wasted opportunity.

"However, the players brought in at the eleventh hour, along with those already at the club, have been tremendous and shown a great spirit and unity. And that is great credit to them and Paul Hart and his coaching team.

"We have a very loyal fan base who have shown remarkable support. It is important for us to work with them and keep them aware of our plans.

"Both the community and council have a major role to play in the future of the club and we look forward to discussions with them on a number of issues to enhance Portsmouth Football Club."

New Owner PFC Statement

Sulaiman Al Fahim, the owner of Portsmouth Football Club, has sold the majority - 90 per cent - of the club to Falcondrone Limited, a company owned by Saudi Arabian businessman Mr Ali Al Faraj.

Contracts have been signed between the parties today to enable funds to be released to pay the players and executive board on Tuesday.

Al Fahim Asia Associates, owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, will retain 10 per cent of the club and he remains as non-executive chairman until at least the end of the 2010/11 season.

Ali Al Faraj will join the club’s board of directors along with his associate, Mark Jacob.

Peter Storrie will remain chief executive officer.

Mr Al Faraj, 40, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a respected property investor in the Middle East and has already passed the Premier League’s fit and proper persons test.

A Pompey spokesman said: “The takeover will ensure Portsmouth Football Club’s future is safe and will bring financial stability.

“Once the takeover is complete the club will undergo refinancing in order to grow and develop every part of the business.

“Mr Al Faraj is very supportive of the club’s plans for a new training ground and the development of Fratton Park.“

Everything is crossed

These people must work together to save the club! or I will be banging some heads.

Sulaiman Al Fahim ,Ali Al-Faraj, Peter Storrie and the one that has to allow this to go through
Sacha Gaydamak.


Pompeygary

Wolves 0-1 Pompey

Three points at last (sorry Dad) and I for one am happy!

Portsmouth ended a turbulent week with their first Premier League win of the season courtesy of Hassan Yebda's goal.

The Algerian midfielder, who is on loan from Benfica, powerfully headed in Kevin Prince Boateng's right-wing cross after Wolves failed to clear a corner.

Eighteen minutes into the first half the assistant referee correctly flagged for a corner for the south coast club.

The home side were appealing for a goal-kick after Tommy Smith looked to have run the ball out of play but it was George Elokobi's block that deflected the ball out.

t was vital that Portsmouth's players, who were not paid this week after a delay in the transfer of funds following Sulaiman Al Fahim's takeover in August, started the game in positive fashion.

Pompey keeper David James saved an early effort from Matt Jarvis and bravely blocked a late Andy Keogh shot, while Tal Ben-Haim threw himself in front of Kevin Doyle's follow-up.

A couple of late Wolves corners will not have helped Pompey owner Al Fahim's recovery from surgery on Friday, but his side held on for their first victory of the season and they will now look to become the first side since Liverpool in 1899 to avoid relegation after losing their opening seven games of the season.

New Owners ?

From the Portsmouth News.

Pompey will stave off the threat of financial ruin after Sulaiman Al Fahim agreed to sell the club to the Al Faraj brothers.

The News understands that Al Fahim has finally admitted defeat in his bid to secure finance for the club and will pass over control to the Al Farajs.

That will prevent Pompey from falling into administration and enable them to pay players and board members for the foreseeable future.

Al Fahim will retain a 10 per cent stake in Pompey but power at the club will now be in the hands of the Al Faraj brothers.

The Al Farajs nearly took control at Fratton Park last month after forming the main part of a consortium led by Blues chief executive Peter Storrie.

However, former owner Sacha Gaydamak opted to sell the club to Al Fahim instead.

When Al Fahim failed to secure funds to put into Pompey, though, the Blues were left on the brink of a financial crisis which last week saw them unable to pay the wages of the entire first-team squad and executive board.

As a result, Storrie once again turned to the Al Farajs to step in.

It is believed they stumped up the £1.8m needed to solve the wages delay.

And with Pompey admitting they could face a greater financial crisis unless more funds were put into the club in he next fortnight, Al Fahim has now done what many Blues fans demanded and sold Pompey to the Al Faraj brothers, who are expected to plough more money in next week.

13 days later.

Storrie has painted a bleak future at Fratton Park unless owner Sulaiman Al Fahim comes up with 30 per cent of his pledged £50m cash injection by October 15.

A report today said that a figure of about £3m is owed to agents Pini Zahavi and Jonathan Barnett of the Stella Group and an interim loan to pay the September wage bill is owed to Ali al-Faray, who wanted to buy the club from Sacha Gaydamak.

Storrie was able to secure a £5m loan deal which will pay the £1.8 million September wage bill and pressing debts. But he fears the October wage bill won't be paid unless Al-Fahim comes up with the promised £15m by mid-October.

Storrie told the sports website ESPN Soccernet: "I have to be truthful and tell you that I don't know if the 30% of the £50m refinancing package will arrive with us in mid-October. I would say that you have the date around about correct, around October 15.

"So the bottom line is the middle to end of October. I really don't know what will happen if that money doesn't come through. All I can tell you, is what I have seen. The documentation is in place, but the proof of whether it is all genuine will be if it turns up. Sulaiman says that it will, so I have to believe that it will. He believes it, so let's wait and see.

"We have a loan to pay the players' wages for last month, but what has been used as security, I cannot tell you because it has been handled by the lawyers between the two parties, while I have just been the guy doing the introduction.

"If we are talking about the club being used as security, then all I can say is that I genuinely don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me. I persuaded them to help the club. There are people willing to help this club because it is worth saving.

He added: "It is true that we owe a couple of top agents a great deal of money, and if you say it is £3m I can confirm it is not far short of that figure. But there are other agents owed their commissions as well. The two agents you talk about have been incredibly helpful. It is through my friendship with them that they are not banging on the door. Rather they have been really understanding.

"But we have owed money on transfers to a number of clubs, and those clubs have also been extremely helpful. So, it all depends on the refinancing and I don't see it as a deadline necessarily in mid October, but if cannot go on any longer than the end of October, to be realistic. I have been asking people to be patient, but they cannot be expected to be patient for ever.

"The Premier League have been helpful, we've been in touch with them and work closely with them, they are keeping an eye on the situation, but I am keeping them informed. They are aware of all the facts."

Rival consortium pays players

Sulaiman Al Fahim's ownership of Portsmouth has been cast into further doubt after it emerged a rival consortium has paid the players' wages.

Sportsmail understands Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has ridden to the rescue by using his relationship with Ali al-Faraj to broker a deal which will see the Saudi property magnate pump £5million into the beleaguered south-coast club.

Storrie's bid to gain control of the club with the backing of al-Faraj was gazumped at the 11th hour when former owner Alexandre Gaydamak plumped for Al Fahim.

He has since promised to inject £50m into Portsmouth but if that money is not forthcoming soon, the club could face a similar wages shortfall at the end of this month. The Premier League are monitoring the situation.

Speaking yesterday, Storrie, who was on the verge of walking out last week, admitted the club has 'no money left' and is surviving on a hand-to-mouth basis. 'All the money from all the player transfers and the Sky TV money, all of the £35m from January, has gone straight to the Standard Bank,' said Storrie. 'There is no money left.'

A statement by Portsmouth directors - Storrie, Roberto Avondo and Tanya Robins - hinted at the arrangement with al-Faraj and also placed the onus on securing the club's future firmly at the door of Al Fahim.

It read: 'It is very disappointing to all of us that the players have for the first time had to wait for their remuneration for reasons entirely outside the club's control.

'It is through the joint efforts of the executive directors that we are in the final stages of securing funding that will allow the club to meet these obligations. It is clear that to ensure the club is able to secure its longer term future, a more permanent financing solution needs to be found quickly.


'The extent to which the gains that have been realised from player sales were retained by the club's previous banking partner during a protracted takeover period creates a responsibility for the new ownership, one which we are committed to help resolve.

'Ultimately the responsibility to deliver remains with the owner.' Storrie also conceded he has no idea what strings are attached to the £50m Al Fahim has promised to invest to keep the club afloat. He said: 'Al Fahim has promised to at the right time re-finance and he has shown me the documentation, but I've no idea about conditions of the £50m he says will be arriving in a few weeks. We need to re-finance, it's as simple as that.'

Hinting the al-Faraj consortium could be ready to buy-out Al Fahim if he is unable to provide necessary funds, Storrie added: 'I've no idea of the timescale about how long this can go on.

'I don't want to frighten people. I am sure that if the re-financing that has been promised fails for some reason, there will be other people ready to step in.'
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie.


