kwsaint

Managed to get through on the 01271 335708 number after 5 or 6 tries. Thanks to whoever posted it as it saved a lot of hassle. Kids are delighted to be going to Wembley for the day. I know the ticket office comes in for some stick, but the lad I spoke to was very polite, although clearly seriously stressed out.

Portsmouth told to find £22 million before the end of the season From this morning's Guardian. I can't see how they can survive liquidation, unless they find someone daft enough to bail them out. I see that there are already plans for an AFC Portsmouth playing in Conference South next season.

Just got tickets for Pompey and Leeds games. Ticket office told me that they had around 2000 left, and that it would be a sell out by some time on Monday. They also appear to be taking quite a strict line on the customer database. Would have been simpler to keep the membership scheme but just charge a nominal amount for it.

You're right, it doesn't matter, although I have a Maths degree so do have a vague idea how loans work. When Rupert left the first time, he said that the club had no overdraft, just the stadium mortgage. At some point this loan has been rescheduled, either to incorporate other debts, to increase the term or to go to interest only. The rescheduling enabled further borrowing at the bank, increased the overall debt and supported the play-off gamble of two years ago. When this failed, the club was financially stricken. The point that I was trying to make was that it was failure to live within our means that was the problem, not SMS, as the extra revenue should have paid for it.

At the risk of reopening an old thread, why do I keep reading on websites on Pompey's problems that SMS was the cause of Saints financial woes. The stadium cost £32 million, and the club received £5 million from the sale of the Dell site. SMS was funded on a 10 year loan, fixed at 8%. So why was the debt on the stadium around £25 million after 8 years? At some point the loan has been rescheduled, possibly to incorporate other debts. The increase in revenue during the first four years at SMS was greater than the cost of the place. In my view it is down to complete financial mis-management, not the cost of SMS. Or am I missing something?

Pompey's problem is the same as ours was this time last year - large debt, poorly run club, disillusioned players. Anyone buying the club would be taking on the existing debt. It's quite clear that the current owner isn't putting any of his money in - he's probably got more sense. In the same way that no-one would buy us in these circumstances, I can't see anyone taking on Pompey. They are likely to go into Administration and someone will then buy them for a lot less money and with no ongoing debt. Sound familiar? They will survive, but we will be passing them on the way up in the next season or two.

1-0 at the Dell in the 73-74 relegation season - Channon penalty. Shankly wasn't happy!

I don't really care who the new owner is. as long as they: 1. Balance the books 2. Make sensible decisions about appointing manager and signiing players 3. Treat the players, staff and supporters with respect 4. Communicate openly and honestly 5. Aren't Rupert Lowe Not sure that is too much to ask. I can't see anyone throwing lots of money at the club, as long as we can start again with a clean slate and build from the bottom up.

There will be a presentation to the Doncster chairman before the game of a picture of some bloke holding a cup. Apparently we have nowhere left to hang it. (pinched from the 606 message board)

I came away from the game knowing that I would be watching League 1 football next season. In previous relegation battles there have been players that were prepared to scrap for points. The heads went down 30 minutes from the end of today's game, even before Forest's second goal. I can't see this group of youngsters and old players having the fight. Just when we thought that it couldn't get worse than last season, it has.

It may have been the Jeremy Butler book on Le Tissier. I made the mistake of getting it out of the library. I gave up after three chapters as it was so badly written. Hopefully whoever ghost writes this book will do a better job.