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.