Portsmouth were unavailable for comment last night regarding al-Faraj's financial help but have promised that the first-team players and executive board members will get their money in the next 24 hours. Having originally dismissed the problem as 'a payroll issue' the club were forced to admit yesterday that the reason for the delay was because they simply did not have the funds.

A club statement read: 'The executive board will continue to help the new owner in his efforts to refinance which is a direct consequence of the banks' requirements to retain all television receipts and profits generated [through] transfers.'

With Portsmouth becoming the first Premier League club to remain pointless after their first seven games, under-pressure manager Paul Hart is valiantly trying to keep his players focused on tomorrow's trip to Wolves.

He said: 'It's been explained to the players in a meeting that they will receive the money by Friday at the latest and the players were happy with that explanation and got on with their jobs as if nothing had happened.'

PFC STATEMENT

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB STATEMENT

Portsmouth Football Club’s executive directors – Peter Storrie, Tanya Robins and Roberto Avondo – fully support the club’s owner, Sulaiman Al Fahim, in his efforts to refinance the club and to stabilise the business.

However, at a time when the club needs to focus on a very important match that will help determine its future, it is very disappointing to all of us that the players have for the first time had to wait for their contractual remuneration for reasons entirely outside the club’s control.

It is through the joint efforts of the executive directors that we are in the final stages of securing funding that will allow the club to meet these contractual obligations.

It is clear that in order to ensure that the club is able to secure its longer term future, a more permanent financing solution needs to be found quickly as the executive directors consider it an obligation to the club’s loyal employees and fans, who undoubtedly feel equally disappointed.

The extent to which the gains that have been realised from player sales were retained by the club’s previous banking partner during a protracted takeover period creates a responsibility for the new ownership, one which we are committed to help resolve.

In order to achieve this we will continue to work closely with the owner’s lawyers and associates in delivering the finance that is needed over the next 10 to 14 days. Ultimately the responsibility to deliver this remains with the owner.

We continue to express our gratitude to all our supporters and partners that stand with us in these difficult times and we would like to reassure them of our firm commitment to take this club to a position of stability and to be able to enjoy the football that we have grown accustomed to.

Hang On

I'm looking for the horses mouth at the moment be back soon!

From the Pompey News

Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie has said there is "no money left" to run the football club.

With the latest developments coming as the club has failed to deliver £1.8m in wages as Sulaiman Al Fahim attempts to raise money to secure the club's future.

Players were yesterday called in individually to meet with financial director Tanya Robins to discuss their non-payment

Storrie told ESPNsoccernet that the money has run out at the south coast club.

He said: "All the money from all the player transfers and the Sky TV money, all of the £35 million from January, has gone straight to the Standard Bank," adding, "There is no money left.

"Whatever we spend on a monthly basis comes channelled through from the new owner (Sulaiman Al Fahim]. He has promised to re-finance, and he has shown me all the documentation, but I have no idea about the conditions of the £50 million he says will be arriving in a few weeks.

"We need to re-finance, it is as simple as that. As for the players wages for the last month I would imagine it's a blip and they will be paid, but I have spent the last nine to ten months fighting fires on a daily basis, I'm not giving up.

Having been linked with a move away from the club, Storrie claimed last week that the reactions of the fans had persuaded him to stay.

"Yes I thought about going, but that reception from the fans, how could I go after that," he said. "Yes, we have been very close to administration a few times in the last nine to ten months, but I am not about to give up now.

"I've no idea of the timescale about how long this can go on. I don't want to frighten people. I am sure that if the re-financing that has been promised fails for some reason there will be other people ready to step in.

"There is only so much we can do, by that I mean, the present staff, we are all wholly reliant on the re-financing. Our jobs are to keep everything going until then, and of course I remain hopeful that this club will survive."

From The Scum Echo!

PORTSMOUTH have not been able to pay some of their players this month, with chief executive Peter Storrie saying "there is no money left" at the club.

Paul Hart's side have lost all seven of their Premier League games this season and sit rock bottom of the table, but some Pompey players complained when they weren't paid.

Storrie said: "All the money from all the player transfers and the Sky TV money, all of the £35 million from January, has gone straight to the Standard Bank," he said. "There is no money left.

"Whatever we spend on a monthly basis comes channelled through from the new owner [Sulaiman Al Fahim].

"He has promised to re-finance, and he has shown me all the documentation, but I have no idea about the conditions of the £50m he says will be arriving in a few weeks.

"We need to re-finance, it is as simple as that. As for the players wages for the last month I would imagine it's a blip and they will be paid, but I have spent the last nine to ten months fighting fires on a daily basis, I'm not giving up."

Having been linked with a move away from the club, Storrie claimed last week that the reactions of the fans had persuaded him to stay.

"Yes I thought about going, but that reception from the fans, how could I go after that," he said.

"Yes, we have been very close to administration a few times in the last nine to ten months, but I am not about to give up now.

"I've no idea of the timescale about how long this can go on. I don't want to frighten people. I am sure that if the re-financing that has been promised fails for some reason there will be other people ready to step in.

"There is only so much we can do, by that I mean, the present staff, we are all wholly reliant on the re-financing. Our jobs are to keep everything going until then, and of course I remain hopeful that this club will survive."

The unpaid players were assured that it was only "a payroll issue" and that the money should land in bank accounts later today, but the problem raises further doubts about the recent takeover by Al Fahim.

Al Fahim has promised a cash injection of £50m, but with club struggling both on and off the pitch, the wage issue amounts to yet further embarrassment for Portsmouth and the new owners.

Peter Storrie

I am glad he is staying nuff said.

Pompeygary

Money Maters

Last night on the web our old friends the British media released an article about Portsmouth players not getting paid, someone somewhere is stirring it up is it a player, member of staff or an agent? If this is true then up until this post the football club has not put out a statement ( how many of those have we had ) why? if it is an admin error as I have heard then why not say, I have also heard it is only four players that are missing the money in the bank, the rest and the staff have all been paid. But once again it's only speculation as the club have not told us the facts yet. So until the money( £50m )comes in and it is proved the club is in good hands I will stand and say Al Fahim Out!

Pompeygary

So...................

Well Pompey have advanced to the next round of the League Cup with a good win over Carlise and the prize of a home game against Stoke, but then we went and lost another league game one nil to Everton. Despite the result what I saw on the TV I think at the very least we should of got a draw out of that one. Everything is against Pompey at the moment and I love it!!!!!!!!!!

Pompeygary.

Minutes from the meeting apparently.

From Fansonline.net

Just got out from the meeting. In quick summary, not a great deal of new stuff other than £50M will be with us in 3 to 4 weeks.

Present for us: RubiconCSL and Mr Nuts
Present for PFC: Peter Storrie, Lucius Beart plus other directors and Johnny Moore.

SAF arrived a bit late and the meeting started around 7:45.

SAF first read out a statement.


Apologised for the initial cancellation of the meeting.
quotes about administration are incorrect, misleading and damaging to the club.
Also have made it more difficult to secure finance.
He has secured £50M which will arrive in the next 3 to 4 weeks.
Finances at the club will be fully stabalised in the next four weeks - creditors paid off.
He is committed to take us forward.
He will invest in players.
We must increase revenue coming in - more seats, academy, developing the land we have around the stadium (hotels).

We then moved on to questions and answers; most of which I have captured here.

The £50M has been obtained via loans with international institutions, which will be injected into the club as a directors loan. In one way I guess, this is robbing peter to pay paul, but as I see it, this is then his loan, not the clubs. If the loans get called in, then they are after him, not the club. That is positive as no owner so far while PS has been here has done that.

PVA: "Keep PS at PFC"
SAF: PS is the biggest asset PFC has; don;t want to lose him.

PVA:Why wasn't the loan sorted out BEFORE you bought the club, so we could buy players last simmer?
SAF: Cannot get finaince until after Due Diligence, no-one will lend before that has finished.

SAF then made a comment that he doesn't always want 100% of the club - which was sort of mentioned again a few times later. He wants other investors inthe club, but doesn't have any yet.

PVA: what about the 48 page document?
SAF: he ditthered a bit really on this . Something about it being published when its ready and something about someone having exclusive rights to it or something like that.

PVA (our very own Mr Nuts): Are we seting ourselves up ready for the Championship?
SAF: no-one at the club wants championship football.
PH needs time to get the team to settle and gel. Support him, don't give him a hard time.
"No plans to remove PH in the next few games" - read in to that what you will

PVA: Are ALL ownership papers with the Premier League?
PS: Yes and have been for some time now.

PVA: How much time have you spent with PFC employees so you can get to know how things work over here?
SAF: I have spent time....blah, blah..... I didn't really understand what he gabbled on about then, sorry.

