Survival fight set to ‘go down to the wire’ for Pompey (From Romsey Advertiser)
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Survival fight set to ‘go down to the wire’ for Portsmouth
12:20pm Friday 11th May 2012 in Sport
Fratton Park
PORTSMOUTH’S fight for survival will go to the wire, but a takeover by fans is feasible, the club’s administrator said yesterday.
However, Trevor Birch, head of PKF insolvency practice, warned that liquidation remained a real threat.
A takeover by a Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust (PST) share scheme may be possible if two or three “high net worth” individuals or the city council back the plan, Birch said.
The Trust could also mount a rescue bid if Pompey do go into liquidation and form a new club playing lower down the league pyramid.
Former owner Balram Chainrai may also contemplate another takeover to try to recoup the £17million he is owed, while two other interested parties – one English, one from overseas - have yet to provide any proof of funds.
“I think it is going to go to the wire, it’s going to be the 11th hour,” said Birch.
“The Football League’s AGM is at the end of the month and we have to be talking in some sort of positive terms to move beyond that.”
PST chairman Ashley Brown said he is hopeful that a combination of individual fans pledging £1,000 each for shares, plus some high-earning supporters taking out considerable stakes, could lead to a credible bid.
Letters will go out to all season ticket holders this week, while a database of 100,000 fans obtained by the club is being used to try to get more support.
Brown is targeting 1,000 fans each pledging £1,000 and so far nearly 400 have come forward.
He said: “We are very positive about the response and we are also looking at other funding streams, such as other Pompey fans who can afford significantly more than £1,000, and different ways in which they can invest.”
If the worst should happen and Pompey go into liquidation, the Trust would still hope to rescue the club.
Brown said: “If the administrator is forced to move to liquidation we would still hope to be in a position to rescue the club from the liquidators and start a new Portsmouth Football Club, hopefully still at Fratton Park, but playing lower down the league tier initially.
“We hope to offer a safety net if all else fails.”
Comments(26)
Costa Baz
says...
12:34pm Fri 11 May 12
The self acclaimed "best fans in the world" won't be able to buy much with that.
And if Chainrai is allowed to take over again, then clearly the FL lacks integrity. He doesn't want it and will unload it asap onto the first person to offer him near what he wants, irrespective of where their funding is coming from.
The club is dead. Bury the corpse and move on.
Brusher Mills
says...
12:35pm Fri 11 May 12
insane saint
says...
12:42pm Fri 11 May 12
St Retford
says...
12:43pm Fri 11 May 12
insane saint
says...
1:02pm Fri 11 May 12
" let them die,let them die,let them die,let them die,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die."
do they deserve to survive as a club, aswell as they can not get a buyer. the fans will not pledge to save their club.and we can not ignor that they have ripped off the charities again.
let them die. and please die in peace.
RIP the blue few.
no more sympothy
bigfella777
says...
1:25pm Fri 11 May 12
Saints down under
says...
1:33pm Fri 11 May 12
I here waterloovile are looking for sh1t players and supporters.
COYR
costa gaz
says...
1:46pm Fri 11 May 12
Money collected for about 4 different charities was used by the club to pay more important stuff ????
They were slaughtered for doing this the last time and they go and repeat.....!!!!
Fair play to the fratton unfaithful who dug deep and paid most of it back, will they do it again ?
NORTHAM ROARS
says...
3:49pm Fri 11 May 12
WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE - you are nearly non league! 2 weeks or so to go!!
1 TEAM in HAMPSHIRE ( 2 if you include Aldershot)lOL
NORTHAM ROARS
says...
3:53pm Fri 11 May 12
NORTHAM ROARS
says...
3:59pm Fri 11 May 12
WILL THEY BE AS "correct" with the Chanarai debarcle and allow him back- It would be a joke - it would be a complete travesty. Interesting few weeks ahead...
Lone Ranger.
says...
4:46pm Fri 11 May 12
NORTHAM ROARS wrote:AS i understand it the FL disciplinary panel do not meet until all games are finished.
Football League by rights should have docked Pompey more than 10 points - this is th e third time Pompey have been in ADMIN! However they were worried the club would fold before end of season ( hence they got other payments early..) it would have messed up the league etc...
