Gemmel

Welcome. Completely agree with everything you say, however frustrating it might me.

No he didn't think he had one - He would have a copy of his own contract. That's not what the hissy fit was about. He believed he had a gentleman's agreement.

Yes, Ultimately Les is to blame. I blame him for back to back promotions, winning the JPT, 7 consecutive seasons finishing higher than the previous year, European football, fleecing every team that ones to buy one of our players and identifying and hiring two of the best managers this club has ever had. So of course he is to blame, just let me know what petition to sign, what protest to join, whatever it takes to get the sh!tester out of our club.

Good thread. We shouldn't discount others who perhaps aren't the household names as the others... and better things for them, were perhaps dropping down a level or two, but then getting regular football and making a career out of football, that they probably wouldn't have done at Saints. For going from a squad player, to a regular and then all that has happened for him since (That wouldn't have if had stayed at Saints) Gary Monk

There's always loads of rumors and Chinese whispers, but if you look at what we know as fact, the picture can become a little clearer. In the first year back in the Premier League. Cortese took a loan out against future ticket & season tickets sales. Given that comes to around 12million, we can probably guess that the loan wasn't much bigger than that. The second year he took a larger loan out based on all income including television rights and there was a charge against every asset, fixture, fitting, player, stadium, training ground, houses etc. etc. The signatories on the loans, was Gareth Rodgers and I think from memory (I could be wrong) Cortese as well (These documents are available from Companies house for two pounds each). Both Charges have now been settled, so there is no debt outside of the Directors loans from Katrina, which I think the last set of accounts showed as 60 million ( Someone on here will have the exact figure) So since the family took over (And including the initial purchase price) as of the last set of accounts, it looks like we are 60 million down. Given that includes around 40 million on the training ground. That is pretty incredible. Additionally what will be interesting is to see how much of the 60 million has now been paid off from the players sales (Which I think will include, Lallana, Lovern etc) when the next set of accounts is released. But...... with the new TV money (And I could be way off here) and potential player sales of Wayanama and possibly Mane, there could be a completely clean balance sheet and all debts settled. That would simply be incredible, from the standing start of minus ten points in league one, to a top Premier league club, playing in Europe. I couldn't even guess at the value of the squad let alone what the whole club is worth now, but as an asset it must be one of, if not the biggest in Katrina's portfolio. The club will absolutely have to be self funding and probably has for the last couple of years, so that shouldn't bother people, but at that point in which debts are settled, I don't think you will see Katrina repeating loans and investments to tune of what she has done historically. Additionally worth noting that Cortese is on record as sneering and laughing at the clubs who took the types of loans that he did. in fact he even said he would never do it..... but he did in very first year back in the prem.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-36489751# Brilliant story and great clip - Is my mind playing tricks on me or was he a Saint when this was recorded.

How ever much people don't like sound bites, the reality is we have...... We have marched on for six seasons in a row. I am sure there are other comparisons, but our rise up the leagues, our year on year positioning, must be one of the best in modern day football. I get it's all a bit cheesy and not for everyone, but the given all the ****, all the constant negative press coverage, all the experts and all the journalists, that told the World we were doomed, that have been forced to eat their hats and their words ..... I quite like it and happy to keep with it :) #Wemarchon

Love it

Don't be soft .... he's not for sale, he's not for sale, he's not for sale.......SOLD

Not sure I understand your point.

One club came in for one of our best players under Cortsese........ do you need me to finish off the sentence?

Dear Ronald http://www.msubillings.edu/BusinessFaculty/larsen/MGMT353/Man%20in%20the%20Glass.pdf Love Nigel

I'd prefer a Guan smiley face.... but completely agree

Some taxi driver picked up big Ron from goodison

Cheers for coming on here with a decent post - Not all have ben the same. Personally speaking you are welcome on here and always good to get the other side. From a Saints perspective, this one rankles harder than any that have gone before, which is probably why you have had some of the response's you have. No one on here would argue who is the bigger club - we get that, but that's not the bit that is upsetting everyone. Word of caution though, a 49% shareholder coming in like he has ....... history suggests wont last long. Absolutely gutted if this all turns out to be true, but appreciate you posting.