SAF made another mention here about wanting other investors.

PVA: What's all this about a 40k seater eco-stadium?
I really wasn't sure where the conversation went here. He did re-iterate later that he is interested in an eco/green stadium. There are a lot of possible government grants of you do apparently and he has lots of experience with his property business in building green buildings.

PVA: Can the Al Faraj brothers still join in?
SAF: Have met one of them before the buy out. The board wanted them involved. They were emailed "you are welcome to come and invest in the club". SAF has no objection.
No idea what happened next though i.e. why they hadn't then joined in the party?

PVA:When will Sasha be out of the frame?
SAF/PS: Sasha still involved due to loans. When they are paid off (with the £50M) he will be totally out of the picture - should be November, although they can leave it until January (legally I think that meant)

PVA: When will the training ground start?
SAF: When the £50M arrives and the debts are paid off, the board will decide where the rest of the money goes - could be players, ground or training ground.

PVA: How far will the £50M get us before we need more?
SAF: ??? maybe 1yr. Need more investers.

PVA: You said you want UAE players to join the club?
SAF: I would love to see my fellow countrymen playing in the prem, whether at PFC or other clubs. However, that cannot happen, as they are not in the top 70 FIFA ranked countires.

PVA: when is the earliest we will see a larger capacity ground - wherever it is.
SAF: Cannot answer now. I want another meeting in early November where he will be able to answer more questions.

SAF: Finally a question for you. May I come to the game tomorrow?
PVA: Yes, but stay in the directors box and wear a suit!
SAF: The reason I wore the shirt is because in my country it is a mark of respect to the team to wear the kit.
PVA: Over here it just looks cheap!
SAF:Okay, I'll wear a suit

Meeting closed.

SAF then mingled with various groups.

I'll post again when I get home or in the morning. Mr Nuts will also add his comments.

Overall, not much new I guess, but at least he met us and seemed ok - if perhaps a little naive with some things e.g. the English press.

PUP!!

LMAO.

Statement from Sulaiman Al Fahim

"I have decided to postpone tomorrow's meeting with the fans. I am concerned that the coverage generated will distract the players from their preparations for Saturday's crucial game. I will convene this meeting again at the earliest opportunity. Play up Pompey! Sulaiman Al Fahim."

Pompeygary says it's not only Peter Sorrie who has had enough the fans are going to protest me thinks.

Message board doom.

From Quayboy
i have been in contact with peter tonight and he is at breaking point and could walk away from the club !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

he has told me that he cannot carry on this way ,

we the fans need to do something to stop this from happening
whether you like the man or not without him we are truly fooked !!!!!!!

lets stand together and show the world we wont allow our club to be laughed at again !!!!!!


ONE CITY , ONE CLUB , ONE SET OF FANS

WE ARE POMPEY !!!!!!!!!!

Pompey 2-3 Bolton

The first game of the season for me was most enjoyable, not the result , but the enjoyment in the stand was much like the old days, you know the time when you go to football not for the stars or even the result, just the fun of being at a match with your mates and having a good time. But it would appear that I was a bit to happy and having fun for one steward as he tapped me on the shoulder at one point in the game and told me to calm down, I said "what?" to him and he said " just calm down" and I replied "for what having fun". From what I could make out no one had complained if they had as it was the family section I would of sat on my hands, I spent the next ten or so minuets complaining very loudly in his ear shot about "no wonder people don't like coming to games so much if you have to sit down and shut up" and "why is all the fun being sucked out of the fun of watching the game" I did say very loudly that I have been going to Fratton Park for years and have never been told to "calm down" by a steward I was not happy with that rant over.

The pre match drink was very good in a happy Pompey pub with a few supporters in it, the only problem in my mind was that they had the cricket on the TV instead of the Football but hay ho.

It was good to be back at Fratton Park, and to be in the South stand after a few years looking at my old seat on the other side to me was strange.The game itself was not full of quality but full of endeavour from both sides and very enjoyable, it was like going to seeing two teams I have not seen before, as Pompey looked so unrecognisable except for James and one or two others.

I expected a win and we needed a win , but after another strange sub by Hart at 2-2 we started to play deeper and deeper until Bolton won the game dam.

Well I can't wait till the next game whenever that will be but I will enjoy every second of it no matter what the result, I just hope I will be allowed too have fun!

Pompeygary

Finalised minutes - PVA/Club First Meeting

Items for discussion;

1) Ownership of PFC

2) Debt position of PFC

3) Future investment for PFC

4) Role of fan websites

5) Next steps

Colin Farmery began by outlining the purpose of the meeting and the PVA,
that being setting up a dialogue between the club and the websites, to
communicate and listen to each other. The PVA currently covers the
interests of thirteen Portsmouth FC fan websites, who are concerned at the
current situation of the club. It was stated the it had to be understood
that there were a variety of items which the club would be unable to answer
because of confidentiality.

Each attendee of the meeting then introduced themselves and, where
appropriate, which website they represented.

Colin then brought up the first item for discussion, the ownership of PFC.
Note that the resulting discussion also eventually incorporated items 2 and
3, so these are dealt with in one section in the minutes.

Peter Storrie;

- Has been at the club for around seven years and, in that time, no owner
has put equity into the business. Every owner has only increased club debt.

- Average turnover is £60 million, this year will be the first in which the
club is close to break even (£30-£40 million on wages, £20 million on other
costs). This leaves no money for transfers when previously club has lost
heavily each season.

- Has personally saved the club over the last year, but acknowledged the
help received from other Pompey staff.

- Has promised other clubs he will not leave Portsmouth so they know he is
in position to help player deals and payment

- Stated that banks could have called in money at any time, and still could.
As as result of having to reduce the loans to the Standard Bank this was
bringing the club down club down, hence players had to be sold.

- Banks compounded problem as club had to pay out loan fees immediately
instead of staging permanent transfer fees

- Portsmouth are still paying transfer fees for players who have left the
club but these will be cleared in January

- All Sky money received in August went straight to Standard Bank

- Club had to refinance so had to bring in owner who could put in equity

- Other clubs and agents have helped the club by putting back payments due

- Club can only break even additional finance is brought in with larger
stadium, so owner will have to provide the equity

Question from Mike Hall - Has Sulaiman Al Fahim completed his takeover and,
if so, where is his money?

Peter Storrie;

- In February, Peter was approached as Al Fahim was interested in buying the
club. Discussion took place then nothing else was heard

- In May, Peter received a call and subsequently met Al Fahim at the
Champions League Final in Rome. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was
signed.

- Situation dragged on over next few months, Al Fahim was fully aware of
effect on club

- Pini Zahavi approached Peter to raise awareness of the Al Farraj brothers
interest in the club. Meeting was held and interest confirmed, things then
moved quickly

- One member of Al Farraj consortium was suing Arcadi Gaydamak. Even after
the Al Farraj brothers withdrew him, Al Fahim's offer was completed after
he came up with the required money. This was driven by Arcadi Gaydamak. Al
Fahim owns the club

- Al Fahim has not refinanced the club as things stand, and it is unsure
whether he currently has the funds. Al Fahim has assets but all tied up in
business, no liquid assets. He is currently trying to raise new finace, but
we have not heard whether this has been successful yet

- Al Fahim has club at heart but has, so far, only talked. Peter not
getting answers on how to fund the club, and Al Fahim doesn't understand how
the club runs and how it relates to things like the Inland Revenue

Additional from Mike Hall - Are the Al Farraj brothers still interested?

Peter Storrie;

- Yes, proposals are being discussed, but nothing could happen unless Al
Fahim agrees as he is the sole owner of the club

- In response to a follow up on why Al Fahim is being resistant, have to
understand the individual, Al Fahim likes publicity

- Al Fahim will bring in his own people in time

Question from Scott McLachlan - Will he start releasing statements through
the club?

Peter Storrie;

- Al Fahim has to stop releasing statements in other media outlets, it is
concerning, especially as it has an effect on dealings with other clubs.
When Al Fahim mentions he would like to sign various players, other clubs
state that debts to them have to be paid before we sign those players
mentioned

- Al Fahim is in the States trying to try to get club refinanced

- Al Farraj brothers are ready and waiting. Whilst 50/50 partnership would
be legally improbable, share agreement could be discussed

Question from Colin Farmery - Are there any outstanding issues with Sacha
Gaydamak?

Peter Storrie;

- Gaydamak still sits on the board of the holding company (Miland 2004).
Pointed out that Gaydamak has written off £21m debts which the club had.
There is no impediment in the deal Al Fahim has done with Gaydamak, to
prevent him selling the club on.