WILL THEY BE AS "correct" with the Chanarai debarcle and allow him back- It would be a joke - it would be a complete travesty. Interesting few weeks ahead...
.
It is then possible that PFC, if still about, could start next season on minus points.
.
batesieboy
says...
6:34pm Fri 11 May 12
Brusher Mills wrote:What is up with you? I love that picture !! Every time I see it I pi$$ myself laughing.
Any excuse to get the old picture out.
Little Hitler
says...
7:36pm Fri 11 May 12
Herrytookudown
says...
10:44pm Fri 11 May 12
Herrytookudown
says...
10:54pm Fri 11 May 12
mack chinnon
says...
11:04pm Fri 11 May 12
Herrytookudown wrote:Its Harry.
NORTHAM ROARS. You have a ground you bought with money you didnt have! We achieved a lot with the money the owner let us spend - NOW LETS SEE WHAT YOU LOT WILL DO ha,ha,ha, F all like last time.
rob the saint in NZ
says...
12:28am Sat 12 May 12
Herrytookudown wrote:We have no debt, moron.
NORTHAM ROARS. You have a ground you bought with money you didnt have! We achieved a lot with the money the owner let us spend - NOW LETS SEE WHAT YOU LOT WILL DO ha,ha,ha, F all like last time.
You spent money you didn't have, didn't pay tax & ripped off charities.
No wonder you are equally hated & laughed at around the footballing world.
You are despised, & living in a deluded world.
Liquidation is looming - tick, tock!
Meanwhile, back in the real world we are Premier League & having a laugh - it's great being a Saints fan!!!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
12:41am Sat 12 May 12
RedArmy1
says...
6:53am Sat 12 May 12
insane saint wrote:START THE LIQUIDIZER ASAP...
all together now
" let them die,let them die,let them die,let them die,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die ,let them die."
do they deserve to survive as a club, aswell as they can not get a buyer. the fans will not pledge to save their club.and we can not ignor that they have ripped off the charities again.
let them die. and please die in peace.
RIP the blue few.
no more sympothy
the Wessex League and sharing a ground with havant and waterlooville awaits !!!
No-one in the footballing community wants pompey in league one with all their debt and points reductions ....
WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.
RED ARMY. WE RULE THE SOUTH.
p.s f*ck the skunts
Costa Baz
says...
1:19pm Sat 12 May 12
Herrytookudown wrote:Would you be one of the typical skates, posting on other sites, that think a newly formed Poopey FC should be allowed to keep the good bits from your history, whilst airbrushing out the bad bits?
If the above response by Saints fans is typical, I for one will cheer every one of the many gols scored against you in the prem - and I know I will have a lot to cheer about. You achieved F ALL in the prem before and will achieve F ALL THIS TIME.
You are a typical skate insomuch as you think our 27 year stay in the top flight amounted to F all.
Staying there for that long, whilst playing in such a small ground, generating such little money is greater than anything your team has managed in the last 70 years.
Everything your club has achieved, over the last decade, is flawed by your various owners' complete disregard to honesty, and the fans readiness to accept the FA Cup you won, with players paid for by various creditors including the tax payers.
I hope you club is wiped out and spends decades in the southern leagues, well away from the professional game, because it is not worthy.
Spudsaint
says...
2:52pm Sat 12 May 12
Herrytookudown wrote:Its typical and correct. RIP.
If the above response by Saints fans is typical, I for one will cheer every one of the many gols scored against you in the prem - and I know I will have a lot to cheer about. You achieved F ALL in the prem before and will achieve F ALL THIS TIME.
Spudsaint
says...
3:10pm Sat 12 May 12
Sir Ad E Noid wrote:Perhaps she's got a grand in that basket?
On no !! Not her again. Can somebody take the battery out.
Herrytookudown
says...
11:08pm Sat 12 May 12
rob the saint in NZ
says...
11:10pm Sun 13 May 12
Herrytookudown wrote:Yawn.
Spudsaint - Yes we accept the FA Cup just like you accept the ground you could not afford - and who paid all your debts when you had no money. So off you go to become the joke side of the prem with your sterile fans and half empty ground at half time. PUP
Jealousy will get you nowhere, just like that big chip on your shoulder.
Poopee 'til July - tick tock!!!!
TheJoiners says...
12:27pm Fri 11 May 12