All good this end mate.... and ditto, will be gutted if he goes.

Lungs,..... be careful, you made yourself look like a complete di ck in previous seasons and the people you slate have delivered record breaking back to back seasons. Just saying ..... Hope you are well.

Tony Husband ‏@TonyHusbandBBC · 1m1 minute ago Been in the room when Koeman has reiterated he goes nowhere before end of contract, don't see it changing #saintsfc

Or..... he would earn an extra 3 million a year

A link simply doesn't do it justice. Given what was posted on here and ruffmania, whilst lumpitt and the blue few creamed their pants. Lampitt still works in football and even had the nerve to claim back money under the footballing debt rule. When the married cousins come on here, remind them of this. Hysterical. Convers Sports Initiatives, controlled by London-based Russian businessman Vladimir Antonov, have completed their takeover of Portsmouth. They purchased the Championship club from Sports Holdings (Asia) Ltd after "several months of negotiations". Portsmouth chief executive David Lampitt said: "I am pleased to welcome the club's new owners and very much look forward to working with them. "In CSI, I believe we have found owners who will take the long-term view." CSI owners Antonov, Roman Dubov and former Leeds United chief executive Chris Akers have passed the Football League's fit and proper persons' test. They already own a growing list of sports teams, franchises and rights, with current interests including the World Rally Championship, PowerPlay Golf, Spartak Moscow ice hockey team, Ferrari Team Russia and the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race. Balram Chainrai Chainrai was appointed as chairman in October 2010 " We have taken this club during the worst times and brought it to safe grounds from near extinction Balram Chainrai, Levi Kushnir and Deepak Chainrai Outgoing Portsmouth owners Antonov, 36, said: "We have conducted extensive due diligence and held detailed negotiations with a number of clubs in the English Premier League, Championship, League One and Scottish Premier League over the past 12 months. "We ultimately selected Portsmouth because of its history, loyal fan base and its potential to return to the Premier League. "The supporters are amongst the most passionate in the game and that gives the business a strong foundation to build on. "We look forward to working with all those connected with Portsmouth including the management, players, employees and sponsors, as well as developing close ties with the city of Portsmouth and the community." CSI were behind a failed bid for Bournemouth last summer, but have been successful on this occasion in securing the sale of Portsmouth from Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai, director of Sports Holdings (Asia) Ltd. Chainrai first took over at Fratton Park in February 2010, placing Portsmouth in administration after initially investing £17m in the club, and "reluctantly" assuming control when previous owner Ali Al Faraj defaulted on loan payments due to him.

It just means someone has lumped a load of money on it

Koeman holds all the aces, in terms of negotiating, but whilst I would love him to extend his contract, I can't see it happening. The player sales of the last couple of years have helped claw back most (From my fag packet maths) of the money that Cortese borrowed, plus the expensive failures in Osvaldo & Ramierz.. Ralph has spoken a number of times that the club will need to be financially self sufficient, so I just can't see a huge war chest being offered up by Katrina. The significant investment to date (That we should be very grateful for) has taken this club to 6th in the Premier league and the value of the club will have risen massively. Additional investment now, would simply be a roll of the dice, that Leicester and even ourselves to a point, have proved isn't necessary and comes with no guarantee of success - See Man Utd & Chelsea. Koeman has been / is very good for Saints, but we should also remember that Saints have been very goof for Koeman. His stock is high and he is probably right on the verge now of getting a "Big" club and almost certainly a shoe in, when the National job becomes available. I hope I am wrong, but my money is on this being his last season (As in the season coming up), the board may even force his hand if fails to commit.

Wow-Is that for real? That is hysterical http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/pompey-s-pain-will-forever-remain-but-this-city-will-never-quit-1-7384392