Question from Mike Hall - Is there any news on Al Fahim's claimed £100
million bonus, and will this go into the club?

- Doesn't know about this, has just been told that Al Fahim is expecting a
bonus

Question from PVA (sorry, didn't catch who this was) - Can the club shed any
light on the supposed 48-page dossier?

Peter Storrie;

- Doesn't think this exists, and believes this was a publicity stunt

Question from Vern Rickman - Is Al Fahim listening to people regarding their
views on his statements and his publicity stunts?

Peter Storrie;

- Al Fahim is doing his own thing, he doesn't appreciate how it comes over
to fans, and doesn't really appreciate how things work

Question from Scott McLachlan - What can the club do to get confidence back
in the club after a summer of broken promises, there is no enthusiasm for
some people to come to Fratton Park?

Lucius Peart;

- The club has taken a kicking across the board, and everyone at the club
has suffered. The club understand how hard it is for the fans as people at
the club have found it hard work

Peter Storrie;

- Haven't got the finance to start the training ground as it stands, or to
start work on turning the ground. We have a fantastic new design for the
ground and this can be moved quickly with finance. Would like a 4,000 to
5,000 family enclosure. Also said that what doesn't help is other clubs
returning late tickets as Portsmouth have to sell these tickets at the same
price the returning club was charging.

Lucius Peart;

- As a thank you to STH’s he said the club are announcing two increases in
discount to Season Ticket Holders.

From now on STH will receive 20% off the launch prices of any replica kit
purchase. This means STH’s can get a S/S home adult shirt for as little as
£28.00. This offer is open until 30th November 2009 and should prove useful
with the home kit just being launched & the new 3rd kit being released on
Oct 7th.

Additionally, STH normal discount of 5% has been increased to 10% from today
(sat) and will run until May 31st 2010. This means any full priced item can
now be bought for 10% off in the PFC shops.

Question from Peter Corrigan - It's great to have players who want to be
here instead of the "overpaid, sulky" players we did have, but will Peter
Storrie be staying?

Peter Storrie;

- Yes, he has just bought a new house and turned down a huge offer from a
big club. Happenings do get him down but has been reassured by messages
from fans. Would like to see how club can get fans back to games who just
come to the one or two games a season

Comment from Jim Bonner - Has seen and talked to other fans who would love
to be in our position, in the top leagues having just won the FA Cup.

Peter Storrie;

- Partly the club's fault for allowing expectations to get too high.

Question from Dave Taylor - Could Portsmouth take advantage of the 20,000
students due in the city this year and look at discounts for them to help
fill the stadium and what do the club think of the Mirror article of the
12th which basically stated the fans were in revolt over unanswered
questions?

Lucius Peart;

- Yes, working with Portsmouth University and also sponsoring their athletic
teams. The club has very good relations with the fans.

Peter Storrie;

- Shocked by the number of supporting emails he has received over recent
times

Comment from Vern Rickman - Feels that Peter has had a good summer, and it
has shown how much he cares about the club, with what he has done and said.

The chairman then moved the discussion onto Point 4, role of fan websites.
What can the websites do for the club and how can we move forward?

Peter Storrie;

- Club has lowered prices on Milton End tickets and season ticket holders
are receiving discoounts on shirts until the end of November

- Try and quell expectations of Al Fahim, he is the way he is

- Promote ticket sales, let's get people back to Fratton Park

Comment from Scott McLachlan - If we are going down, all we want is to go
down fighting and we need to attack teams more

Peter Storrie;

- Paul Hart has never felt he had the players to play an attacking
formation, especially in midfield. Now has his own players

- Atmosphere on training ground is vastly improved, and players have
requested double sessions

Point 5, Next Steps

Peter Storrie confirmed he is happy to have these meetings every two months

Regular meetings will also be held with Johnny Moore and Chris Hayler on how
the club and websites can work together.

Meeting closed: 12.02

The Message Boards Are Getting Interesting!

This is another post about what happened at the PVA/Club meeting should be a couple of interesting weeks me thinks.

From Pompeyfans.com

Posted by Banker.....

I PM'd the mods last night about this and whether I should post it or not but after sleeping on it I've decided to stick it on here, not to try and be a drama queen but because it's genuinely worrying and confirmation of what a few people are saying on here.

I was told that unless Fahim finds new investment very, very soon then we'll have no option but to go into administration, possibly as early as next week. If not next week, we'll only limp along for a couple more weeks and delay the inevitable. The guy is a complete clown. He's invested nothing in the club since arriving. I was also told some stories about him personally and his behaviour since becoming chairman which frankly are a disgrace.

If there's anything we can do to get this twat out of our club, whether it's demonstrating, trying to publically humiliate him or whatever we should try it.

The first meeting of the Pompey Virtual Alliance/Club

I got this from Pompey Online message boards quite interesting a lot more to happen at Pompey yet me thinks.

From Pompeyscot.....

Hi all,

Firstly to say, there will be official minutes produced for the meeting, probably on Monday morning by the time they've been circulated and agreed. I volunteered to be minute taker, so they're my fault

Anyway, thanks to everyone who was there, think it was very productive and enlightening. Club representatives were Peter Storrie and Lucius Peart, with Johnny Moore and Chris Hayler also in attendance.

Anyway, as I said, the main minutes with all the detail in will be in a couple of days, but what were the main points? Well, obviously I can't quote too much at the moment as statements still need to be ratified, as the statements are only my understanding, but the giste of the meeting from my eyes;

Al Fahim does own the club
Club will be close to break even this year
Peter Storrie has saved the club this last year, and has had to fight off the banks (all of the Sky money this summer went straight to Standard Bank).
Players had to be sold as Standard Bank were calling in their debts, all Sky money this summer went straight to them
Peter Storrie is staying with the club
The club has to refinance but Al Fahim has not done that so far
Too much talk from Al Fahim, no actual doing as yet. Al Fahim is not giving answers on how the club is going to be funded
Al Fahim currently in the States seeking refinance
Al Fahim doesn't seem to have much grasp of the operations of English football...in fact, football at all
The Al Farraj brothers are still interested in getting involved in the club
The 48 page dossier doesn't exist, this seems to have been a publicity stunt
Training ground cannot start until the club receives finance

I'll answer any questions which people may have, as I said the full minutes will be out in a couple of days.

For me, the overall opinion I came out with was that there are people there who can really take the club forward, and people at the club who care about it very much. Peter and Lucius were extremely impressive. I am though greatly concerned with Al Fahim being in sole charge of the club, especially when it seems he has such little grasp of how things work, but seemingly happy so long as he has his face in the media. Sorry, you can't play games with Pompey Sulaiman!! We're assured that Al Fahim does have the club's interest at heart, and is looking into finance, but we need finance now, and needed it in the summer. The fact the team is in the state it is in just now is due to the messing around in the summer, and Al Fahim was part and parcel of that. I'm quite angry about it to be honest.

For me, let people who do care about the club, and can do what is best for the club, do exactly that. The Al Farraj brothers are open to discussion, get those discussions going in earnest, for the good of everyone! This club is too important to be the whim of one man's ego.

(Calm mode). Ok, rant over. Thanks to everyone who was there, great to meet you all if you're reading. Thanks to all at the club, especially Peter and Lucius, for going with this. Peter has said he is happy for these to be held every two months, and we'll also be meeting regularly with Johnny and Chris to see how the club and sites can work together.

All in all, a really promising start.

Pub For Bolton

The Pub

Ok I am going to hold back on my views of Pompey today, I am in a good mood so I will let you know what pub we will be going to before they Bolton the first one of the season.
Tomorrows pub will be The Lawrence Arms,Lawrence Road, Southsea

The Lawrence Arms has traded from this street corner location since Victorian times. Originally part of the Brickwoods Brewery, the pub ended up as part of Whitbread's massive estate when that company purchased the former. The pub received a major refurbishment in 1998, which sadly saw the loss of its seperate lounge bar.

However, it remains a pleasant community local, offering a comfortable bar room with a pool table and dartboard. The south-facing beer garden is a welcome addition in warmer weather and two well-kept real ales are served - thesegenrally beign Fullers (Gales) HSB and Brains SA (the only regular outlet for the latter beer in Portsmouth). The pub enjoys a good local following, as well as catering for passing trade. The pub is likely to be very busy when Portsmouth FC are playing home matches at Fratton Park.

Inside Pub

So mines a pint, Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prediction For Saturday

Well after a short break for the internationals Pompey have a home game this Saturday and I am going to Fratton for the first time this season to watch it, so we are going to win no problem hands down.

So with what is left of the old FA Cup winning team after the transfer window, the team will look a bit unreconcilable to me. David James made it through the window and I am glad about that, I just hope his mind is on the game and not elsewhere.

I will be announcing the pub for the game tomorrow and I will upload some pictures of Pompey's first win of the season to get us of the bottom of the league.

I will be making comment on the recent events at Portsmouth FC now the dust has settled a bit over the take over, so I will not hold back on Alexandra Gaydamak,Sulaiman Al Fahim,Peter Storrie and Paul Hart and some of the players who have left.

Roll on Saturday Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS my prediction for Saturday is Portsmouth 2-1 Bolton.

Just Come Back From The Dark Room

Is it safe to come out? Well the last few days have been quite interesting Al Fahim Asia Associates has bought the club, Sasha has gone and Storrie is angry that his consortium missed out. Pompey also won a game against Hereford United and bought and loaned a few more players, and then we lost to Manchester City just.
My highlight was the attack on Sasha by Peter Storrie that was quite interesting, will Al Fahim join up with Peter and his consortium I hope so!!!!
So one more day of the transfer window, are we going to get rid of the last few players left from the old regime and who will come in? Time to go back to the dark room again.

Ok Then

The announcement is back on the Official Site again, interesting.

The Plot Thickens

The Official P.F.C. web site has pulled the statement about the sale of the club to Al Fahim Asia Associates Ltd, the site did also change the personnel of the club to make Al Fahim the owner, and has now put it back to Sacha Gaydamak.

Pompeygary

New Owner At P.F.C.

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB STATEMENT


Devondale Investments, the current owner of Portsmouth FC, and Al Fahim Asia Associates Ltd. (AAA), a company fully owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim, chairman of the board of Portsmouth FC, have reached an agreement whereby AAA has become the new sole owner of the club.

Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed this agreement and looks forward to helping the club build on its impressive history and achieve new successes in the Premier League.

The chairman of the club would like to extend his gratitude to the players, staff and supporters of Portsmouth FC who have shown an extraordinary level of commitment and loyalty to this great club.

League Cup Time

So Pompey may get a chance to win a game tonight I hope, we play Hereford United and I think we may get the lowest attendance at Fratton Park for some years. Well I'm not going (No Money) and I know a few others aren't going either. I predict a 2-1 score to Pompey.

A bit about our opponents.

Hereford United Football Club was founded in 1924 with the merger of two local clubs St Martins and RAOC (Rotherwas), with the intention of sustaining a higher class of football in the city of Hereford. Hereford joined the Birmingham Combination and lost its first match 2-3 to Atherstone United. The club's second ever match was an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against future rivals Kidderminster Harriers which they lost 2-7.

Hereford progressed to the Birmingham & District League in 1928 where the club was to spend 11 seasons, during which they managed a best position of 4th. By the late 1930s the number of clubs in the league had decreased and Hereford successfully applied to join the Southern League. At the same time the club became a limited company but only played a few games in their new league before the outbreak of the Second World War.

When football resumed United finished 1st in their first full season in the league only to be demoted to 2nd behind Chelmsford City, who were awarded points for unplayed matches. In 27 seasons in the Southern League, Hereford finished as runners-up three times, and also lifted the Southern League Cup three times. When the league was regionalised for one season in 1958-59, Hereford also won their regional division to add to their third League Cup win.

In 1966 Hereford signed John Charles, the former Leeds United, Juventus and Welsh international, boosting the support of the club. He became manager a year later and set about building a team to challenge at the top of the Southern League and gain election to the Football League. With the club becoming one of the best-supported non-league outfits in the country Charles used his standing within the game to canvass votes from member clubs for election to the Football League.

The 1971-72 season was a watershed as it saw the club finish second in the Southern League and gain national prominence due to its exploits in the FA Cup. Charles had departed the club in October 1971 and his successor Colin Addison inherited a side that went on to defeat top-flight Newcastle United in the FA Cup of which the star player was Dudley Tyler. Ronnie Radford and Ricky George's famous goals earned the club a Fourth Round tie against West Ham United where they were defeated in a replay at Upton Park. The success of this Cup run played a part in the club's successful election to the Fourth Division at the expense of Barrow although Hereford were, at the time, more supported than most of the clubs in that division.

If I owned Pompey

As the owner of Portsmouth Football Club I have these plans. For this season we may not stay up so we will plan for relegation, but we will play to stay up and I will give finance for new players, that is for the short term, now for the Pompeygary plans for PFC.

1) Build a new stadium ( 25000 capacity to start with) out of town, with easy access of train, road and bus.

2) Build a training ground

3) Invest in youth

What I Am saying is we must now play the long game, and have a new stadium and so on, as at the moment except for the Premier League status we have nothing. If I had my way I would have a five year plan, the club has been top heavy with a good team in crap facilities, what we need is an average team to start with and very good facilities and then move on. It seems strange that Pompey are in the Prem league with League 1 facilities and Southampton are in League 1 with a top league Stadium and training ground who has the better future?

Pompeygary

4-1 To The Arsenal

So I got my prediction of the Arsenal score correct, it's just a pity I was. We were never going to win that's not being negative that's being practical, the hope is we get some players in before the end of the transfer window and that the club has a new owner very soon.

Pompeygary

Who Next ?

When Pompey have got out of this turmoil and it all settles down, who will the press pick on next? A few clubs out in the football world must be glad that we have been in trouble for so long, West Ham United comes to mind, don't get me wrong we are not the only club to be talked about, but when they talk about us it's with a sneer and a chuckle.
So Mr Press man pick on another team now you have lost me as a customer for life, I have grown up and raised above your little world you present to the masses.

Do I Write This One Off ?

I would like to think that against Arsenal today we could get something, but we wont, is that negative no it's just my head says we do not have a chance, I just hope we don't fall to a bad result, if we play at our best we will lose but not lose badly, if we play poorly we will be thrashed. I just hope that Arsenal used up most of their goals last time against Everton.
So do I write this game off and wait until the takeover happens (I hope) and we get some new players in, don't get me wrong I will support the team no matter who plays for them, I have supported this team when they were really shit.
Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pompeygary

Prediction Arsenal 4-1 Pompey ( I hope that's as bad as it gets)

We did not deserve to lose...

......but we did not deserve to win, my prediction of a 1-1- draw was wrong. I had the radio on I could not get a live stream but the Quay radio is fun so that did for me, it sounded like both teams were shit in the first half and in the second half it was not much better. I would of been happy with a draw but then David James decided to knock over a Brum player in extra time (Is Redknapp and Spurs on his mind?) so we lost a game we should not of won. Well we only have Arsenal away this Saturday no worries.

Pompeygary.

PFC STATEMENT

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB STATEMENT

A new consortium led by chief executive officer Peter Storrie is in negotiations with the owner of Portsmouth FC to buy the Premier League club.

The group is very positive about the talks and are confident that the deal can be completed.

Sulaiman Al Fahim may partner the new consortium through Al Fahim Asia Associates.

The necessary Premier League regulations and requirements regarding beneficial ownership will be complied with.

No further comment will be made by the club until any purchase is complete.

Something Very Important Is Happening Today

A game of bloody football that's what, good old Pompey will be on the way to Birmingham tonight for our first away game of the season, a little bit about Brum.


BIRMINGHAM CITY RECORDS

BlueslogoClub Founded
1875

Turned Professional
1885

Former Names
1875 - 88 Small Heath Alliance
1888 - 05 Small Heath
1905 - 45 Birmingham
1945 - Birmingham City Football Club

Club Nickname
The Blues

Previous Grounds
1875 - 1877 Arthur Street
1877 - 06 Muntz St, Small Heath
1906 - St. Andrew's

Ground Capacity
30,009

Pitch Measurements
100m x 66m

Record Attendance
66,844 v Everton, FA Cup 5th Round, 11th March 1939

Record Transfer Paid
£6.25m for Emile Heskey from Liverpool May 2004

Record Transfer Received
£6.5m from Liverpool for Jermaine Pennant, August 2006

League Scoring Record
Joe Bradford, 29, Division 1, 1927-28

So my prediction for the game is...... Brum 1-1 Pompey

Al Fahim insists Portsmouth takeover is on track - and ambassador Diego Maradona will get £100m to spend!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!!!!!

From The Mail On Line


Sulaiman Al Fahim insists he is not at fault for the delay in buying out Portsmouth.

The Arab businessman has responded defiantly to claims that the takeover was on the brink of collapse.

And just in case you doubted it - sensational claims in the Middle East have once again linked Diego Maradona with a move to Fratton Park that would see the Argentina legend handed a transfer bounty from a £100million windfall.
New Portsmouth chairman Sulaiman Al Fahim (right) alongside CEO Peter Storrie

White knight: New Portsmouth chairman Sulaiman Al Fahim (right) watches his club's opening-day defeat by Fulham alongside CEO Peter Storrie

Al Fahim has been installed as Pompey chairman and was at the opening day defeat by Fulham and has moved to reassure fans that his takeover was still on track.

His spokesman said: 'We signed the terms of agreement on July 20, which was agreed by both sides, and the Sales & Purchase Agreement (SPA) was sent from our side to the seller’s lawyers.

'We are waiting for them to move forward with this document. Even though there is a lot of media speculation about delays, Sulaiman Al Fahim is committed to completing this deal as per the terms of agreement that was signed more than three weeks ago.
Argentina legend Diego Maradona

Hola Diego: Argentina legend Maradona has again been linked with a role at Portsmouth

'There is no delay from our side, the current owner has the SPA which we are ready to sign.'

The website, which was once seen as being close to Al Fahim, reports than Al Fahim is set to claim a £100m bonus from 'land flipping' deals he made while chief executive of the Hydra Properties company in the Middle East.

And Arabian Business quotes 'a source' claiming Maradona's involvement was very much on the agenda. While his appointment would be a coup, the Argentina boss last month said he would not walk out on his country to take up the mooted director of football-type role.

Yet still the links persist and the source apparently said of the bonus: 'Any bonus will not be paid until December this year, so while it doesn’t impact on the funding for the takeover, it does open the door to bringing in a few signings in the January transfer window.

'There was talk last month of Maradona getting involved with the club on a global ambassador role, and this kind of cash would certainly help that and a few other player signings that are being considered.'

There were laughable claims last month that Maradona had assurances from Samuel Eto'o, Sergio Aguero, David Villa and David Silva that they would join him at the South Coast club.

Eto'o has since joined Inter Milan.


Pompeygary

It's Only Hours Away

Or is it? Well according to some media outlets Suliaimam Al Fahim's takeover will happen in the next 24 hours, but in others it says Peter Storrie is to head a consortium to by the club, and another says a Chinese consortium is on it's way, but I have also seen that all three are to get together to finish the deal!!!!?

I need to find a very dark room to hide in.

Pompeygary

My Latest Facebook Comment.

Message to Paul Hart 442 at home,442 at home,442 at home,442 at home! Play Up Pompey!

We lost But I Feel better.....

Even thou we lost I feel so much better that the season has started, and we are not at the bottom at the moment. When Pompeygary is not at the games we struggle ;-) Well we must get the take over sorted out next.
My prediction score of 2-1 to Pompey was well wrong, I am so glad I am not a betting man, maybe I should put a bet on Pompey going down.

Pompeygary "Play Up Pompey!

Second Half Comment Pompey v Fulham

No changes second half for Pompey. How high do we want the goal over the bar from Pompey Mullins I think? Fulham have picked up a bit and are getting a few corners, time for Pompey to be more ruthless. Piquionne is playing well but needs a goal, Utaka needs to buck his ideas up. 17510 at the game today, people voting with their feet and like me no money. So far bad times with the result good times with the play. Nearly conceded again from Johnson went wide ooops. Time running out for Pompey, 2-1 for Pompey I don't think so at the mo. We are winning with yellow cards! Kanu coming on that will speed things up a bit! I am now wishing for a point :-0. Well only forty points to go. 37 mins gone, and Utaka lost the ball idiot. Nugent on a bit late me thinks. Endeavour not enough from Pompey today. We are getting chances but.....no goals! Roll on Brum next week.

Full Time Pompey 0-1 Fulham

Pompeygary

First Half Comments Pompey V Fulham

It sounds like we are playing well, and then we concede a stupid goal off the backside Bobby Zamora. We are getting a few corners, and Mullins is getting up the field quite often. We are playing 4-5-1 at home again, still wishing for 2-1 to Pompey! A ball boy has just kicked to ball into play before it went out, Zamora gave it back to James fair play to him. I still think we need a win today, a draw might not be enough, but still a long way to go in the game and the league.
Sulaiman Al Fahim is at the game he was 15 minuets late, he is sitting next to Peter Storrie interesting. The ref sounds a bit rubbish for both sides.



Half Time Score Pompey 0-1Fulham

This will save me some time.

I was going to write a very ling bit about the take over of Portsmouth F.C., But I found this.

ALF wanted to buy us but
1)Backers pulled out
2) Has no money. All other reasons smoke screen.
Resigned from Hydra position to get payoff
3) Payoff will pay for Pompey
4) Money wont come til sept so cant take over til then
Sept always when he said he would take over club
Is he a front man like Man city?
5) Storrie and Hart sick of working on shoestring, getting slagged off etc.Also Sacha really fed up by now
6) Storrie reviving earlier interests in Pompey
7) Take over will probably come from someone else.
Anything I missed out ?

From poster "littleoldlady" from Fansonline.com

A bit about Fulham

A little bit about our first opponents to be destroyed this year.

Fulham is the oldest of London’s first class clubs and its long history began back in 1879 with some Sunday-school boys knocking a ball around on a long-forgotten park pitch. All a far cry from the multi-million pound internationals who make up the Premiership team of today.

Seventeen years later, when the first game was played at Craven Cottage, the symbiotic relationship between Club and ground was forged. More than almost any other club Fulham has become synonymous with its home, and the battle to stay there has been a dominant feature of Club affairs on numerous occasions during Fulham’s history.

Mohamed Al Fayed’s glorious tenure as Chairman of Fulham Football Club began in 1997 when Fulham were on the brink of obscurity. Racked with debt and residing at the foot of the English football league the Club required a saviour. Following his takeover of the Club, Al Fayed promised the fans a return to the top-flight of English football within five years and a remarkable turnaround in the Club’s fortunes commenced.

Al Fayed’s Fulham blazed a trail through the lower divisions and by 2001 the Whites secured their place amongst the elite, securing their place in the Premier League with a record-breaking points tally as Champions of Division 1.

Fulham’s success under Al Fayed’s stewardship has been mirrored by the development of the Club off the pitch. A stunning Training Ground in Surrey provides the team’s management and staff with state of the art facilities and The Chairman’s redevelopment of Craven Cottage has provided the fans with a home to be proud in an exquisite Thames side setting.

Despite his considerable business interests the Chairman retains a hands on approach to Fulham and demonstrated his intuitive decision making once again in January 2008, installing Roy Hodgson as Manager as Fulham teetered on the brink of relegation. The Whites went on to record a stunning run of results and secure their top flight future against the odds.

The Chairman’s commitment to Fulham Football Club remains as strong as ever and has been highlighted by the considerable investment he has made over the past ten years. It is impossible to say where the Club would be now without Mohamed Al Fayed, but it’s equally impossible to imagine that any alternative realistic scenario could have brought more joy and progress.

Pompeygary's prediction for Pompey v Fulham is

Pompey 2 Fulham 1

Play Up Pompey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We get Hereford

So we get Hereford in the league cup, a good draw me thinks that will give some of the youth players a run out, we need to save our (what's left of it) first team for the league.

Anthony Vanden Borre And Kanu

Pompey have got Anthony Vanden Borre on loan from Serie A side Genoa. Blues boss Paul Hart said: “He’s a young Belgian international who’s threatened to do so much for quite a while – now’s the time for him to come up with the goods, but he will be will be unavailable for Saturday’s opener against Fulham after the Italian FA failed to process his international clearance on time.

And the speedy and youthful Kanu has also signd a new contract, but only for a month!!!!?

Wait And See

This is a run-down of the Pompey forum from BBC Radio Solent, I got this from an E-mail from a PFCAB member Jim Newman.

Sounds like this made for interesting listening tonight, with Storrie giving the impression that he didn't think the takeover would go ahead, but not seeming too concerned if that was to be the case.

This summary of proceedings is copied from the Vital Pompey website.

Radio Solent Forum - the full Storrie

Well the Toast team took a very welcome new member to the Radio Solent forum at Fratton Park tonight in Gandor who made copious notes and has prepared this in depth article.

The forum was graced with the appearance of Chief Executive, Peter Storrie and Manager, Paul Hart along with most importantly over 300 fans. The mood was definitely mixed with many fans being positive about the coming season and some being full of doom and gloom.

What went on

A very pensive Paul Hart, a chirpy Peter Storrie and Lawrence Herdman (of BBC Radio Solent) presided over what was a very civilised and well behaved meeting - all things considered. Herdman welcomed the 300 supporters present and addressed a brief summary of the position we find ourselves in to Peter Storrie. Peter said things had been tough with no finance for 9 months and that it was important to ensure the club survived. He said he had signed a player today and was hopefully finalising another two on Monday with more later in the week. Paul Hart said we had a massive challenge in front of us, but we still possessed players capable of playing in the prem who could cause all sorts of problems on the pitch.

The questions were then thrown open to the floor, and Pompey mascot Cyril asked Paul Hart, who is going replace Brian Kidd? Hart said he was disappointed that Kidd had decided to go home to Manchester. He then said that there were many more people responsible for last season`s relegation escape and mentioned Woan and Guy Whittingham amongst others. He would not be drawn into making a quick decision, but had one or two ideas. Storrie then interrupted by saying he had spoken on the phone to Brian Kidd today and that there was still a possibility that he would rejoin us.

Herdman asked Storrie if he regretted the e Mail he sent to a fan. Storrie said no he didn`t, and talked transparency and honesty and how he likes to tell the fans everything. He said there were a lot of things ticking along at the moment, and that we were to wait and see. (He said this on at least three occasions throughout the meeting).

When Herdman told everyone that Dr SAF would be in his Box for the game on Saturday, a member of the audience said it was no good his being at the game, we would rather he stumped up the money. Storrie absolutely agreed and said that when Sacha had bought PFC, it had taken 6 weeks and that he had given money to buy players before the deal was done to help us buy players in the January window. He also knew nothing of Dr SAF attending the Fulham game!!

Herdman asked we were in our current position. Storrie said it was because of the small gate which could not sustain the huge wage bill. He said he had warned Sacha several times re overspending, but Sacha went over his head, giving Harry everything he asked for. He said Sacha had been a brilliant owner but his stocks and shares were affected by the credit crunch. He said we had sold all the players we needed to for economic reasons and now, any players now being sold would be for tactical reasons.

Graham from Copnor asked why ticket prices had not gone down in line with the wage bill? Storrie said that some ticket prices had come down but could not do more as we needed to buy players. He said a big problem was the allocation of 2,000 tickets for away fans, which were rarely taken up.

Pete from Gosport asked why, if Dr SAF was listening via radio, could a Conference call have not been set up, so that we could hear what he had to say. Storrie pounced and said the time for talking was passed. He went on to say that Sacha and Dr SAF were now talking and that he knew absolutely nothing. Herdman then asked Storrie if he thought the takeover would go ahead and he said No.

When asked why the deal to Spurs took place at £9m when we were offered £12m by Sunderland, Storrie said this was down to Peter Crouch wanting to go to Tottenham and no where else. He said he would be glad if he never had to deal with Tottenham again. They had only offered £6m for Crouch and Storrie talked it up to £9m on the last day of the negotiations. He also said he would be quite happy never to deal with Spurs again!

When asked if Sylvain Distin would be staying and if he would be Captain, Hart said yes to both. Storrie said he had had a lot of interest in Distin, including an offer this morning which was refused. Storrie said he had outlined who was for sale and who was not, but the powers above could sell anyone they wanted to.

Eric from Bishops Waltham asked what progress was being made on the Training Ground. Storrie said everything was in place to commence work once funds were in place.

Hart was asked about the fact that the Bookies had us marked down for relegation. He said the team were in high spirits and had a strong desire to win. He said they were training very hard and that we were bringing some good players in before the end of the transfer market.

When Storrie was asked if Officials were in France trying to secure Didane, he said No Comment and then smiled. He also admitted to travelling abroad next Monday to try and conclude a deal. He said the club were trying to sign players on a 'try before you buy basis`.

When asked why Gabara (Dr SAF`s man) appeared to be speaking for both Dr SAF and Sacha, Storrie said that Gabara definitely did not speak for Sacha, and there had been no comments from Sacha.

When the audience were asked if they would trade the past for stability now, about 40 percent said yes they would.

Storrie said that once we had a 32,000 gate he would try to encourage youngsters to come to the football and become fans for life, by giving them £1.00 tickets. When asked if he had a message for the players he said, watch this space - things will change soon. We need the fans support, we are a partnership. When asked if there were contingency plans in place should the deal not go through, he said no comment.

When asked about the new stadium he said, the most important thing is to get FP to a 32,000 stadium and then think about the new stadium.

In conclusion

There is no doubt that Peter Storrie is as fed up with it all as much as we the fans BUT he knows something which he cannot tell. When asked if the club could survive without the Dr SAF bid going through he simply smiled and 'Wait and see`

Is there another buyer in the wings? He obviously cannot tell but he knows something.

Once again many thanks to Gandor for her scribbling and the typing of most of this article. If you see her buy her a drink!!

PUP

Peter Storrie The Radio Star

Peter Storrie will be on 107.4 The Quay tonight between 6-7. I for one will be listening to that one, and on the next evening he will be on BBC Radio Solent for the fans forum between7-8. I think he should take his tin hat.

So the Football Hours are back on the Quay and they will be doing the live matches, in my mind very good news.

Pompeygary

Sulaiman Al Fahim will be at Fulham Game. I wont be!

So for the first season in a long time I have not got a season ticket money is the problem,(NOT SO FOR OUR WELL PAID PLAYERS, BUT DON'T START ME ON THAT) the club wanted me to pay it all in in five mouths or all at once, I could of afforded it over ten but they stopped that so they will not get all my money this year.So I am A BLUE ARMY member so I will be going to some games and helpfully one or two away. Any half season tickets this year?

The Portsmouth News reports.

Sulaiman Al Fahim has vowed to be at Fratton Park on Saturday to show his intent of pushing through his long-awaited takeover Pompey.The property tycoon has pledged to join fans in cheering on their favourites in the Premier League opener against Fulham.

Al Fahim will be attending in his role as chairman and sitting in the directors' box alongside Peter Storrie.

His anticipated presence is the biggest indication yet of his unstinting determination to buy the club from Sacha Gaydamak.

The takeover has been a long-running saga, dogged by rumours of imminent collapse.

Should that unthinkable scenario occur, it would seriously threaten to plunge the club into administration.

Yet Al Fahim's people still insist everything remains on track.

However, The News understands any deal is unlikely to be completed this week.

Regardless, the prospective owner will be in attendance on Saturday in what he hopes will be seen as a massive statement of intent.

Spokesman Ivo Ilic Gabara said: 'Sulaiman wants to go to Portsmouth's match and see them win against Fulham.

'His presence is only natural. He is very interested in the team and how they play but – more importantly – wants to show the fans the importance of the club to him and his commitment to taking it over.

'He's visited the club before and met the supporters – now he wants to watch the team in action.

'Sulaiman is very much looking forward to it. He is a big football fan and he wants to see Portsmouth do well. He desperately wants to take over the club and is also interested in its future. It is very important to him.

'Once the deal is sorted he wants to regularly attend the matches. He wants to go to every other game, that is what he is telling me and I am sure he will.

'This is a statement of the commitment he has and I hope everyone will see that.'

Al Fahim has already completed due diligence – the evaluation of the club – and passed the Premier League's fit-and-proper-person's test.

Yet it has been two-and-a-half months since news of his Pompey intent became public – and still the deal has not been completed.

One report last weekend said existing owner Sacha Gaydamak had imposed a seven-day deadline for Al Fahim to finalise the deal.

The claims have been denied by both Gabara and Pompey's chief executive Peter Storrie.

And Gabara reiterated Al Fahim's desire to succeed.

He added: 'Sulaiman really wants to come and make a difference and help the club.

'That has never changed and he is determined that will happen. Everything remains on track.'


So it's the same mantra from the good Dr, Pompeygary is still waiting.

The F.A. and it's position on the take over.

A statement from the F.A. sent to MYPOMPEY.COM

We wrote to the League and explained the plight of the fans and asked them to comment on the situation with Al Fahim and the takeover. Their response follows.


Premier League Statement. 1:14 p.m. August 10th

All we have had thus far from PFC/Al Fahim is the Fit and Proper Persons Test declaration, after which we made the statement you refer to. It's a very specific test relating to the individual only and not to any other aspects of the proposed purchase.

When PFC and Mr Al Fahim are ready to progress the proposed purchase clearly we will require further information - including the provenance of the money financing the deal, whether there are any other investors (anyone with a 10% a more stake would have to publicly declare, anyone with 30% or more would be subject to the FAPPT as would any proposed directors or shadow directors) - however we are awaiting developments and will act accordingly, as and when something moves, to ensure that our Rule Book is applied.

I hope this gives you some clarity regarding our position.

Make of that what you will.

Pompeygary

An Interesting blog

This is a blog I have been reading for a while, it's quite close to the truth, but with an anti Al Fahim slant, but most of what is said is not far from the truth, but thankfully far enough to be wrong sometimes but it is a good read.

http://dralfahim.blogspot.com/


Pompeygary

Another Day

So on Saturday I went along to watch Pompey play Glasgow Rangers, I had it in my mind that we would struggle with this lot even if it was not a full Rangers team, but I was surprised how well we played, we looked like a team well balanced and played well. We may not have a team full of stars any more but I have always said "WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A TEAM OF STARS WHO DON'T PLAY AS A TEAM, OR A TEAM OF NOBODY'S WHO DO?" So I was pleased with the way we played more than the result and we won 2-0, Frederic Piquionne was a breath of fresh air the loan signing seemed to do everything Peter Crouch didn't, but we will have to wait and see in the next few games. One funny thing did happen at the game a Pompey fan in the North Stand refused to give the ball straight back and got some abuse from the Rangers support, and he lifted up his t-shirt and flashed his belly with an applause from the Rangers fans, but the boys in blue took a different view and carted him out of the ground, and then the Rangers fans started to sing "Bring back fatty" very funny, I just wish the Police would back off and let us have some fun, we need it at the moment, if someone complained the fair enough but the Police took it in there own hands to spoil the fun.
So on the way home on the radio it was announced the the deal was about to collapse bad times ahead? whispers from Fratton Park about a seven day deadline for the deal to go through, this has been denied by the both sides,so this week should be interesting.

Play Up Pompey

Statement Pulled From Official Site

Portsmouth FC have taken down the Statement on the website, it is in my post below, I have no idea why? things are looking a bit grim at the moment. The story in the Mirror basically said thet Alexandre Gaydamak has given The Dr seven days to do the deal, so PFC put a statement to rebuff what the paper had said, now it has gone, read into that what you want.

I am growing sick and tired of this, all I want to do is support Pompey whatever division they are in, or what team they put out. But I don't think this should go on much longer, you can't just ignore what's going on at this moment it's part of what a fan is all about, you can't just support the team blind it's part of your life, your culture and it hurts when this sort of thing is going on. So I hope they get it sorted one way or the other very soon. We need to move on from this.

Pompeygary

Look Another PFC Statement

PORTSMOUTH FOOTBALL CLUB STATEMENT

In response to recent unsubstantiated media coverage, the chairman of the board of Portsmouth FC, Sulaiman Al Fahim, and Alexandre Gaydamak, member of the board of Portsmouth FC, would like to reaffirm that they both remain committed to completing the agreed transaction intended to change the ownership of Portsmouth FC as soon as possible, as provided by the Terms Sheet signed in July.

With regard to the timing of the transaction, Sulaiman Al Fahim and Alexandre Gaydamak stress that following the timely completion of the due diligence process, the approval issued by the Premier League under its 'Fit and Proper Person' test and the signing of the Terms Sheet, the transaction is now in its final stages and the final talks are proceeding on a cordial basis.

All parties involved are exercising every effort to complete the sale as soon as possible in the best interest of the club and its supporters, who are showing an extraordinary level of loyalty to this great club.

The Deal Is Off, No It's On, No It's Off, No It's On.........

Bloody hell after playing very well against Rangers today, I heard the news that the deal was off on the radio. Then on Sky Sports News later they said that the deal was still on!!!!!?
Time for a lay down in a dark room.

Pompeygary

Peter Storrie Talks To The News

POMPEY'S chief executive says the club's takeover bid now rests firmly in the hands of Sulaiman Al Fahim and current owner Sacha Gaydamak.
In an exclusive interview with The News, Peter Storrie said he had no idea when the deal would happen.
But he called on fans to remain positive and to support the club through these difficult times.
Storrie said: 'I don't know when the deal will be complete. It's still in negotiations between the two parties. My understanding is it's moving closer and closer to an agreement but it's outside my control.
'My job is to still run this club on a day-to-day basis and make sure I keep this club alive in time for someone to take it over, and that has been my number one priority.
'My role was purely bringing someone to the table. Then it goes between Sacha's trust and Al Fahim.'
Dubai property tycoon Al Fahim has completed due diligence – the evaluation of the club – and has passed the Premier League's fit and proper person test.
But more than two months since beginning the takeover process it is believed the deal has stalled while Gaydamak and Al Fahim thrash out negotiations about the club's £27m debts.
Storrie said he met Al Fahim in Portsmouth on Tuesday and will be meeting with him today to find out how close the club is to securing a new owner.
However, he conceded the process had taken far longer than originally anticipated. 'Due diligence is over. That's all done. It's just how long this final point takes,' he said.
'I just cannot tell you whether that's going to be a day, a week or a month. I genuinely don't know.
'It's a longer process than I thought it was going to be, than everybody thought it was going to be, and there are obviously mechanisms and reasons behind that purely between the parties.
'I can understand the supporters and am fully behind their frustrations at the moment. Every one of them will turn round and say the most important thing is we survive.
'What I say to fans now is, as much as we possibly can we will keep them updated but they have to understand there's not much to say and some things are confidential. While understanding their complete frustration we need their support as well. We need them to get behind us.'
Storrie also praised Gaydamak in the wake of criticism he has received from some fans. 'Sacha has been fantastic for this club. He has invested such a lot of money, time and effort and finance. Most of the debts, apart from bank loans, are Sacha's and money he has put into the club,' he said.
'Through no fault of his own the credit crunch hit him badly, as it did a lot of business people nine months ago. He was then unfortunately in a position where he couldn't put any finance into the club and felt it was right to put the club up for sale.'
With no financial backing since Gaydamak's decision to sell nine months ago, Storrie said star players such as Lassana Diarra, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch had to be sold to make sure 'we are in a position to keep on going'.
The club haven't replaced staff who have left and have trimmed their running costs, such as company cars. But he denied Pompey were on the verge of going under.
He said: 'A lot of people have mentioned us being close to administration but we have never done that. We tried to keep away from that as far as we can.'
Storrie said the club's main revenue had been coming from the 20,000 fans packing into Fratton Park. And he said the latest Sky TV cash would go on repaying the club's debts.
'I've never gone through a period like this,' he added.
'At times it has been very, very difficult. At times it's been hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
'There's a lot fans can do for us, coming to games, filling the stadium every week. We understand their frustrations but we also need their support



Peter Storrie said keeping the club going over the past nine months had been the toughest time of his life.
And he lashed out at some critics who have accused him of lying to supporters.

Storrie insisted that he always told the truth but said that sometimes he had to keep silent to honour confidentiality agreements.

He said: 'I've got frustrated perADVERTISEMENTsonally about the position. It's been the toughest nine months of my life and I felt I've taken a lot of this on board myself and I've taken the criticism. People can call me what they like – I don't mind, as long as they can prove I am what they accuse me of.

'The things that irritate more than anything is these websites that keep saying I have lied to them.

'I have never done that, I have absolutely never done that at all.

'There's a big difference between lying and trying to get finance for something like stadiums.'

Storrie said that he chose to talk to The News so that he could share fans' frustration at the slow progress of the takeover deal.

'The reason I felt I needed to say something is that everybody is as frustrated as everybody else. We all want this deal to happen. We all want something to go on so that we can take the club forward.

'I've always been open with supporters, I've always attended meetings, I have always answered questions. I just made a decision that I felt it was right to give them the factual answers.'




Pompey fans have welcomed Peter Storrie's insight into life behind the scenes at Fratton Park.
But concerns still remain over the club's future.
Nigel Tressider, the chairman of the official Portsmouth Supporters' Club, said: 'I think fans will be pleased that Storrie has come out and talked about something, because the problem for fans atA the moment is that we don't know what's going on.

'Storrie saying he doesn't know when the new man will come in is a bit worrying though, because if he doesn't know then who does?'

Season ticket-holder John Kimbell, 34, of Godalming, said: 'I think Storrie is right to come out and talk to fans but perhaps he should have done this three or four weeks ago when they appointed Al Fahim as chairman.

'I think a lot of fans thought then that was it and it was a done deal when clearly it wasn't.

'We should have been told it could take a long time. That's what has frustrated fans.

'We feel a bit taken for granted with the lack of communication that's been coming out of the club.'

Chris Gibbs, 50, of Westfield Street, Southsea, said: 'He had to come out and say something really, didn't he? I've just come back from watching the lads out in Portugal and there were a lot of fans out there who wanted answers.

'If he doesn't know when the deal will be done then he's right to come out and say that if that's all he can say at this stage. I just hope this is all sorted soon.'